Keeping Delaware History Alive, a series of Lectures sponsored by the Kalmar Nyckel Foundation 

Register Now!

 

“Thinking Chronologically: Keeping Delaware’s History Alive in the Classroom”

Speakers: Kim Statham and Dusty Shockley

from Delaware’s Department of Education.

 

 

“History is the study of human conduct over time, which demands a basic understanding of the proper sequencing of events,” suggested Samuel Heed, Senior Historian and Director of Education for the Kalmar Nyckel Foundation.  “Too often we put the ‘cart before the horse,’ mostly because history is written and understood backwards – while it is lived forwardly.  All sophisticated historical reasoning depends upon this basic premise, which is why, as the historian for the Kalmar Nyckel Foundation, I am so excited about the Department of Education’s new Model Unit, entitled ‘Thinking Chronologically.’  That the Model Unit focuses on Delaware’s founding experiences in the 17^th century, with Peter Minuit and the Kalmar Nyckel taking center stage, makes it even more special.” 

 The Kalmar Nyckel Foundation is delighted, therefore, to present a celebration and discussion of the Delaware Department of Education’s new Model Social Studies Curriculum Unit, entitled “Thinking Chronologically,” which is being launched into Delaware’s classroom this Spring Semester.  Heed says, “If you love Delaware’s history or care about the cultural literacy of our young people, this is an exciting event.” 

Kimberley Statham, Model Unit writer for the Department of Education and an honored member of the Caesar Rodney High School faculty, and Dusty Shockley, Social Studies Coordinator for the State Department of Education, will unveil “Thinking Chronologically,” along with the primary source material and latest teaching methodologies that stand behind it.  “This is Delaware’s origination story,” said Kim Statham, “and it has been an honor to work on this project.  Engaging the historical imagination of young people is every history teacher’s dream.  To have the opportunity to build a Curriculum Unit that starts at the beginning – both from a content perspective of the 17^th century and from the point of view of DOE’s History Standards [History Standard 1: Chronology – Study historical events and persons within a given time frame in order to create a chronology and identify related cause-effect factors; History Standard 2b: Analysis – Examine historical materials relating to a particular region, society, or theme; chronologically arrange them; and analyze change over time.] for Grades 4 and 5 – has been most gratifying.” (For more information on Delaware’s Content Standards and Recommended Curriculum, see www.doe.k12.de.us).

“‘Keeping Delaware’s History Alive in the Classroom’,” Heed added, “is the job of Dusty Shockley and his staff at the Department of Education.  From the moment I joined the Kalmar Nyckel Foundation, I have been most impressed with the sophistication of Delaware’s History Standards, with the innovative instruction I’ve seen going on around the State, and with the imaginative ways new lessons get implemented in the classroom.  Dusty Shockley and Kim Statham are the kind of outstanding educators who personify the State’s sophistication, innovation, and imagination.”

The Kalmar Nyckel Foundation urges you to become as “smart as the average Delaware 4^th or 5^th Grader.”  Join Kim Statham and Dusty Shockley to get answers to questions 4^th and 5^th Graders already know: “Who the heck was Peter Minuit?” anyway …”What is a Kalmar Nyckel?” … and “What were the Swedes thinking when they ‘invaded’ the Delaware Valley in 1638?”  And find out why, as any 4^th or 5^th Grader might tell you, “Facts are Your Friends” and “Dates Matter” when it comes to the study of history and cultural literacy. 

The Kalmar Nyckel Foundation preserves and teaches Delaware’s unique maritime history and multicultural legacy as it relates to the region’s economic, industrial, ecological, and cultural development.  The recreation of the Kalmar Nyckel, a 10-year project undertaken by local volunteers, was directed by Master Builder Allen Rawl and launched in May 1997.  The recreation was made possible in large part by the vision and generosity of the Delaware General Assembly, then Governor (now Senator) Thomas R. Carper, Tatiana Copeland, and Wilmington’s Riverfront Development Corporation.

           

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:

 

Samuel W. Heed, Esq.

Senior Historian & Director of Education

The Kalmar Nyckel Foundation

1124 East Seventh Street 

Wilmington, DE 19801 

(302) 429-7447

sheed@kalmarnyckel.org

 

           

Register Now!                                                    Reception: 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.   Lecture:  7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Click on the Kalmar Nyckel to go to the Kalmar Nyckel Website