America on the World Stage is a five-year TAH grant project intended to flesh out the book by the same title. As such, the focus is on relationships between events in America and other cultures and legal systems around the world.

The program is divided into annual sets of three modules, each given a different theme. Each module presents the opportunity for educators to attend lectures by authors featured in the book (a selection of which are available as audio online), participate in hands-on history labs, and/or create published curricula. Educators participating in select portions of the modules additionally become eligible for summer travel learning trips.

One of the first and foremost exemplary features of this grant is its inclusive view of educators. This TAH grant does not limit itself to only history teachers. Instead eligible participants include civics, U.S. history, world history, elementary, humanities, and special education teachers, as well as coaches and media center specialists. This wide swath of educational specialists permits an even greater opportunity for learning, as various fields influence the others.

Another item worthy of note is a reward system for participation. Generating consistent and/or impressive participant numbers can be difficult for TAH programs, as they require an additional time commitment within educators’ already quite busy schedules. This program circumvents the issue by offering a generous stipend for teachers publishing curricula developed within one of the modules, as well as the possibility of “unlocking” opportunities for domestic and international travel.

Finally, given that the grant project specifically focuses on international aspects, results, and causes of American history, it seems only appropriate that, in some modules, curriculum development occurs within an international partnership.

Not living in Virginia may make it impossible for you to join the grant program, but it doesn’t keep you from reaping the benefits. Be sure to check the Digital Library, which provides access to lesson plans and lesson plan sets created by educator participants. If you’re looking for plans appropriate for specific grade levels or for the class genre you teach (world history, etc.), be sure to use the left-hand navigation bar.