Empowering Young Learners to Solve the Mysteries of History Through Inquiry

February 24, 2021 ~ 7:30pm ET

Educators will be introduced to History’s Mysteries Curriculum and the methodology of teaching with historical inquiry using primary sources. History’s Mysteries uses primary sources to engage students in important stories not often explored in elementary curriculum. Educators will have the opportunity to explore different aspects of the curriculum and ask questions of developers, Laurie Risler and Kelley Brown. All materials are free, adaptable, and ready to use.

Laurie Risler is a former elementary school teacher. She now teaches education courses at Westfield State University. She has co-led professional development programs in history for the Collaborative for Educational Services since 2011, including as a coach for the Library of Congress Teaching with Primary Sources Program at CES. She served as Teacher in Residence at Westfield State University 2012-2013.

Kelley Brown is past head of the Social Studies Department at Easthampton High School. Since 2006, she has led high school teacher instruction in History for the Massachusetts Department of Youth Services and for Emerging America TAH. She was the 2010 Massachusetts History Teacher of the Year and the 2016 recipient of the Don Salvucci Award for Excellence in Promoting Civics Education from the Massachusetts Council for the Social Studies.