Fulton Teachers Use Original Documents To Create History Lessons

JOHNS CREEK, GA — Fulton County middle school teachers and media and education technology instructors recently took a deep dive into Georgia history using primary sources to learn innovative ways of teaching how our past affects our present.

The humanities and media services departments, along with the FCS Teaching Museum, teamed up to hold a two-day seminar on Teaching with Primary Sources. Funded by the Library of Congress Eastern Region and in partnership with the Atlanta History Center, the High Museum of Art, the National Center for Civil and Human Rights and Georgia State University, 20 participating teachers began work to create 10 model units related to the new Georgia Standards for Excellence for eighth grade social studies.

The focus was on how to incorporate engaging students with authentic artifacts from the past. Hosted by the Atlanta History Center, the seminar included presentations from various experts from the participating organizations as well as utilizing the archives for examination of original documents in the Kenan Research Center.

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The collaboration was created by Fulton County School administrators Crystal Flowers, director of humanities; Jena Sibille, Teaching Museum curator; and Kevin Robinson, program specialist for media services. This work with the TPS architects will continue with three one-day professional development training sessions during the 2018-2019 school year and will result in a digital collection of primary sources searchable by standard for eighth grade Georgia studies.

"This is one of the most beneficial and fun seminars that I have attended in a long while," said Shantae Streeter, who teaches talented and gifted students at Elkins Pointe Middle School. "I left the training feeling very excited about what I learned, what I have access to and what I was able to contribute."

Interested teachers representing middle schools across the district applied and were accepted to the program. Schools represented included Autrey Mill, Bear Creek, Camp Creek, Crabapple, Elkins Pointe, Hopewell, McNair, Paul D. West, Ridgeview Charter, Sandtown, Sandy Springs, Webb Bridge and Woodland middle schools.

Image via Fulton County Schools