Teaching with Documents and Works of Art:
An Integrated Approach
What:
A Special Summer Workshop presented by the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), Smithsonian American Art Museum (SAAM), and National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS)
When:
July 23-25, 2008
Where:
National Archives Building and Smithsonian American Art Museum, Washington, DC
Cost:
$200
How to Register:
Visit the web site of the National Council for the Social Studies at
http://www.socialstudies.org/workshops/
More Information:
This two and a half-day workshop will provide a varied program of lectures, demonstrations, collaborative work, and analysis of documents and work of art in order to introduce teachers to the holdings of the National Archives and the Smithsonian American Art Museum. Workshop attendees will participate in and develop classroom activities that utilize both visual images and primary source documents as teaching tools in ways that sharpen students' skills and enthusiasm for history, social studies, and the humanities. The content focus will be on Westward Expansion and the Civil War.
Course Objectives:
- Identify the various types of primary source documents held by the National Archives
- Learn about a wide range of artworks in various media in the collection of the Smithsonian American Art Museum
- Learn, develop, and share exciting methods and materials for teaching with visual images and documents as primary sources
- Describe the opportunities available for educators and students from the National Archives and the Smithsonian American Art Museum (workshops, tours, publications, online resources)
- Have fun!
Tentative Agenda:
| Day 1 (July 23) National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) | |
|---|---|
| 9:00 | Orientation, Introductions, and Overview of the workshop objectives and schedule |
| 9:30 | Visit the Rotunda for the Charters of Freedom |
| 10:00 | View “Democracy Starts Here” film in theater |
| 10:15 | Hands-on workshop: “Strategies for Teaching with Documents” |
| 11:15 | Exploration of the Public Vaults exhibit |
| 12:00 | Lunch |
| 1:00 | Introduction to the holdings of the National Archives |
| 1:30 | Demonstration of NARA web site |
| 2:00 | Special Research experience |
| 3:30 | Group sharing time |
| 4:00 | Conclude for the day |
Day 2 (July 24) Smithsonian American Art Museum (SAAM) |
|
| 9:00 | Orientation and Overview of the Day |
| 9:30 | Lecture: History of Photography Focusing on Western Surveys |
| 10:15 | In-depth Discussion of Selected Works of Art |
| 12:00 | Lunch |
| 1:00 | Integrating Visual Arts as Primary Sources in the Classroom: 3 Models |
| 2:00 | Individual Research and consultation with Museum Staff |
| 3:00 | Lesson Development |
| 4:00 | Summary |
Day 3 (July 25) National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) |
|
| 9:00 | Overview of the Day |
| 9:15 | Lesson Development in small groups (continued from Day 2) |
| 11:00 | Sharing time |
| 12:00 | Evaluations and wrap up |
| 12:30 | Farewell |
