A full day of programs and activities focusing on the arrival of Captain John Cook to Harpers Ferry and his marriage to Virginia Kennedy. Highlights of this day include family and youth activities and a dramatic presentation entitled, “My Conspirator,” the life of Captain John Cook as told by his sister, Kate.
Classroom Lesson Plan of the Month Contest
Help commemorate the sesquicentennial of the John Brown Raid at Harpers Ferry by creating an engaging lesson plan for your students. Your innovative lesson must cover some aspect of John Brown or the raid at Harpers Ferry. Submit your lesson plan for a chance to win a book courtesy of the Harpers Ferry Historical Association. This contest is open to all K-12 teachers. For complete rules please visit www.nps.gov/hafe/forteachers/
john-brown-lesson-plan-contest.htm.
John Brown’s Raid: Invasion at Harpers Ferry, Summer Institute for Teachers
From June 22-26, 4th-12th grade teachers can participate in a one-week workshop that will enable them to walk in the footsteps of John Brown and others involved in the raid on Harpers Ferry. Participants will be eligible for 3 hours of graduate credit. For applications and detailed
John Brown’s Raid 150th Commemoration
information on the institute, visit www.nps.gov/hafe/forteachers/
teachers-institute.htm.
July 11-12 - Kennedy Farm Open House
The 150th anniversary of the arrival of “Isaac Smith” and sons. The afternoon will include tours, demonstrations and refreshments. This event is sponsered by the Kennedy Farm Foundation. More information can be found at www.johnbrown.org/toc.htm.
July 12-14 – Web & Onsite Teacher Institute
We are currently working in partnership with American Public University System to offer an institute that will be three days on site at Harpers Ferry National Historical Park combined with online work requirements. This course will be a graduate level history course with a curriculum and instruction component. More details on this exciting new professional development opportunity will be coming soon. Please check www.nps.gov/hafe/forteachers/
teachers-institute.htm for updates.
October 16-18 - Sesquicentennial Commemoration of John Brown’s Raid
Three days of public events focusing on the thirty-six hours of the raid on Harpers Ferry 150 years ago. The weekend will include music, drama, scholarship, living history, family and youth activities, and ranger conducted programs.
Information on these and other events commemorating the 150th anniversary of the raid can be found at www.johnbrownraid.org.
A Note from the Teacher’s Desk: Catherine Bragaw, Education Program Manager
I wanted to share with you our vision and mission. I am hoping that this will give a better understanding of who we are, what we are about, and our goal to assure Harpers Ferry is one of America’s Greatest Classrooms.
We believe all children deserve great parks and excellent educational experiences in our parks. We believe that in the meanings of these places, and through the voices of the past, the American story becomes real. It is in these stories that human spirit finds inspiration and insight.
We believe that in our parks young people can listen to the sound of America and in doing so can find their own voice. We believe in our parks, our young people can understand the struggle to build America and in doing so, find who they want to become. In this place and with us we hope that our young people can find the soul of America and in that discovery begins the shaping and the becoming of a new generation.
To ensure this our staff is dedicated to:
Emphasis on learning rather than process
Enhanced pedagogical understanding
Improved teaching techniques
Greater content knowledge
Empowered team work
Increased staff fulfillment
Positive, energized growth
Excellence in delivering place-based education
Catherine Bragaw
Education Program Manager
NSADOKFPSDO