Cool Weather Makes Inspiration Burn Brighter at Midyear Retreat
The weather may have been chilly, but the fires of creativity warmed attendees of the Midyear Retreat for Teaching American History in South Carolina (TAH). TAH teachers gathered from across the state at Folly Beach to reflect upon the past summer's institutes and to share how the strategies and resources offered had affected their teaching styles.
The retreat began with an informal reception the evening of January 17, but launched full swing into the spirit of events early the next morning. Professor Larry Nelson of Francis Marion University, the projects Master Scholar, welcomed attendees with some brief remarks concerning the importance placed upon education by past Americans such as Thomas Jefferson and Frederick Douglass. TAH teachers then broke into small peer groups to share lesson ideas, teaching strategies, and challenges encountered in the classroom. Each small group contained moderators, who were drawn from representatives of partnering cultural institutions, TAH project steering committee members, and TAH Master Teachers. With help from a timeline posted on the wall, teachers displayed the lessons they created since the 2002 Summer Institutes. Moderators then focused discussion around the theme"How has your teaching changed since the 2002 Summer Institutes"? Teachers shared how the institutes influenced their teaching in the areas of content, methods, and resources. The results of these discussions were posted on display boards around the room.
After lunch, James Bryan of the State Department of Education gave an informative presentation on the social studies PACT assessments to be held this spring. Directly after this presentation, teachers divided into regional groups to share teaching portfolios and bring and brag projects with their classmates and Master Teachers from the past summer. Dr. Nelson visited each group to address any pithy historical conundrums, which may have been unearthed since the end of the summer institutes. Master Teachers offered final thoughts, and attendees completed evaluations of the 2002 Summer Institutes.
Near the end of the day, the attendees all gathered together again for closing remarks by Dr. Nelson. A closing ceremony followed where teachers received certificates signifying the successful completion of the 2002 Summer Institutes. (Was that a tear in Dr. Nelson's eye?) TAH Project Director Marshall Angle then presented a short slide program that highlighted participants and experiences from the summer. Marshall thanked all present for their participation and for making TAH's first year a success. Marshall stressed that TAH is an ongoing project, so teachers should feel free to contact TAH staff, particularly the graduate research assistants, for help in finding resources that will continue to make their lesson plans come alive in the classroom. With the formal agenda completed, attendees enjoyed a spicy lowcountry boil. Best wishes and good-byes were exchanged, and the TAH class of 2002-2003 departed to continue its work in the schools and classrooms of South Carolina.