July 2008

Upcoming Events

South African Children's Literature Seminar (July 12)
Brazilian Capoeira Family Workshop (August 2)
Chinatown August Moon Festival (August 17)
Primary Source Study Tour Photo Contest

Director Kathy Ennis Named to 21st Century Skills Task Force
The Partnership for 21st Century Skills Task Force was brought together by Board of Elementary and Secondary Education Chairman Paul Reville and will consider how schools can integrate the critical skills students need to succeed in the 21st century economy. Executive Director Kathy Ennis will lead the Teacher Preparation and Professional Development subcommittee.

2007 Annual Report: Bringing the World to New England's Classrooms
Primary Source has just released its 2007 Annual Report, Bringing the World to New England's Classrooms. We are deeply grateful for the continued support of the many individuals and institutions that contributed to the Primary Source Fund in 2007. As a result, Primary Source provided graduate courses, study tours, and in-school workshops to nearly 1800 teachers in the past year, who in turn have reached more than 150,000 students.

Teacher Q&A: Deanne Moore, Hingham High School
Deanne Moore, who teaches English at Hingham High School, has used the resources and knowledge she gained at Primary Source to transform her 10th grade English class into a course on world literature.

"In an English classroom, students can use literature and film as a means of penetrating international boundaries, challenging their own beliefs, complicating their thinking, and reaching a richer understanding of the world that they live in."

Teaching Resource: Mass Moments
Mass Moments, an "electronic almanac of Massachusetts history" created by the Massachusetts Foundation for the Humanities, is a rich resource for K-12 educators. In particular, the Teachers' Features section of the site includes a wealth of teaching ideas and materials.

Massachusetts Cultural Council Provides Vital Organizational Support
Continued operational support from the Massachusetts Cultural Council (MCC) enabled Primary Source to expand its use of educational technology and offer a broad array of programs during the 2007-2008 school year.

Primary Source Library's New Resources, Summer Hours
Did you know that the Primary Source Library has 800 films and 6,000 books and curriculum units? The library also offers wireless Internet access and now has access to the Oxford African American Studies Center database. This database offers primary sources, images, maps, full-text biographies, and over 7,500 articles about African American history.