Advancing Culturally Sustainable Pedagogy Together: Using History Labs to Enhance College Readiness

FAIN: AC-269265-20

Texas Tech University (Lubbock, TX 79409-0006)
Mellinee K Lesley (Project Director: July 2019 to present)
Lane Sobehrad (Co Project Director: November 2019 to February 2022)
Julie Smit (Co Project Director: November 2019 to September 2022)
Rene Saldana (Co Project Director: November 2019 to present)

The enhancement of the human geography curriculum for Lubbock’s public high schools through a collaboration between Texas Tech University and Lubbock school teachers and administrators.

At Estacado High School traditional English and Social Studies instruction has not produced desired outcomes for college readiness. Texas Tech and Lubbock ISD have met this need by building a culture of literacy that has seen significant student growth. To expand these efforts, this project will implement a 4-week history lab that targets critical reading and writing skills in the Social Studies classroom, in which students will engage in academic research and create dynamic projects that reflect authentic historical investigation. This project will positively impact student achievement on traditional assessments, reading and writing competencies, and critical thinking skills. In addition, it will help a highly diverse population of students connect with the regional impact of marginalized and disenfranchised groups in the larger context of U.S. history and culture, connecting their personal narratives to the wider experiences of American society.

Associated Products

Historical Skills Crosswalk and Rubric (Course or Curricular Material)
Title: Historical Skills Crosswalk and Rubric
Author: Lane Sobehrad
Author: Mellinee Lesley
Author: Rene Saldana
Author: Julie Smit
Author: Elizabeth Stewart
Abstract: Due to the interdisciplinary nature of this project, the project team developed a historical skills crosswalk for project stakeholders that aligns national standards, state standards, and professional standards across relevant fields. The project team stratified these skills into three general categories: (1) Reading Skills; (2) Thinking Skills; and (3) Writing Skills. These skills were then adapted into an overall rubric to assist teachers participating in establishing practical student learning outcomes and proficiency standards.
Year: 2020
Primary URL: http://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1ek0cVrgydB-3NBZqjfq5HlYc_Qf44N3-JskhR7fcfBg/edit?usp=sharing
Audience: K - 12

Table of Lab Day Topics (Course or Curricular Material)
Title: Table of Lab Day Topics
Author: Mellinee Lesley
Abstract: This table captures the curricular design of the lab days leading up to the NHD projects
Year: 2022
Audience: K - 12

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