Outreach and Professional Development

Are you a relatively new History Day teacher or a veteran in need of a refresher course? The Maryland History Day team is here to help you!

Outreach Coordinator Grace Leatherman is just an email away! She is happy to come visit your class to introduce Maryland History Day, or to help your students sharpen their existing skills. Resource teachers and administrators can schedule professional development sessions for their teachers by contacting Grace through the forms below.

Teaching with Primary Sources

Inquiry Kits for Social Studies and History Units

Explore this collection of inquiry kits that allows students to select a research topic of interest and evaluate themed primary sources from the Library of Congress. From life in the early American colonies to the modern-day role of the United States, the inquiry kits examine social studies/history themes and align to Maryland curriculum units.

Funded by a grant from the Library of Congress, Maryland Humanities and Maryland Public Television developed the Teaching with Primary Sources Inquiry Kits and Research Learning Modules to support K-12 educators and students.

View the inquiry kits

Maryland Humanities Summer Teacher Institutes

Through a grant from the Library of Congress, Maryland Humanities is pleased to offer the following Teaching with Primary Sources summer institutes. Please apply for one of the following institutes. Space is limited, and successful applicants will be notified.

 

Primary Sources and Project-Based Learning: A Summer Institute at Salisbury University: July 10-14

  • Funded by a grant from the Library of Congress, Maryland Humanities presents a free Teaching with Primary Sources Summer Institute at Salisbury University. K-12 teachers are invited to join Maryland History Day staff and Salisbury University faculty from July 10th to July 14th for a hands-on research experience. We will focus on making historical research accessible to all learners. Choose a research topic and explore primary sources from the Library of Congress and the Edward H. Nabb Research Center for Delmarva History and Culture. Explore local history at the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Visitor Center and the Assateague Island National Seashore. Attend a Chautauqua living history performance at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum, and complete your own mini research project to take back to your classroom. Learn about free teaching resources including TPS Primary Source Inquiry Kits developed in partnership with Maryland Humanities, Maryland Public Television, and the Maryland State Department of Education. Participants will receive three MSDE credits and complimentary breakfast and lunch every day, as well as a $50 travel stipend. Three graduate credits will be available for an additional fee. On-campus housing will be available for $30 a night.

Primary Sources and Project-Based Learning: A Hybrid Summer Institute at the National Archives in College Park: July 24-28

  • Funded by a grant from the Library of Congress, Maryland Humanities presents a free Teaching with Primary Sources Summer Institute at the National Archives at College Park, MD. K-12 teachers are invited to join us from July 24th to July 28th for a hands-on research experience. We will focus on making historical research accessible to all learners. Participants will spend three days at the archives, and will participate remotely for two days. Choose a research topic and explore primary sources from the Library of Congress and the National Archives. Explore Archives II, work with electronic resources, learn about the National History Day 2018 theme, and complete your own mini research project to take back to your classroom.  Learn about teaching resources including DocsTeach and TPS Primary Source Inquiry Kits developed in partnership with Maryland Humanities, Maryland Public Television, and the Maryland State Department of Education. Participants will receive three MSDE credits and complimentary breakfast and lunch every day. Please note that if you took a National Archives Teacher Institute last summer, you may not receive the MSDE credit twice.
Sign up for Maryland Humanities Summer Teacher Institutes

Courses

Topic Description Length
Introduction to Maryland History Day Teachers will learn how to implement History Day in the classroom. They will review and discuss basic information on how to use the program. Teachers will also practice analyzing primary sources from the Library of Congress. 45-90 minutes
Analyzing Documents through Project Based Learning: Maryland History Day in the Classroom This 3 CPD credit online Thinkport course is an in-depth look at how to use the Maryland History Day program to increase student analysis skills. Teachers will produce a History Day project themselves, while creating a master plan for using Maryland History Day in their own classrooms. 8 weeks
Local Connection: Analyzing Documents in Maryland History Available as a short session, using Library of Congress resources, or as day-long PD session with multiple local experts. 45 mins-4 hours
Analyzing Historical Documents with English Language Learners and Emerging Readers: Using Maryland History Day in the Classroom Learn tips on using Maryland History Day to engage English Language Learners and Emerging Readers in document analysis. Teacher resources will be provided. 45-90 minutes
Primary Documents and Project Based Learning: Special Topics Teachers will analyze Library of Congress primary sources related to one particular subject. They will discuss how to use such sources in their classroom, and how students can create projects based on primary sources. 45-90 minutes
Maryland History Day: Advanced Explore Maryland History Day in depth with Outreach Coordinator Grace Leatherman.
Discuss tips for developing topics, research, writing theses, and creating projects.		 45-90 minutes. Also available as an all day workshop.
Sign up for Professional Development
Sign up for Maryland History Day Outreach

