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Crossroads of History


Course
Michael Higley
Free
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Crossroads of History: Using primary sources and social justice standards to correct course on equity and inclusion. This course will facilitate a careful, reversed chronological examination of social justice and civil rights incidents in U.S. history that mirror each other over time. The goal of the Crossroads of History project is to provide entry points for those involved in education in and outside of formal classroom settings to use primary sources and social justice standards to conduct meaningful dialog, learn and develop historical inquires, and inspire informed actions that give voice to marginalized communities.

Crossroads of History

Crossroads of History image header.

 

NCCE’s Crossroads of History Project is sponsored in part by the Library of Congress (subsequently referred to as “the Library”) Teaching with Primary Sources (TPS) Western Region Program, coordinated by the Metropolitan State University of Denver. This project allows learners to use primary sources and social justice standards to conduct meaningful dialog, learn and develop historical inquiries, and inspire informed actions that give voice to marginalized communities.

 

Crossroads of History is a completely virtual professional learning experience for educators across the spectrum including:

  • PreK-16 educational professionals including pre-service teachers
  • Public librarians and leaders of tribal youth groups, faith-based youth groups, Boys and Girls Clubs, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, before and after school programs, adult education leadership programs, and other “outside of the classroom” programs.

Participants:

  • Will be recognized by NCCE as a Crossroads of History project participant;
  • Will be enrolled in the Crossroads of History Educator community with access to peer-to-peer networks and coaching;
  • Will be eligible for university credit or Washington State Clock Hours;
  • Will receive a certificate of completion and be highlighted by NCCE via social media; and
  • Have an opportunity to be featured on the NCCE blog and on social media outlets.

Crossroads of History Project

This fully online experience is comprised of training using best practices in synchronous and asynchronous learning and work time, guidance, and reflection. The culmination of the project is the creation of an activity plan to put into practice and to share with other educators.   

Crossroads of History Overview

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Phase 1 — Self-Paced Activities (1-2 hours)

Lessons to be completed at the participants’ own pace learning about the Library, primary sources, and project details. Participants will:  

  • Identify the marginalized population that will be the focus of their lesson/activity as well as a specific time period or event that impacted that community and how it relates to current events.
  • Be introduced to the Library resources, trained on how to access and search for primary sources related to the specific population and/or historical events that will be the focus of their activities.
Group

Phase 2 — Synchronous Group Meeting (2-4 hours)

Introduction to cohort members, information including project goals and expectations, further training on accessing relevant primary sources, activity plan development, and peer-to–peer facilitated discussions.

Participants will:  

  • Build connections with fellow cohort members to establish collaborative relationships for future planning and resource sharing.
  • Trainer assistance in narrowing focus topic in relation to use of Library of Congress resources for research.  Trainers give general instruction accessing resources as well as specific focused instruction on use of databases to assist in research based on cohort members needs.
Group

Phase 3 — Synchronous Group Meeting (1-2 hours)

Library of Congress review, sharing of findings, check-in for progress on research, peer discussions, instructional coaching as needed.

Participants will:  

  • Focused training and troubleshooting with cohort members on Library of Congress resource usage.  Collaborative relationships between members to strengthen resource sharing and knowledge for activity plan development.
  • Status update from each member on research progress, narrowing their search and integrating primary sources to their activity plans.
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Phase 4 — Self-paced Activities (2-4 hours)

Continued project research and development culminating in posting activity plan for peer review/feedback and revision.

Participants will:  

  • Utilizing primary sources to continue higher level research.
  • Activity plan drafted and submitted for collaborative review among trainer and cohort group peers.
Group

Phase 5 — Synchronous Group Meeting (2-4 hours)

Activity/Lesson plan sharing and collaboration to develop and solidify the plan.

Participants will:  

  • Presentation of activity plans to peer cohort members and trainer, group discussion and revision through collaboration.
  • Edit activity plan with special consideration give to correct citation of primary sources.
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Phase 6 — Activity Plan Submission and Implementation

Participants will share completed activity plans to the Creative Commons OER hub and the C3 Teacher Inquiry Website, the TPS Teachers Network, publications, and TPS events when possible. Finally, participants will implement the activity plan and share results of implementation with the Crossroads of History community. Participants will:  

  • Submit completed activity plans for publication.
  • Present activity plans to intended audience of learners, with formative survey and report shared with the Crossroads of History community.

 Contact Shannon Davenport to discuss options for your school or district.  

Here is the course outline:

Welcome and Introduction

To begin this course, please read all information in this Welcome and Introduction module. Here you will learn more about the course overview, you will meet the curriculum development team, and you will learn more about next steps.

Phase 1 - Self-Paced Activities (1-2 hours)

In this phase, participants will work at their own pace learning about the Library of Congress, primary sources, and project details.

Phase 2 - Synchronous Group Meeting (2-4 hours)

In this phase, participants will be introduced to other cohort members, information including project goals and expectations, further training expectations on accessing relevant primary sources, activity plan development, and peer-to–peer facilitated discussions.

Phase 3 - Synchronous Group Meeting (1-2 hours)

In this phase, participants will review resources from the Library of Congress, share findings, check-in for progress on research, peer discussions, instructional coaching as needed.

Phase 4 - Self-paced Activities (2-4 hours)

In this phase, participants will continue project research and development culminating in posting activity plan for peer review/feedback and revision.

Phase 5 - Synchronous Group Meeting (2-4 hours)

In this phase, participants will work on a revised activity plan sharing, collaboration, discussion dedicated to sharing plans including collaborating and asking questions to develop and solidify the plan.

Phase 6 - Activity/Lesson Plan Submission

In this phase, participants will share completed activity plans to the Creative Commons OER hub and the C3 Teacher Inquiry Website, the TPS Teachers Network, publications, and TPS events when possible. Finally, participants will implement the activity plan and share results of implementation with the Crossroads of History community.
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