Navigating the U.S. History Eras
A Professional Learning Series for K–12 Educators
About Navigating the U.S. History Eras
Navigating the U.S. History Eras: Content, Pedagogy, and Inquiry in the Classroom, presented by the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) and the Minnesota Humanities Center (MHC), is a yearlong professional learning opportunity supporting implementation of Minnesota’s 2021 K–12 Academic Standards in Social Studies.
Questions?
Content and Pedagogy Sessions
Each month, educators will explore one historical era through two complementary lenses: an Online Content Session and an Online Pedagogy Session.
Educators are welcome to register for individual sessions that align with their interests and schedules—there’s no need to commit to all offerings. Join us for one or more sessions throughout the year.
Content Sessions
Content Sessions are led by expert historians and moderated by Dr. Katharine Gerbner. These sessions provide deep historical context, source analysis, and thematic framing.
Intended Audience: Open to all K–12 educators interested in historical content and source-based instruction
Pedagogy Sessions
Pedagogy Sessions are facilitated by MDE Social Studies Specialist Brittany Rawson-Haeg and experienced classroom educators. These hands-on workshops support teachers in designing inquiry-based, standards-aligned units using the content and sources from the content sessions.
Intended Audience: Designed for high school U.S. History teachers; also relevant for 5th and 7th grade educators
Asynchronous US History Eras Course
The Asynchronous U.S. History Eras Course features recorded versions of the live content and pedagogy sessions from Navigating the U.S. History Eras. This online archive allows participation from teachers unable to attend the live sessions. Additionally, teachers attending live sessions can access course materials through this Canvas course.
Intended Audience: Open to all K–12 educators interested in historical content and source-based instruction.
Program Objectives
Enhance Content Knowledge
Build deep understanding of key historical eras, events, and themes.
Strengthen Pedagogical Skills
Learn how to develop inquiry-based, standards-aligned lessons using diverse historical sources.
Encourage Collaboration and Access
Connect with educators statewide and revisit recorded sessions through a dedicated Canvas platform.
Program Deliverables
By participating in this series, educators will:
- Develop inquiry-rich unit and lesson frameworks
- Access scholar-curated lists of primary and secondary sources
- Practice strategies to engage students in critical historical thinking
- Join a statewide educator network rooted in collaborative learning
- Access MDE-hosted Canvas courses, including:
- Archived recordings of all content and pedagogy sessions
- Curated source sets aligned to each historical era
- Standards-aligned planning templates and tools
- Peer discussion forums and collaboration spaces
- Support from MDE staff for questions and feedback
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Online Pedagogy Session – Era Four: Imperial Expansion and Native Dispossession
OnlineVirtual EventTrace the effects of U.S. expansion on Native nations and examine how policies of land seizure and sovereignty denial shaped the 19th century. Using content and sources from Dr. David Aiona Chang, Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) Social Studies Specialist Brittany Rawson-Haeg and experienced classroom educators will lead this hands-on workshop supporting high school U.S. History teachers in designing inquiry-based, standards-aligned units.
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Online Content Session – Era Five: Slavery, Civil War, and Reconstruction
OnlineVirtual EventExplore the causes, course, and consequences of the Civil War, and evaluate the transformative potential and limitations of Reconstruction. Led by Dr. Rebecca Brückmann and moderated by Dr. Katharine Gerbner, this session will provide deep historical context, source analysis, and thematic framing.
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Online Pedagogy Session – Era Five: Slavery, Civil War, and Reconstruction
OnlineVirtual EventExplore the causes, course, and consequences of the Civil War, and evaluate the transformative potential and limitations of Reconstruction. Using content and sources from Dr. Rebecca Brückmann, Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) Social Studies Specialist Brittany Rawson-Haeg and experienced classroom educators will lead this hands-on workshop supporting high school U.S. History teachers in designing inquiry-based, standards-aligned units.
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Online Content Session – Era Six: Migration, Imperialism, and Inequality
OnlineVirtual EventExamine the late 19th and early 20th century through the lenses of industrialization, imperial expansion, and rising social inequality. Led by Dr. Maddalena Marinari and moderated by Dr. Katharine Gerbner, this session will provide deep historical context, source analysis, and thematic framing.
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Online Pedagogy Session – Era Six: Migration, Imperialism, and Inequality
OnlineVirtual EventExamine the late 19th and early 20th century through the lenses of industrialization, imperial expansion, and rising social inequality. Using content and sources from Dr. Maddalena Marinari, Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) Social Studies Specialist Brittany Rawson-Haeg and experienced classroom educators will lead this hands-on workshop supporting high school U.S. History teachers in designing inquiry-based, standards-aligned units.
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Online Content Session – Era Seven: U.S. and the World
OnlineVirtual EventInvestigate how World War II, the Cold War, and global migrations transformed U.S. society and its role on the international stage. Led by a historian (TBA) and moderated by Dr. Katharine Gerbner, this session will provide deep historical context, source analysis, and thematic framing.
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Online Pedagogy Session – Era Seven: U.S. and the World
OnlineVirtual EventInvestigate how World War II, the Cold War, and global migrations transformed U.S. society and its role on the international stage. Using content and sources from Dr. Katharine Gerbner, Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) Social Studies Specialist Brittany Rawson-Haeg and experienced classroom educators will lead this hands-on workshop supporting high school U.S. History teachers in designing inquiry-based, standards-aligned units.
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Online Content Session – Era Eight: Civil Rights Struggles
OnlineVirtual EventGo beyond the 1960s to explore long civil rights movements, from the Great Migration to Black Power, and their relevance for students today. Led by Dr. Yohuru Williams and moderated by Dr. Katharine Gerbner, this session will provide deep historical context, source analysis, and thematic framing.
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Online Pedagogy Session – Era Eight: Civil Rights Struggles
OnlineVirtual EventGo beyond the 1960s to explore long civil rights movements, from the Great Migration to Black Power, and their relevance for students today. Using content and sources from Dr. Yohuru Williams, Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) Social Studies Specialist Brittany Rawson-Haeg and experienced classroom educators will lead this hands-on workshop supporting high school U.S. History teachers in designing inquiry-based, standards-aligned units.
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Online Content Session – Era Nine: Contested Freedoms
OnlineVirtual EventEvaluate how recent U.S. history—1990s to present—shaped American debates over democracy, rights, and responses to global and domestic crises. Led by Dr. Walter Greason and moderated by Dr. Katharine Gerbner, this session will provide deep historical context, source analysis, and thematic framing.
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Online Pedagogy Session – Era Nine: Contested Freedoms
OnlineVirtual EventEvaluate how recent U.S. history—1990s to present—shaped American debates over democracy, rights, and responses to global and domestic crises. Using content and sources from Dr. Walter Greason, Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) Social Studies Specialist Brittany Rawson-Haeg and experienced classroom educators will lead this hands-on workshop supporting high school U.S. History teachers in designing inquiry-based, standards-aligned units.
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