The Teaching American History Grant is a one million-dollar federal grant dedicated to training 4th and 5th grade teachers in American History content and instruction in historical inquiry and use of primary sources. Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) has partnered with the Smithsonian Institute, Montgomery College and the University of Maryland to implement and evaluate the program. According to grant outcomes, teachers will report a deeper understanding of American History, enthusiasm for teaching American History and confidence in engaging students in American History instruction. Students will become more historically literate through knowledge of historical facts and by gaining skills needed to interpret history.

Over the course of three years, two teachers from every MCPS elementary school will participate in an eight-day summer training and three follow-up meetings that include: behind-the-scenes tours and meetings with curators of Smithsonian Institute exhibits that enhance the MCPS American History/Social Studies curriculum, guidance and support in implementing the rigorous new Social Studies curriculum, teacher development of instructional strategies and the use of historical information, enhancement of teachers’ American History content knowledge, and instruction in meeting new reading and writing requirements using American History content.