Primary Source Documents

State of Maine

It’s great to find resources that are authentic instead of creating fake ones to use. Recently many of the cultural agencies in Maine worked together to create Primary Source Sets on two topics – several Bicentennial topics and a general one on Pandemics. I have scanned the resources and found them very useful. We can thank the Maine State Archives, Maine State Museum, Maine State Library, and Maine Historical Society. They are wonderful resources on specific topics to make resources easily findable for teachers.

• Bicentennial sets: https://mainestatemuseum.org/learn/bicentennial-teaching-materials/
• Pandemic set: https://mainestatemuseum.org/pandemic-primary-source-sets/

These are wonderful resources to use collaboratively with colleagues to help plan connected authentic curricula and experiences. Currently, the educational sets live on the Maine State Museum website, but the collaborative group is working to create a separate website to house them.

The information for this post was provided by the newly elected Maine State Archivist and first woman to serve in the position, Kate McBrien. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to Kate with questions and/or ideas. She can be reached at Katherine.McBrien@maine.gov. Interestingly enough when I was online learning more I found a youtube video of a presentation that Kate did for the Southwest Harbor Library on Malaga. I am curious about Malaga and how to incorporate the history into my curriculum and found this very interesting.

Message from Kate

“The cultural organizations of Maine hold a treasure trove of important material that help to connect students to Maine’s history. These Primary Source Sets are meant to help teachers easily find and use a wide range of historical resources from a variety of institutions. Our collaborative approach allows the most relevant historical material to be available to every student and educator in one, easy place to access. We plan to continue this program and will continue to develop more primary source sets.”

Portland Stage

Interactive Theatre for social change 

Consider providing a unique opportunity for your students to explore the intersection of art and social history? The Maine State Museum and Maine State Library invites you to join Portland Stage for an interactive Theatre for Social Change workshop exploring the images, concepts, and stories of the women’s suffrage movement. The workshop is designed to put the stories of the movement into the hands and hearts of students, allowing them to examine their personal connection to the struggles and victories of the past.  Each workshop session will begin with an educator-led introduction the museum’s exhibition Women’s Long Road – 100 Years to the Vote.

What

Theater for Social Change Workshops led by teaching artists from Portland Stage

Cost: FREE!

When

Monday, October 28 and on Tuesday, October 29 – same workshop each day, choose one date

Time

10:00 AM – 12:00 PM, schools are welcome to stay longer and use our atrium space for lunch

Where

Maine State Museum & Maine State Library both located at 230 State Street, Augusta

Who & How Many 

The workshop is designed for middle & high school students; workshops are limited to 30 students per workshop

Questions/RSVP

Joanna Torow, Chief Educator, Maine State Museum Joanna.torow@maine.gov 207-287-6608

In Today’s News

Art Teacher Providing Workshops

Periodically I get emails with questions about arts education opportunities for students beyond the school day. I was glad to read about art teacher Rebekah Raye.  In the Kennebec Journal, January 27th, there is an article written by Susan McMillian, and the workshops Rebekah is teaching.

On Saturday Rebekah provided a drawing workshop for about 30 children and adults sharing information about the illustration and publication process. After becoming an art teacher Raye gave workshops and in 2004 illustrated her first story written by Passamaquoddy storyteller Allen Sockabasin. Since that time she has written and illustrated two more children’s books.

You can read the entire article and learn more at http://www.kjonline.com/news/artist-focuses-on-talented-youthrebekah-raye-leads-workshop-by-state-museums-friends_2012-02-25.html