District Collaboration
When providing in-service programs, Choices collaborates with teachers and administrators to create programs that meet the specific needs of the schools and districts. Interested districts should contact the Choices Program to discuss possibilities.
Our workshops and in-service programs focus on the Choices approach to addressing contested current and historical international issues. All programs take an interactive approach, giving participants first-hand experience with the Choices methodology from the students’ perspective. Participants engage in one or more model lessons from our curriculum units, including taking part in a role-play simulation that places students at the center of a critical current or historical decision making moment. All of our workshops provide an overview of the Choices approach and philosophy and suggest strategies for successfully implementing the Choices curriculum in the classroom. Further, the workshops engage participants in reflection and discussion around issues such as relevance to state standards, differentiated instruction, and classroom management.
All of our professional development facilitators have extensive teaching experience, a strong background in history and international issues, and a keen understanding of the Choices methodology.
Teaching American History Programs
The Choices Program at Brown University works with school districts nationwide to provide professional development for their teachers as part of Teaching American History grants. The goal of Choices' TAH programs is to strengthen and expand the teaching of U.S. foreign policy and international content within the core U.S. history curriculum.
Multi-Day Teaching Institutes
These programs join content and methodology, bringing content specialists together with classroom teachers at the secondary level to focus on an international theme within U.S. history. These institutes engage the participants with scholars on the topic and provide opportunities for teachers to explore ways to incorporate the Choices Program’s resources and approach to make these topics come alive for students in their classrooms.
One-Day Workshops
All programs take an interactive approach, engaging participants in one or more model lessons from our curriculum units, including taking part in a role-play simulation that places students at the center of a critical current or historical decision making moment. Depending on arrangements, one or more scholars may provide an on-site session, appear via video conference, or be integrated through our Scholars Online digital resources.
Cost for Typical TAH Programs
- A typical 5-day summer institute for 25 teachers, taking place at Brown University, costs approximately $45,000. This involves a mix of scholarship and pedagogy and includes room, board, materials. Travel is the responsibility of the sending district.
- A one-day workshop for 25 teachers ranges from $2500 to $4500
Sample Programs
Teaching about American Entry into the Age of Imperialism
One-day workshop, Riverside Unified School District, Riverside, CA
Slavery in New England: An Institute for Teachers
One-day workshop, Brown University, Providence, RI
Teaching about the Cold War from Multiple Perspectives
Southeastern Regional Educational Service Center—Bedford, NH
The Age of Imperialism to the Second World War
Five day summer institute
The Slave Trade to Brown v Board of Education: Race in America
Eight-day summer institute
Contact the Choices Program at choices@brown.edu or 401-863-3155 to discuss possibilities for future programming.