Workshop for Civics, Government, and History Teachers
The Salmon P. Chase Center for Civics, Culture, and Society at The Ohio State University is offering a week of professional development on the Declaration of Independence for civics, government, and history teachers across the country. These workshops coincide with the United States Semiquincentennial, the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
Sessions will include lectures from experts on the American Founding, discussion of strategies for teaching the Declaration, and simulation exercises on the Second Continental Congress. By pairing high-quality content instruction with experiential learning, these workshops will increase American teachers’ knowledge of and appreciation for the key texts and events that have shaped this nation’s history.
This opportunity is designed for high school teachers but will also benefit educators from third through eighth grade, who are eligible to apply.
Agenda
Monday | Foundations: Context and Origins
7:30 a.m. – Staybridge shuttle to venue
8 a.m. – Arrival, check in, breakfast
9 a.m. – Welcome and introduction activity
10:30 a.m. – Break
10:45 a.m. – Political and Social Context, 1763-1775
Noon – Lunch
1 p.m. – Military Context, 1774–1776
2:15 p.m. – Political Context Part II, 1775–1776
3:30 p.m. – Break
3:45 p.m. – Intro to Simulated Continental Congress
5 p.m. – Staybridge shuttle to hotel
6 p.m. – Welcome dinner
Tuesday | Ideas and Simulation
7:30 a.m. – Staybridge shuttle to venue
8 a.m. – Arrival, check in, breakfast
9:00 a.m. – Philosophical Influences: Locke and Paine
10:15 a.m. – Break
10:30 a.m. – Work Time: Continental Congress
Noon – Lunch
1 p.m. – Continental Congress Debate with Breaks
4:30 p.m. – Staybridge shuttle to hotel
Wednesday | Debate and Decision
7:30 a.m. – Staybridge shuttle to venue
8 a.m. – Arrival, check in, breakfast
9 a.m. – Continental Congress Debate (Part 2: Closing Statements and Vote)
10:15 a.m. – Break
10:30 a.m. – Reflection: Decision and Outcomes
Noon – Lunch
12:30 p.m. – Travel to and tour of the Supreme Court of Ohio
2 p.m. – Art Museum visit and exploration
4:30 p.m. – Ohio State bus to hotel
Thursday | Legacy and Field Study
7:30 a.m. – Staybridge shuttle to venue
8 a.m. – Arrival, check in, breakfast
9 a.m. – The Declaration as a Document
10:15 a.m. – Break
10:30 a.m. – What Happened Next: Immediate Aftermath
Noon – Lunch
1 p.m. – 19th-Century Repercussions
2:15 p.m. – Break
2:30 p.m. – The Declaration in the 20th Century and Today
3:45 p.m. – Free Time on the Oval, Lots to Do
5 p.m. – Staybridge shuttle to hotel
Friday | Reactions and Reflections (No Friday Session on Juneteenth)
7:30 a.m. – Staybridge shuttle to venue
8 a.m. – Arrival, check in, breakfast
9 a.m. – Feedback, Ideas, and Suggestions for Teaching the Declaration
10:15 a.m. – Break
10:30 a.m. – Final Reflection and Workshop Synthesis
Noon – Lunch and adjourn
1 p.m. – Shuttle to Airport/Hotel
Includes a $1,000 stipend plus funds for travel, lodging, and meals
Participating teachers will receive a $1,000 stipend in addition to travel compensation, lodging, and meals during their time in Columbus. Teachers will also receive a free, three-week unit plan on the Declaration of Independence that they can implement in their classrooms.
Choose from three weeklong sessions
The Chase Center will offer these workshops three times this summer: June 7-12, June 14-19, and June 21-26. The sessions will be held at The Fawcett Center at The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio.
Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until May 15 until all slots are filled. Note that space is limited to 50 educators for each weeklong session.
Questions
Have questions about registration, lodging, travel, or other topics? Email us today!
Funding support for this program
This program is possible thanks to a generous grant from the U.S. Department of Education.