Jordan History Academy of Teachers, Jr. (JHAT, Jr.)
History can be easily overlooked in the general instruction common at the elementary level. However, the Jordan History Academy of Teachers, Jr. (JHAT, Jr.) grant seeks to remedy this in four Utah school districts: Jordan, Provo, Murray, and Wasatch.
JHAT, Jr. combines the teaching of history with literacy and the Language Arts Common Core State Standards. It also emphasizes expanding educator content knowledge.
Over the summer, 4th- and 5th-grade educators are invited to attend a 15-day academy. This training session is divided into two portions. Mornings are spent with a guest university professor who focuses on social studies content. Afternoons consider how best to teach the material, with sessions led by a master teacher.
The experience does not end after the academy. Educators receive three years of ongoing support, including reflective exercises, coaching, and more, as well as a field opportunity in Boston and Philadelphia focusing on early U.S history.
The project Wikispace offers resources to the wider public. Here, you can find a list of teaching strategies from "alphaboxes" to "voting with your feet," primary source activity ideas, participant-created lesson plans, and more.
For others looking to take inspiration from the overall project, key strengths include a focus on both content knowledge and teaching strategies, long-term educator support, resources accessible to both participants and visitors, and the combination of language arts and social studies goals.