Project Spotlight
Essential American History [MO]
In St. Louis, Missouri, the three-year Teaching American History (TAH) grant, the Essential American History grant fosters professional development to increase content knowledge and pedagogical skills. Eighth grade teachers focused on the Civil War and Reconstruction.
Lesson plans grew from study tours with scholars from the Civil War Preservation Trust and scholars from the Center for the Study of the Civil War. During the summer of 2007, teachers traveled to Springfield, Illinois for work at the Lincoln Library and Museum. In 2008, highlights included a Civil War Tour to Gettysburg and to Washington, D.C., including Ford's Theatre, Peterson House, and the National Archives.
The outcome? For several teachers, lesson plans focusing on Abraham Lincoln were critical components of Essential American History.
