This online course provides a theoretical and practical foundation for culturally responsive teaching of English language learners in the elementary school setting. We will examine how young immigrant students experience school; the demographic and diversity profile of Massachusetts districts; cross-cultural communication and its implications for teaching and learning; and effective strategies for schools to engage immigrant and refugee families. You will have the opportunity to reflect on your own teaching practice, apply course skills and strategies, and receive feedback from peers and the instructor.

This course has been approved by the MA DESE to provide 15 PDPs addressing the needs of English language learners.

This online course provides a theoretical and practical foundation for culturally responsive teaching of English language learners in the elementary school setting. We will examine how young immigrant students experience school; the demographic and diversity profile of Massachusetts districts; cross-cultural communication and its implications for teaching and learning; and effective strategies for schools to engage immigrant and refugee families. You will have the opportunity to reflect on your own teaching practice, apply course skills and strategies, and receive feedback from peers and the instructor.

This course has been approved by the MA DESE to provide 15 PDPs addressing the needs of English language learners.

How did British, Spanish, French, African, Indigenous people and others incorporate their cultural roots in the creation of a new society in the lands that became the United States? The 4-week asynchronous online course revisits key moments, movements and developments in the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries to trace a more diverse story of the nation’s beginnings. Learn about topics such as African, Asian and European cultural influences, America’s Revolution through a global and multicultural lens, the global influences of the Declaration of Independence. Developed with support from the Library of Congress’s “Teaching with Primary Sources” program, the course familiarizes you with LoC resources and other best digital history materials. Access to this course and resources will give you the knowledge, tools and resources to teach early American history with global and multicultural perspectives. There are also opportunities for elementary and secondary students to participate through instructional support and differentiated instruction.

Standards:
[5.T1] Early colonization and growth of colonies
[5.T2], Reasons for revolution, the Revolutionary War, and the formation of government
[WHI.T5], Global exploration, conquest, colonization, c. 1492– 1800

Africa has a history of complex societies and rich cultures which has not, traditionally, been appreciated fully despite its deep and lasting contributions to humanity. This 4-week asynchronous online course will illuminate the longevity and dynamism of African civilizations, cultural developments, and connectedness to the world, with an emphasis on sub-Saharan regions. Each of four sessions will trace a different theme across a set of case studies and contexts: geography and environment; trade, exchange and cultural diffusion; knowledge and belief; and social structure and governance. Participants will explore a wealth of new websites and sources for the art, archaeology, technological achievements and literature of pre-modern African societies. Inquiry-centered approaches using interactive maps, material objects, and 3-D archaeological re-creations will also be featured. The course is highly relevant for teachers of geography, world history, ancient societies and world religions. All educators who seek a deeper understanding of Africa’s dynamic history are

Standards:
[6.T3g]Interactions among ancient societies in Western Asia, North Africa, and the Middle East
[6.T4], Sub-Saharan Africa
[WHI.T3], Interactions of kingdoms and empires c. 1000–1500
[WHI.T2] Development and diffusion of religions and systems of belief c. 500 BCE–1200 CE
[WHI.T4] Philosophy, the arts, science and technology c. 1200 to 1700

How can we use digitized primary sources to bring history to life for primary students? This 4-week asynchronous online course introduces elementary educators to exciting instructional practices for their social studies lessons, with a content focus on immigration. Immigration and the development of diverse ethnic communities in the United States are topics addressed in multiple content standards of the elementary curriculum. And in today’s diverse classrooms, understanding immigration–and teaching about it with sensitivity– is a priority for every culturally responsive educator. Immigration history is richly represented in the holdings of the Library of Congress, the funding partner for this course, with print, photographic, early silent film, and audio sources that hold great appeal for elementary learners. Participants will utilize these and other engaging resources that show how our society has been shaped and enriched by newcomers for more than a century.

Standards:
[2.T3.1] Investigate reasons why people migrate (move) to different places around the world, recognizing that some migration is voluntary, some forced
[2.T3.4]  Identify what individuals and families bring with them when they move to a different place and identify the significant impacts of migration
[2.T3.2] Give examples of why the United States is called “a nation of immigrants”
[4.T4a.5] Describe the diverse cultural nature of the region including ….19th and early 20th century immigration by groups
[4.T4.4] Explain that many different groups of people immigrated to the United States from other places voluntarily and some were brought to the United States against their will

In an increasingly globalized and interconnected world, teachers & students must understand and wrestle with topics of global significance in order to successfully learn, collaborate, and lead in the future. This 4-week asynchronous online course offers an introduction to issues that affect the lives and experiences of people living around the world. You will learn about globalization, the environment, and international health as well as the organizations and people who work together to find fair and sustainable solutions to today’s most pressing challenges. Using online resources and readings, scholar videos, and interactive discussion forums, you will collaborate to expand your thinking about global issues and to explore ways to integrate the study of global topics into your teaching. Course highlights include “Featured Teacher” ideas for K-12 classroom application, integration of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, and weekly “web highlight” resources for classroom use.

Standards:
[PS.1] Demonstrate civic knowledge, skills, and dispositions
[PS.3] Organize information and date from multiple primary and secondary sources
[PS.7] Determine next steps and take informed action as appropriate
[WHII.T6] The era of globalization, 1991-present
[WHII.T7] The politics of difference among people: conflicts, genocide, and terrorism
[NML.T1] Freedom of the press and news/media literacy
[NML.T5] Gathering and reporting information using digital media

Research is beginning to recognize Africa and its people as an important historical hub that was critical to the early modern history of four continents. In this 4-week asynchronous online course, we will examine the making of the Atlantic world and the transatlantic slave trade with special attention to African perspectives and experiences. Through readings, activities, collaboration with colleagues and discussion with leading scholars, you will explore the wealth of virtual exhibits, databases, and digital document collections for Black Atlantic history, and will craft a curriculum project for your own classroom

Standards:
[WHI.T1] Dynamic interactions among regions of the world
[WHI.T5] Global exploration, conquest, colonization, c. 1492–1800

This online course provides a theoretical and practical foundation for culturally responsive teaching of English language learners in the elementary school setting. We will examine how young immigrant students experience school; the demographic and diversity profile of Massachusetts districts; cross-cultural communication and its implications for teaching and learning; and effective strategies for schools to engage immigrant and refugee families. You will have the opportunity to reflect on your own teaching practice, apply course skills and strategies, and receive feedback from peers and the instructor.

This course has been approved by the MA DESE to provide 15 PDPs addressing the needs of English language learners.

This online course provides a theoretical and practical foundation for culturally responsive teaching of English language learners in the elementary school setting. We will examine how young immigrant students experience school; the demographic and diversity profile of Massachusetts districts; cross-cultural communication and its implications for teaching and learning; and effective strategies for schools to engage immigrant and refugee families. You will have the opportunity to reflect on your own teaching practice, apply course skills and strategies, and receive feedback from peers and the instructor.

This course has been approved by the MA DESE to provide 15 PDPs addressing the needs of English language learners.

This online course provides a theoretical and practical foundation for culturally responsive teaching of English language learners in the elementary school setting. We will examine how young immigrant students experience school; the demographic and diversity profile of Massachusetts districts; cross-cultural communication and its implications for teaching and learning; and effective strategies for elementary schools to engage immigrant and refugee families. You will have the opportunity to reflect on your own teaching practice, apply course skills and strategies, and receive feedback from peers and the instructor. 

This course has been approved by the MA DESE to provide 15 PDPs addressing the needs of English language learners.