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Professional Development Day:

"Colonial Encounters"

October 25 and 26; November 1 and 2, 2007
Held at Assumption College, La Maison Auditorium
8:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Dr. Walter Woodward, University of Connecticut
Kim VanWormer, Randy Joseph, and Casey Figueroa, Plimoth Plantation
Joe Wieczorek, Pearson Prentice Hall

Dr. Walter Woodward, State Historian of Connecticut, provided an overview of the "push and pull" factors that motivated English colonists to leave their homes and risk their lives in the New World. Dr. Woodward also walked high school teachers through the context and meaning of the Mayflower Compact, a document included on the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks. Plimoth Plantation staff members travelled to Worcester to present workshops on the Wampanoag and English colonists in Plymouth Colony. Kim VanWormer, Randy Joseph, and Casey Figueroa provided context for the interactions between the two cultures, and led elementary school teachers through a session on the only known account of "The First Thanksgiving" as well as sessions on children's games.

8:00 - 8:15 - Welcome and introduction

8:15 - 9:00 - Presentation by Lonnie Kaufman from the University of Massachusetts Donahue Institute

9:00 - 9:05 - Break

9:05 - 9:55 - Overview of Atlantic World by Dr. Walter Woodward to entire group

9:55 - 10:10 - Break

10:10 - 11:00 - Casey Figueroa's presentation on Wampanoag history to entire group

11:00 - 12:00 - Elementary school teachers - Kim VanWormer's presentation on colonial society and Thanksgiving document
High school teachers - Session with Dr. Woodward on documents: Mayflower Compact

12:00 - 12:40 - Lunch in Taylor Dining Hall at Assumption College (#2 on map)

12:40 - 2:00 - Elementary school teachers - Breakout sessions with Plimoth Plantation staff on children's game
High school teachers - Textbook technology training with Prentice Hall

2:00 - 2:30 - Conclusion

For more information, contact:
Amy Lynn Sopcak-Joseph
Education Coordinator
American Antiquarian Society
Worcester, MA 01609
508-471-2129
asopcak[at]mwa.org

Preserving Our Democracy TAH Courses, Saturday Seminars, and Summer Institutes 2007-2010