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This fall, Humanities Texas will offer online teacher professional development programs on the speeches of Abraham Lincoln
(November 9) and Martin Luther King Jr. (November 30) and an in-person workshop in Houston on teaching drama (December 1).
All programs will emphasize close interaction with scholars, the examination of primary sources and texts, and the development of effective pedagogical strategies and engaging assignments and activities.
Teaching the Speeches of Abraham Lincoln (Webinar)
"Teaching the Speeches of Abraham Lincoln" will take place over Zoom from 5–6:15 p.m. on Wednesday, November 9. The webinar will offer specific suggestions for teaching Lincoln's most significant oratorical works—including his first and second inaugural addresses and the Gettysburg Address—focusing on their historical context and the rhetorical strategies deployed. The program will consider these speeches' role in Lincoln's legacy and highlight the most important takeaways for middle and high school students. Randall Fuller (University of Kansas) will lead the webinar.
Teaching the Speeches of Martin Luther King Jr. (Webinar)
"Teaching the Speeches of Martin Luther King Jr." will take place over Zoom from 5–6:15 p.m. on Wednesday, November 30. The webinar will offer specific suggestions for teaching King's most significant oratorical works—including his "I Have a Dream" speech—focusing on their historical context and the rhetorical strategies deployed. The program will consider these speeches' role in King's legacy and highlight the most important takeaways for middle and high school students. Aram Goudsouzian (University of Memphis) will lead the webinar.
Teaching Drama (In-Person Workshop)
"Teaching Drama" will take place in Houston on Thursday, December 1. Focusing on ancient Greek, Shakespearean, and American plays, the workshop will provide multiple approaches for generating student interest in and understanding of drama. The program faculty includes Alexander Pettit (University of North Texas) and Deborah Beck, Douglas Bruster, and Samantha Pinto of The University of Texas at Austin.
The one-day workshop and webinars are open to all middle and high school social studies, language arts, and humanities teachers but will focus on topics and skills central to the state's secondary-level U.S. history, Texas history, and language arts curricula. Priority consideration will be given to early-career teachers in low-performing schools and districts.
More information about each program is available in the Education section of the Humanities Texas website. Teachers interested in attending should submit an application as soon as possible, as admissions are rolling and space is limited.
Participants will receive CPE credit and a wealth of curricular materials. CPE hours will be based on attendance and adjusted if a participant misses any portion of the program.
Please note that due to space limitations, you must be a registered participant to attend any of the in-person workshops.
These programs are made possible with major funding from the State of Texas with ongoing support from the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Inauguration of President Lincoln, 1861. Prints and Photographs Division, Library of Congress.
People gather around the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool during the March on Washington, August 28, 1963. Records of the U.S. Information Agency, 1900-2003. National Archives and Records Administration.
Title page of Mr. William Shakespeares comedies, histories, & tragedies with copper engraving of the author by Martin Droeshout. Folger Shakespeare Library Digital Image Collection.