Teaching with Primary Sources - University of Northern Colorado
In coordination with the Poudre Learning Center, Von Trotha-Firestien Farm hosted a group of teachers from the Teaching with Primary Sources program at the University of Northern Colorado this summer. This program provides free professional development to teachers through funding from the Library of Congress. Educators are introduced to the vast online resources of the Library of Congress as well as teaching resources designed by educators for educators.
So, just what is a primary source? According to the UNC website information, "Primary sources are items from the past that provide evidence about that time. They could be written; like documents, letter and diaries; visual, like paintings, photos and maps; or even objects like furniture or clothing. Primary sources are windows into another place and time. Using primary sources in teaching helps deepen students' content knowledge, promotes critical thinking and brings learning to life."
The three day Summer 2010 Institute for the Teaching with Primary Sources program was called "A Sense of Place: Preserving, Working and Celebrating our Land". The second day of the institute focused on the use of natural resources, land use and environmental science.
After spending the morning in the warm outside temperatures at the Poudre Learning Center, the participants enjoyed lunch under the shade trees on the front lawn of the historic stucco farmhouse. During lunch they learned a little about the history of the Von Trotha-Firestien Farm. Participants then spent the afternoon practicing the use of primary sources as they enjoyed a "walkabout" looking at the historic buildings and structures and pondering their uses in the past. They also tested their skills with estimating the size of an acre and setting siphon irrigation tubes as they learned about the importance of water and irrigation on the farm.
Here's what one of the particpants had to say about the institute and their experience at the farm: Summer Institute 2010: Reflections by a Digital Native
The farm hopes to host more groups like this and provide more educational tours in the future. Please contact us if you have an idea for your group!