  • “My students became more competent researchers, and took ownership of their work. They had total free reign to choose their topic, direct their research, and create their final project.”

    ​Maryland History Day 2015 Teacher

  • “The thing that had the most impact were the skills that I got from this project. I developed better hunting skills in terms of looking for reliable sources and I also learned to work hard and not procrastinate to achieve something great.”

    Maryland History Day student participant

  • “I had never done anything like this before so it was a totally new experience to write a paper, be interviewed, and defend my positions. I now really know how to do research and it has improved my writing skills.”

    ​Maryland History Day student

  • “I had never done anything like this before so it was a totally new experience to write a paper, be interviewed, and defend my positions. I now really know how to do research and it has improved my writing skills.”

    ​Maryland History Day 2015 Student

  • “[The students] learned a variety of ways to present their material and they could focus on what they wanted to learn about. The students had a choice in their learning. It was about their learning NOT what someone else felt they need to learn.”

    ​Maryland History Day teacher

  • “[My son] became a real expert in his topic and, he says, developed a life-long love of history, especially the history of music. I cannot thank you enough for this rare and incredible opportunity.”

    Andrea LeWinter, parent of Maryland History Day participant

  • “Maryland History Day challenged my daughter to go deeper, deeper in research analysis and presentation. It took her to a whole new level academically.”

    ​Maryland History Day parent

  • “The students are now far more prepared for the high level of scholarship and achievement that will be expected of them in future years. MHD also elevated many other skills too. These include public speaking, the use of technology, learning to collaborate.”

    ​Maryland History Day teacher

  • “I think the continual process of improving her research and presentation through the various levels of competition has been incredibly valuable. It has caused her to dig deeper in her research and build upon and refine her work and presentation.”

    ​Maryland History Day parent

  • “MHD illustrated the applicability of the study of history to contemporary issues and current events. It was very motivating to converse with the students about their historical topic and observe how they applied it to current events and their own life circumstances.”

    ​Maryland History Day parent

  • I’ve loved judging! It’s exciting to see the passion the middle schoolers have put in their projects. I hope that my critiques have helped strive for excellence throughout their lives.

    Dee Krasnansky, Maryland History Day Judge

  • “The researching and communicating skills have made me a more confident person in all academic endeavors. These are skills that will last me a lifetime.”

    ​Maryland History Day student participant

  • “The part of History Day that had the most impact on me was seeing all the other entries and entry categories. It was really inspiring to see so many different people of history honored for their leadership and legacy as that was this years theme. You forget that the whole world has a history and there are so many different people and leaders who make up that history. The fact that this day brings together all of us students, our imaginations, our creativity, research skills, and history really reminds you how much of us would be lost if we didn’t remember those who made an impact.”

    ​Maryland History Day student participant

  • “By using a variety of sources, I was able to get angles on my topic that I wasn’t able to before. Also, I learned so much about a topic near and dear to my heart that will enrich my learning later in life.”

    Maryland History Day 2015 Student

  • “It provided an opportunity for my child to learn through experiential opportunities. He had interviews and tours that were relevant to his topic that helped the history come alive and create unforgettable memories.”

    Maryland History Day 2015 Parent
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About Us
Maryland Humanities is a statewide, educational nonprofit organization that creates and supports educational experiences in the humanities that inspire all Marylanders to embrace lifelong learning, exchange ideas openly, and enrich their communities.
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