Participant's Guide to the
Colonial Williamsburg Teacher Institute
2012

What to Read

Elementary School Program

In addition to reading the two selections above, please take a few moments to reflect on and answer the following question: What does it mean to you to be a United States citizen, or in other words, How would you define the character of a United States citizen? Please bring your written answer (on a 4" x 6" index card) with you to the orientation session on the first night.

You may also want to visit the 18th-century town of Williamsburg online at Tour the Town. From the comfort of your computer, you may enter the Capitol, the Governor’s Palace, the Courthouse, the Magazine, trade shops, and many other establishments to learn about the birthplace of the American Revolution. Other spots of interest on the Web site include Meet the People, See the Places, and Experience the Life.

You may also wish to take a look at our suggested elementary school program reading list.

In addition, be sure to check with your local school district for its requirements to receive professional development credit (continuing education credit, clock hours, professional development hours, etc.) for your participation. Teacher Institute will provide a schedule of events and a certificate of completion as proof of your participation. However, if additional paperwork is required (if The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation needs to submit paperwork to be an approved provider in your district or state), please contact us 60 days prior to your arrival to confirm what needs to be done. We cannot guarantee that your school district will accept your time spent in Williamsburg if you contact them after you have attended.

Middle/High School Program

In your orientation packet, you will receive the Official Guide to Colonial Williamsburg, The American Revolution: A History, and articles from the journal, Social Studies. These articles form the foundation for Colonial Williamsburg’s Idea of America, a fully digital American history curriculum that shapes the way we present content during the Institute. Please read these articles carefully before your arrival in Williamsburg.

In addition to reading the two selections above, please take a few moments to reflect on and answer the following question: What does it mean to you to be a United States citizen, or in other words, How would you define the character of a United States citizen? Please bring your written answer (on a 4" x 6" index card) with you to the orientation session on the first night.

You may also want to take a few moments to visit the 18th-century town of Williamsburg online at Tour the Town. From the comfort of your computer, you may enter the Capitol, the Governor’s Palace, the Courthouse, the Magazine, trade shops, and many other establishments to learn about the birthplace of the American Revolution. Other spots of interest on the Web site include Meet the People, See the Places, and Experience the Life.

You may wish to take a look at our suggested middle/high school program reading list.

In addition, be sure to check with your local school district for its requirements to receive professional development credit (continuing education credit, clock hours, professional development hours, etc.) for your participation. Teacher Institute will provide a schedule of events and a certificate of completion as proof of your participation. However, if additional paperwork is required (if The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation needs to submit paperwork to be an approved provider in your district or state), please contact us 60 days prior to your arrival to confirm what needs to be done. We cannot guarantee that your school district will accept your time spent in Williamsburg if you contact them after you have attended.

High School Program

[Note: The High School Program has a much broader scope than the Middle/High School Program in that it deals with content from 1607 through the Vietnam War.]

In your orientation packet, you will receive the Official Guide to Colonial Williamsburg, The American Revolution: A History, and articles from the journal, Social Studies. These articles form the foundation for Colonial Williamsburg’s Idea of America, a fully digital American history curriculum that will shape the way we present content during the Institute. Please read these articles carefully before arrival in Williamsburg.

You may wish to take a look at our suggested high school program reading list.

In addition, be sure to check with your local school district for its requirements to receive professional development credit (continuing education credit, clock hours, professional development hours, etc.) for your participation. Teacher Institute will provide a schedule of events and a certificate of completion as proof of your participation. However, if additional paperwork is required (if The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation needs to submit paperwork to be an approved provider in your district or state), please contact us 60 days prior to your arrival to confirm what needs to be done. We cannot guarantee that your school district will accept your time spent in Williamsburg if you contact them after you have attended.