Workshop Descriptions

Civil War: A Connecticut River Valley Perspective

Soldiers, farmers, Sanitation Commission Volunteers, wives, mothers, and children of the central Connecticut River Valley: the fighting was far away, but the Civil War affected them all.  This workshop connects participants to resources that help educators and their students better understand the Civil War and its local impact.  This interactive, hands-on workshop

Features an introduction to Civil-War-related items in the Memorial Hall Museum collection, the American Centuries website (www.americancenturies.mass.edu), and a Civil War traveling history kit for the classroom. Grades 8-12

Addresses Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks for History and Social Science; English

Early American Textbooks: “Truth or Tall Tales”

Early schoolbooks were one of very few windows into the world for children in the 18^th and 19^th centuries.  Schoolbooks give a unique look over time of how America saw itself and the rest of the world and how it expected her children to see things.  It is helpful to have students evaluate textbooks to understand that information presented as “factual” may contain misinformation, bias, and stereotypes. Grades K-12

Addresses Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks for  History and Social Science; Mathematics

Native Responses to Forced Assimilation: The Stories of Angel De Cora and Zitkala-Sa

Many Native American children in the late 19^th century were forced to attend schools far from home, where they were taught to forget their past and learn to live in White society.  We will take a close look at the lives, accomplishments, and reactions to this style of education by focusing on two of these students, Angel De Cora, a noted illustrator and the first “woman of color” to graduate from Smith College; and Zitkala Sha, a writer, editor, musician and activist.  Grades 3-12

Addresses Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks for English Language Arts; History and Social Science 

Picturing the Past: A Review of Historical Picture Books for Children

Come enjoy a review of what’s new in children’s historical picture books.  This workshop offers a review of newly released books, as well as some lesser-known favorites.  Participants will receive a bibliography of books covered in the review. Grades K-6

Addresses Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks for History and Social Science; English Language Arts

 “Truth” in Advertising

We will focus on reading and analyzing primary source documents and making informed inferences from them.  The availability of printed material during the beginning of the Republic changed the way citizens of the new American nation communicated with each other.  The advertisements from Greenfield papers from 1790-1820 reflect changes in politics and the economy.  Participants will work with these ads in lessons they can use with students.  Grades 5-12

Addresses Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks for History and Social Science

Westfield State College Locations:

Scanlon Hall – 577 Western Avenue – Banquet, Parlor, and Living Room locations

Administrative Building, 333 Western Avenue – Room A, basement

Directions to Westfield State College

From the North:

- Take Interstate 91 South.

- Get off I-91 at Exit 14, which is I-90/Mass. Pike.

- Take Mass. Pike West five miles to Exit 3 (Westfield).

- Turn right onto routes 10/202 South, travel for about two miles through town to the Westfield Public Library (on your right).

- Turn right onto Court street/Western Avenue for 2.5 miles.

- Westfield State College is on your right.

From the South:

- Take Interstate 91 North.

- Follow directions from above.

From the East:

- Travel to I-90/Mass. Pike until you reach Exit 3.

- Follow directions from above.