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//Project Clio//- Teaching American History Grant The Teaching American History grant is designed to raise student achievement by improving teachers' knowledge and understanding of and appreication of traditional U.S. history. Grant awards will work in partnership with those that have content expertise, to develop, document, evaluate, and disseminate innovative and cohesive models of professional development. By helping teachers to develop a deeper understanding and appreciation of U.S. history as a separate subject matter within the core curriculum, these programs will improve instruction and raise student achievement.

The Des Moines Public Schools was awarded a Teaching American History grant in August of 2009. Named Project Clio, DMPS has partnered with various national, state, and local partners to provide quality professional development in the content-area of history. These partners include: The Gilder Lehrman Institute, Iowa State University, Des Moines Area Community College, Drake University, the Fort Des Moines Museum, Living History Farms, and the State Historical Society of Iowa. Each year Project Clio follows historical themes and professional development topics are chosen based on these themes. The themes are:


 * Year 1- Conflict and Compromise
 * Year 2- Revolution, Reaction, and Reform
 * Year 3- The Struggle for Freedom
 * Year 4- Turning Points in History
 * Year 5- America's Global Presence

**Goals of Project Clio**
 * Increase student achievement and engagement in history through the use of primary sources.
 * Increase opportunities for teachers to interact with professional historians to increase and expand knowledge and perspectives.
 * Support, model and expand instructional practices that contribute to students //doing// history.

If you have any questions please contact Stefanie Rosenberg Wager at stefanie.rosenbergwager@dmps.k12.ia.us or at 515-242-7861.

**What are Primary Sources?**

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