Pre-AP and Regular Middle Level
American History Curriculum Development and Enhancement Project
Dora Bradley, Project Director
Address:
8020 Toltec Drive
North Little Rock, AR 72116
501-834-7510
SSN 431-06-8762
Proposal Cost $500
September 28, 2002
Pre-AP and Regular Middle Level
American History Curriculum Development and Enhancement Project
I. Abstract
1. Goals addressed: The project will support ACSS’s goal of promoting Social Studies by providing a guideline for curriculum development for American History on the level of middle school.
2. Time period: The project will begin with the school year of 2002 and continue through May of 2003. During that time period, an outline of curriculum activities will be developed and tested. At the end of the program, a report will be written and delivered to the ACSS board. Information and lessons will be available through the ACSS website.
3. Description of the project: Development of a curriculum outline with motivational activities will be written with the express purpose of publication on the Arkansas Council for Social Studies Website. The curriculum design will benefit students of lower reading levels, lower income levels, children of minority backgrounds, and students who are under-achieving but talented students. The grade level for this area is intended for middle school students, 8th graders, in American History.
II. Statement of Need
A. Provide a clear statement of the problem to be addressed and the need for its solution through this project. This should establish connection to the goals of the ACSS, urgency of time, and relevance to social studies education.
Students of middle level school in Arkansas have been receiving progressively lower scores on standardized tests. Students with low reading levels tend to dislike content-area reading and need interesting and motivating activities which promote involvement in learning. The purpose of this project would be to develop interesting and informative lessons for teachers to use for American History students.
B. State the objective of the project. Include numbers of teachers or students that will be impacted.
The purpose of this project would be to develop interesting and informative lessons for teachers to use for American History students. The initial stage of this project will involve teachers from Lakewood Middle School (three) who teach American History in eighth grade. The number of students involved would be approximately 320 students, initially. After the development of the lesson plans and their dispersal on the website, the impact could potentially impact at least 200 teachers and their students.
III. Methodology
Describe in detail how objectives will be met. End with a clear identification of the short and long term end products expected and how they help achieve the goals of the Council. Describe the facilities and equipment required and how these will be provided.
Stage 1
The project director will write an outline of objectives for a year-long survey for American History. During the process, the director will brainstorm ideas for teaching particular topics or lessons and include them in the outline lesson plan draft.
Stage 2
The project director will purchase materials with which to provide basic information regarding American History and the teaching of the subject. Some materials will be purchased with the purpose of providing visual and informational context–images, maps, poems, music, stories, facts about American History. Items which benefit the lesson planning will be noted in detail.
Stage 3
The director will compile a list of resources, websites, books, films, etc., for use on the website.
Lesson plans (approximately fifteen) will be written according to the initial draft outline. As noted, the testing phase will determine whether the lessons will be included within the final draft.
Stage 4
The director will call for suggestions from the ACSS network for contributions, ideas, information, etc. Testing of materials will be done throughout the 2002-3 school year.
Stage 5
A second draft will be sent out via the ACSS digest for criticism of social studies members.
Stage 6
A final draft will be proposed and posted on the ACSS website.
Stage 7
Evaluation process will be conducted periodically (yearly, biannually) to edit the website, add information, and delete outdated data.
Stage 8
A workshop presentation of information will be done in 2003 at the Arkansas Conference on Teaching and during the summer of 2003 at Arkansas workshops regarding the process. Copies of the website, lessons, will be provided to the workshop participants.
IV. Personnel
What Personnel will be included in the project and what are their responsibilities?
At this point, the project director will be the initial contact person and major participant. At a later date, more personnel may be used in workshops, etc.
V. Budget
Outline the cost of the project, categorizing items such as a speakers, supplies, materials, travel, facilities, and equipment. Provide a brief justification for each budget item. Any funds not used for the approved budgeted items will be returned to the Council. Project Directors may file an amended budget if necessary, but must do so prior to the end of the project. Budgeted item changes must be approved by the Grant Director before changes are allowed.
Materials for start-up:
Texts, workbooks, CD’s (list below) app. $400.00
Stipend for project director–planning 00.00 ($300 value)
Testing 00.00 Matching school funds/salary ($46,000)
Webdesign $100 $25.00/hr@ 4 hours ($100)
Collaboration Free (@$25/hr for 25 hours=$1375)
Personal cost of Email/time
ACT Conference Costs $50.00 for two days
Summer workshops (Matching grants)
Mailing costs, printing $125.00
Programs/computers $40.00 Personal Costs of computing
______
$725.00
Matching monies are available through AGA, Humanities council, the History Association, and my personal donations.
VI. Evaluation
State the means by which the Council will know the project has accomplished the objectives. Include copies of evaluative tools: criteria, surveys, evaluations, etc. Include any plans for presentations for the Council members.
The project will be completed, information collated, and prepared for posting via the website by July of 2003.
The workshops will be made available for ACSS in the summer and fall of 2003.
VII. Professional Credit–none available at this time..
VIII. Lesson Plan Development will follow the Arkansas Frameworks.
Resources List and approximate prices
Books:
Days of Destiny $34.95
Let Freedom Ring 24.95
Pack WWII Posters 5. 95
Declaration of Ind. 29.95
Spirit of America 10.00
CDRom Comp US Hist 19.98
US Constitution 2.95
CD/God Bless America 14.99
CD/Great American Songs 29.98
Post Card G Wash LandsDowne .75
Post Card Rosie the Riverter .35
Document of Freedom 6.00 (packet copy of important documents on parchment)
Prsidents of USA 5.00
A People’s History of the US 11. 70
Drawn and Quartered: The Hist of The American Political Cartoons 23.96
Our Nation’s Archive: The Hist of The US in Documents 29.98
Lies 29.00
Don’t Know Much About History 12.00
The Little Big Book of America 17.47
Workbooks:
Graphic Organizer Collection 1.99
Patriotic Places 5.95
U. S. Presidents 6.99
The United States 14.95
U.S. History 7.95
A+ Teaching 19.00
Films * * Incomplete at this state
Posters * * Incomplete at this state
Shipping 8.58
9.75
* * Incomplete at this state
_____
Total App. $400
