BHP Team
Washington, USA
Note from the BHP Team: Can’t make an in-person Summer PLC? Check out our free Virtual PLC offerings instead! Connect with teachers and get inspired in 60-minute sessions from the comfort of your [couch/lounger/hammock].
This summer, Big History Project teachers are gathering across the United States for summer professional learning communities (PLCs) and we hope you can join us!
Whether you’re new to BHP or have been teaching the course for years, there’s something for you at a summer PLC. Here’s what you can expect:
- A better way to teach: That’s what BHP teachers tell us. Come find out why.
- Peace of mind: Nervous about the new school year? Get tips, guidance, and resources for planning, navigating, and connecting 13.8 billion years of history. You’ll feel better.
- Course updates: Every year we update the course. What’s in store? Skills. Big skills that progress and spiral and make you look like a rock star. Come find out how our planning resources and activities build student reading, writing, critical thinking, and more essential skills throughout the year. It’s going to be great!
- Scaffolding: One size does not fit all. BHP is full of scaffolds and tools to meet students where they are. We’ll make sure you know where to find them and how to use them. Let’s get building.
- Connections: We say it all the time. It’s the connections that make BHP unique. It’s also what makes our wraparound teacher support amazing. At the PLC, you’ll make connections with people who share geography, interests, and challenges. When you leave, you’ll be able to maintain those connections and continue that mutual support through the online BHP teacher community on Yammer. Group hug.
There’s limited capacity at each PLC– please RSVP as soon as you can. A BHP team member will reach out with more information following registration. Alternatively, you can e-mail us with your questions right now at info@bighistoryproject.com.
Locations and dates:*
Mesa, AZ: July 23
8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Mesa Public Schools Curriculum Services Center
Tucson, AZ: July 24
1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Alice Vail Middle School
Phoenix, AZ: July 25
1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
West Phoenix High School
Greenwood, IN: July 29
1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Center Grove Innovation Center
San Francisco, CA: July 30
10:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
de Young Museum
Chicago, IL: August 1
10:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Field Museum
San Diego, CA: August 1
1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
University Community Library
Los Angeles, CA: August 5
10:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Natural History Museum
Champaign-Urbana, IL: August 6
1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
University of Illinois
Spurlock Museum
Iowa City, IA: August 7
1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Iowa City Public Library
Seattle, WA: August 12
10:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Museum of History and Industry
CANCELLED: Kinston, NC: August 14
Charlotte, NC: August 19
1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
West Mecklenburg High School
St. Clair Shores / Novi, MI: August 19
1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Novi Middle School
49000 11 Mile Rd.
Novi, MI 48374
New York, NY: August 20
10:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
National Archives
Princeton, NJ: August 28
1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Princeton Public Library
*Note: A member of our team will reach out with details related to the location you choose!
Before you arrive: We don’t like to assign homework, but we do highly recommend you check out Teaching Big History, our free, online professional development, before attending the PLC. If you’re a new-to-BHP teacher, you’ll be light-years ahead. If you’re a veteran, you’ll get a helpful refresher.
PLC RESOURCES AND DOWNLOADS
Practice Progressions
Activities
- Lesson 1.1: Scale – History of Me
- Lesson 1.1: Threshold Name Game
- Lesson 2.0: Narrative and Thresholds – The Big Bang
- Lesson 2.0: Causation – Natural Disasters
- Lesson 2.2: Disciplines – Who Knows What?
- BHP Resource: Disciplines Chart
- Lesson 1.3: Claim Testing – What Are the Claim Testers?
- Lesson 1.1: Big History: An Overview leveled texts
- Three Close Reads Worksheet
- Lesson 2.2: Analyzing Investigation Writing – Use of Evidence