The Boise State Writing Project will host a series of mini-conferences for educators on the theme “Democracy Building Instruction through Document Based Inquiries.” Participants will gain insights, strategies and lessons from other educators’ experience using document-based guided inquiries focused on engaging students in respectful dialogue around contended issues of American history and culture. The sessions are led by teacher leaders and thinking partners from Idaho and teach essential skills and dispositions to promote democracy. Participants will also have an opportunity to engage in a “Narrative 4 Story Exchange” – a strategy to promote curiosity, deep listening and social imagination in students.
What are document based inquiries?
Through the use of primary and secondary sources, document based inquiries position students as citizen historians and social scientists who inquire about and socially construct their knowledge of complex and contended topics through these documents.
Educators will present document based inquiries on topics like, but not limited to:
- dealing with fake news/information pollution;
- how to memorialize the past American patriotism;
- book censorship;
- personal and community identity;
- managing implicit bias and microaggressions;
- media ethics;
- and sharing space with others.
Mini-conference dates
Saturday, Feb. 11, 2023, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Lake City High School
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho
Saturday, March 4, 2023, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Yanke Center, Boise State University
Boise, Idaho
Friday, March 10, 2023, 5:30 – 9 p.m.
College of Southern Idaho
Twin Falls, Idaho
Saturday, March 11, 2023, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Rigby High School
Rigby, Idaho
Register for these mini-conferences online.
The National Writing Project sponsored these mini-conferences.