St. Paul – Leading Elementary Social Studies Inquiry Institute
Learn how to do more with less! In partnership with the Minnesota Department of Education, the Minnesota Humanities Center proudly presents the Leading Elementary Social Studies Inquiry (LESSI) Institute. This innovative program equips K-5 curriculum and instruction leaders across Minnesota to integrate English Language Arts and Social Studies Standards into cohesive, interdisciplinary lessons that maximize impact with limited resources and time.
Designed for curriculum and instruction leaders, this six-session Institute empowers participants to develop inquiry-based lessons that seamlessly integrate disciplinary literacy and social studies. Learn effective bundling of curriculum elements, create engaging model lessons, and gain skills to design high-quality professional development within districts.
Goals:
- Support districts in implementing standards-based disciplinary literacy instruction.
- Provide hands-on training in bundling standards for interdisciplinary teaching.
- Develop and share adaptable, inquiry-based model lessons.
- Establish a train-the-trainer approach for sustainable district-wide impact.
Key Details:
- Participation requires attendance on all six dates.
- Participants will leave with model K-5 social studies lessons integrating ELA elements.
- Expect preparation between sessions for resource identification and lesson development.
- Due to limited space, interested curriculum and instruction leaders must complete a short application. Final selections will prioritize geographic diversity and statewide reach.
Dates/Agenda:
- June 25-27: Orientation, Bundling Foundations, Inquiry Lesson Development.
- August 12-14: Model Lesson Construction, Presentation & Feedback, Train-the-Trainer Setup, Program Evaluation & Reflection.
Speakers:
- Kristin Bauck, ELA Specialist, MDE
- Mychi Nguyen, K-8 Ethnic Studies Integration Specialist, MDE
- Brittany Rawson-Haeg, Social Studies Specialist, MDE
Provided:
- Light breakfast and lunch
- BOSA clock hours available
- Lodging – a limited number of overnight rooms will be available for those traveling from outside of the Metro area.
Join this cohort to collaborate, gain expertise, and drive meaningful change in K-5 education across Minnesota. Learn to deliver high-quality, standards-aligned instruction efficiently and effectively by focusing on how to “do more with less.”
Apply Now
Application deadline is May 9, 2025. You will be notified by email about your acceptance by May 19. At that time, you will receive a registration link to confirm your spot.
Note: You must commit to attending all six sessions to be considered.