On Friday, Aug. 2, the Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) social studies department partnered with the Southern Maryland Equity in History Coalition and the Accokeek Foundation at Piscataway Park to host the third installment of a series of summer institutes for Grades 4-12 teachers in Southern Maryland, the Equity in History Summer Institute.
“Teachers [who attended] learned about the significance of local history from keynote speaker Julia King, Ph.D., anthropology department chair at St. Mary’s College, toured the Land Echoes program at Piscataway Park in Accokeek, met with representatives from a dozen local historical agencies and utilized the Equity Coalition’s new website to access historical resources that highlight the history of Black, Indigenous and other people of color (BIPOC) in Southern Maryland,” Jack Tuttle, CCPS content specialist for social studies, said.
“The Equity in History website provides accessible resources for understanding the contributions of BIPOC populations in Southern Maryland. This will help engage students in local history. The presenters were knowledgeable and have decades of experience,” Nate Mouli, social studies teacher at Maurice J. McDonough High School, said. Teachers are set to implement the resources learned at the summer institute during the 2024-2025 school year by developing classroom lesson plans that highlight contributions of BIPOC in Southern Maryland. Thirty CCPS teachers attended one of the three sessions this summer.
The CCPS social studies program merges instruction on government principles and civics into the curriculum for students in PreK through Grade 12. The content taught at each grade is determined by the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) frameworks for social studies. In PreK through third grade, students learn about civics and government principles such as cooperation, community and problem-solving. Third graders apply their knowledge of these principles to other concepts learned. Fourth- and fifth-grade students then continue to apply their knowledge and expand into a deeper understanding of the concepts learned.
In middle school, government and civics concepts are taught in the context of ancient world history, world cultures and geography, and the early U.S. history courses. At the high school level, students learn about the role of government and civic participation in the modern U.S. history, local/state/national (LSN) government and modern world history courses. Advanced placement (AP) courses also include government and civics topics in the standards.
“The presentations were incredibly informative and essential for social studies teachers. I deeply appreciated the insightful content and the engaging presenters,” Sophia Goddard, social studies teacher at Theodore G. Davis Middle School, said. “The interactive learning sessions and discussions on indigenous people, people of color, and marginalized communities were truly eye-opening. I am eagerly looking forward to participating again if given the opportunity.”
About CCPS
Charles County Public Schools provides 27,765 students in grades prekindergarten through 12 with an academically challenging education. Located in Southern Maryland, Charles County Public Schools has 38 schools that offer a technologically advanced, progressive and high quality education that builds character, equips for leadership and prepares students for life, careers and higher education. The Charles County public school system does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age or disability in its programs, activities or employment practices.
For inquiries, please contact Dr. Mike Blanchard, Title IX/ADA/Section 504 Coordinator (students) or Nikial M. Majors, Title IX/ADA/Section 504 Coordinator (employees/ adults), at Charles County Public Schools, Jesse L. Starkey Administration Building, P.O. Box 2770, La Plata, MD 20646; 301-932-6610/301-870-3814. For special accommodations call 301-934-7230 or TDD 1-800-735-2258 two weeks prior to the event.
CCPS provides nondiscriminatory equal access to school facilities in accordance with its Use of Facilities rules to designated youth groups (including, but not limited to, the Boy Scouts).