Social Studies 

Presenters: Sean Conlon & Christine Massaro

Tentatively Scheduled for March 24, 2026 AND April 22, 2026

Recommended for Educators of Grades Pre-K-12

The upcoming 25th anniversary of 9/11 offers a meaningful opportunity for schools to remember and teach about an event that our students - and at this point, even some of our teachers - were not alive for and only experienced and know as a historical event. 

This two-day workshop will provide participants with the opportunity to deepen their own understandings of 9/11 and consider how to best commemorate and teach about the day in age-appropriate ways across classrooms in grades 3-12. 

Day 1: Participants will explore and discuss a variety of 9/11 artifacts, resources, teaching ideas, and instructional techniques, and be introduced to the Inquiry Design Model (IDM) as a strategy for creating inquiry-based mini-units. 

Day 2: Participants will visit the 9/11 Memorial and Museum to further explore 9/11 artifacts and history, and be given a guided historical tour by curator Christine Massaro (NVOT) and then have time to begin to create their own 9/11-focused IDM inquiries, leaving the workshop with deeper knowledge and a plan to commemorate and teach about the 25th anniversary of 9/11 in their own classrooms.

*Note: Participants are responsible for their own transportation and costs. Timing of the Day 2 visit is TBD.

Presenter: Damon Affinito

Tentatively Scheduled for November 25, 2025

Recommended for Educators of Grades 5-12

How did General George Washington use March 17 as an opportunity to increase soldier morale during the American Revolution? Why did Southerners refuse to celebrate Thanksgiving for much of the Nineteenth Century? What were the ebbs and flows of Juneteenth celebrations throughout the Twentieth Century? How did one of the largest hangings in American history and a violent strike lead to the creation of new federal holidays?

 "Holiday History" will examine the social, cultural, political, and religious forces that shaped five distinctly American holidays: St. Patrick's Day, Thanksgiving, Juneteenth, Columbus Day, and Labor Day. Through interactive discussions and examination of primary sources, this workshop will increase historical knowledge and will provide classroom resources for history teachers.

Presenter: Jeff Krapels

Tentatively Scheduled for October 1, 2025

Recommended for Educators of Grades 6-12

In this transformative workshop, participants will learn how to integrate writing into social studies curricula to engage students in the authentic work of historians. Teachers will explore strategies to help students develop insightful questions, plan inquiries, and gather and evaluate diverse sources. Additionally, educators will learn effective methods of assessment to measure student progress and build on interdisciplinary skills, enhancing both critical thinking and communication abilities. By guiding students in constructing evidence-based arguments and engaging in civil discourse, this workshop empowers teachers to provide opportunities for students to connect historical and contemporary issues, preparing them for active, informed citizenship in a democratic society.