The five-day institute provides educators with tools and resources to effectively integrate primary sources into the K-12 classroom.
Apply to participate in a Summer Teacher Institute at the Library of Congress if you want to:
- Know how to access primary sources from the Library of Congress.
- Become skilled at analyzing primary sources of different formats.
- Learn various teaching strategies for using primary sources in the classroom.
- Be able to successfully facilitate a primary source-based activity with students.
- Gain knowledge of how to use primary sources to enable students to be engaged, think critically and construct knowledge.
- Develop a Primary Source Activity Plan to implement in your instructional setting.
- Interact with teachers from around the country and exchange ideas.
- Meet the Teaching with Primary Sources blog team.
Teachers and school librarians of all grade levels and curriculum areas are encouraged to apply.
Tuition and materials are provided at no cost to participants. Breakfast and lunch are also provided. However, participants are responsible for transportation to and from the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. and any required overnight accommodations. Interested participants have the option of completing additional requirements (and paying a fee) to earn three graduate credits from George Mason University.
Interested? Check your calendar–Institute dates are listed below.
- June 10-14
- June 17-21
- July 22-26
- July 29-August 2
- August 5-9
The deadline to submit an application is February 4, 2013. Additional information and the application form can be found here!
Comments (28)
Will there be any sessions in the Pacific NW next summer?
You can contact our Teaching with Primary Sources partners in the western part of the United States to learn about the workshops and other professional development programming they offer and if they will be offering anything in the Pacific Northwest. A list of our partners is provided at http://www.loc.gov/teachers/tps/consortium/.
I’m with Arlington Public Schools. Any recertification points awarded with this course?
You will be provided with a certificate of completion indicating the number of instructional hours. Many people will take this to their school districts to show proof of professional development and receive credit toward re-certification. You will need to check with your school district to see if you can receive points for participating in the summer teacher institute.
I went several years ago & was wondering how long you have to wait to apply to go again.
The LOC summer institute is the BEST professional developement I have ever been to.
Thanks Tracy. We are thrilled you enjoyed the institute. If you have participated in the institute in 2010, 2011 or 2012 you cannot apply.
Does the Library of Congress have good primary sources for a high school world history course?
Hi,
You may wish to look at the World Digital Library which includes primary sources from repositories around the world. We’ve highlighted world history sources in several blog posts including Teaching the World and a post specifically on the World Digital Library. You may also wish to explore Chronicling America where there are materials on events around the world and our online exhibitions. Hope this gets you started and if you have more specific questions use our Ask A Librarian Service to contact our reference staff. Good luck.
I am a Speech Language Pathologist working in a K-5 public school. One of my roles is to help diversify lessons for students with language impairments. Would the institute be applicable for my area?
Absolutely. It would be very interesting to see how you might incorporate primary sources into your lessons with your students.
How much is the fee to get credits through George Mason University and are they transferrable?
Additional information can be found on the George Mason University website. Do note that the fees listed ($800 for Virginia residents and $875 for non-residents) reflect the fees for the 2012 summer teacher institute.
I am perusing my degree in education, and I am also currently working as a long term substitute in a special education school in Maryland, am I eligible for this program?
You are certainly welcome to apply for the institute. Good luck with your application.
Hi! Merry Christmas and Happy holidays!
I am an ESL teacher in a international school in DC and a part-time grad student.
Can I participate in this course? Actually, I had taught K-12 in Iran for years.
We have had a number of ESL teachers participate in the institute. I hope you will apply. Happy holidays.
Teachers. Don’t miss this opportunity. As a past participant and U.S. History teacher, I can confidently say that this institute is one of the very best in-service programs I have participated in. The LOC has an outstanding, enthusiastic, and knowledgeable staff. This is well worth your time.
a great institute for teachers, how much for it? ebeauty365
The institute is free but participants must pay for their transportation, lodging and meals while in Washington, D.C.
How soon will we learn if we are accepted into the summer institute?
I believe applicants will learn their status at the end of February or early March.
Hello. My name is Jerry Smith and I am interested in applying for a summer-intership slot.
Possibly some one has found out that they cannot attend and you may have openings.
I have been working as a regular ed. Elementary and a Early childhood education teacher in Prince George’s County, Md. since 1999. That included some time as an inclusion teacher in a special ed. program. This past year I worked as a special ed. teacher in a classroom for students with autism (level 5 regional school) & now finally I have reached my goal for the 2013-2014 school year of teaching, Reading/English/Language Arts as a Special Ed. teacher in a regular ed.
program.
I live in Columbia, MD. so transportation and housing is not a problem.
Is it too late to apply. I am a D.C. school teacher.
Charlene and Jerry,
Thank you for your interest. All of the Institutes are full, but watch this space next December for information about applying to the 2014 Summer Teacher Institutes.
Best,
Cheryl
Perhaps programs can be offered for each state making this service more available to teachers and be able to meet their state requirements for renewal.
Good afternoon,
You may want to look at the activities of the participants in our Teaching with Primary Sources Program. There may be a partner near where you are located who is offering programming that can help you meet your state requirements.
Good luck!
I was wondering if homeschooling parents are able to apply. Thanks in advance.
Yes, home schooling parents are more than welcome to apply. Hope to see you there.