Miller Travel Seminars
Before the travel seminar
1 Attend the March 28th pre-meeting.
2. Read the assigned texts: “John Adams”, “Miracle at
a. Complete learning logs (see template within your workbook) for each chapter of the assigned
texts. Learning logs will be turned into Dr. Gene Sessions.
b. Participate in the ‘Larry H. Miller Foundation Revolutionary War Seminar Blog.’
i. Post comments related to the texts, your curriculum, or respectful responses to other’s comments on the blog. You should make at least two entries per text.
ii. Post your picture in the blog so that participants can come to know you via the blog before the travel seminar.
3. Clear your calendars for Saturday, May 9th (?). Plan on spending part of the day with David McCullough.
4. Choose a group of teachers (3-5) with whom you will work.
a. Collectively select an objective (see “Objectives: Larry H. Miller Revolutionary War Seminar”) about which you will become “experts”.
b. Individually research and write a one page, front & back, informational paper based on your chosen essential question (see “Objectives: Larry H. Miller Revolutionary War Seminar”).
i. Informational papers should include, works cited, and analysis of both primary and secondary sources.
ii. Print and three-hole punch 35 copies of your informational paper.
iii.
During the travel seminar
1. Miller Seminar Journal.
a. Keep your Journal with you at all times.
b. Write regularly in your journal.
i. Journal posts might include: information learned, reflections on your experiences, insights on how you will use the information in your classroom etc…. Journals will also include classroom strategies learned during the seminar.
ii. Journals will not be collected following the travel seminar; they are for your use.
2. Learning log DURING the seminar.
a. Keep your learning log daily during the seminar.
b. Nightly seminar learning logs are different from daily journal posts. Learning logs should include brief reflection on what you learned during the course of the day, as well as how the information could be used in the class room upon returning from the trip.
c. Learning logs will be given to Dr. Session following the travel seminar.
3. Revolutionary War blog DURING the seminar.
a. Post 2-3 comments on the ‘Larry H. Miller Foundation Revolutionary War Seminar Blog.’
b. During the seminar the blog will give us an opportunity to dialogue the experience as a community of learners.
4. Act professionally and participate as engaged learners.
a. Participate actively in all provided learning strategies
b. Be quiet & respectful when others are presenting.
c. Fulfill all of the requirements of the travel seminar.
After the travel seminar
1. Turn in your completed learning logs to Dr. Gene Sessions.
2. AFTER the travel seminar each groups will collectively create, share and model a lesson to teach their chosen objective to students (lessons should be comprehensive and may run for more than one class period)
a. Lessons should utilize supplied planning templates.
b. Lessons should teach the Enduring understanding (objective) by addressing each of the essential questions.
c Lessons should include both formative and summative assessments.
d. Lessons should include a variety of best strategies for both elementary and secondary students.
e. Lessons should include strategies for differentiated learners.
f. Lessons should run the range of Blooms taxonomy both level I and level II.
g. Lessons should include at least four of the Learning Activities identified on the planning template (you may choose to use the supplied strategies and/ or utilize some of your own).
h. Participants should supply soft copies of all learning strategies.
3. Post at least one follow up comment related to your experience on the travel seminar on the ‘Larry H. Miller Foundation Revolutionary War Seminar Blog.’
4. Serve as a resource in your school, district and community to improve the teaching and understanding of the American Revolution from the Boston Massacre to the Constitutional Convention
