Mountain LakesHigh School

The MLHS Social Studies Department is proud to report that in May 2013, MLHS was granted "Gilder Lehrman Affiliate School" status. Founded in 1994 by Richard Gilder and Lewis E. Lehrman, the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History is a nonprofit organization devoted to the improvement of history education. The Institute has developed an array of programs for schools, teachers, and students that now operate in all fifty states, including a website that features more than 60,000 unique historical documents in the Gilder Lehrman Collection.

This program is a unique gateway to education resources, events, and tools designed to bring American history to life in the classroom. The free program will connect our Laker students to various valuable resources, including:

• Exclusive web content, including teachable documents, resource lists, and more
• Professional development opportunities, including preferential consideration to Teacher Seminars
• Free and discounted books, multimedia kits, and traveling exhibitions in the History Shop.
• Unlimited access to the Gilder Lehrman Collection of more than 60,000 American historical documents
• Opportunities for students to participate in the Civil War Essay Contest and the Dear George Washington Contest

To learn more about Affiliate Program, browse their website including its FAQ page. Also make sure to check back here throughout 2013-2014 for examples of how we are using the materials in our classes!

Teaching Literacy Through History

The Common Core State Standards have significantly raised the bar for student success, demanding new thinking and new strategies. To meet these benchmarks and prepare students for a 21st-century global economy while nurturing thoughtful, effective citizens, the Gilder Lehrman Institute introduces Teaching Literacy Through History.

http://www.gilderlehrman.org/programs-exhibitions/teaching-literacy-through-history

The Dear George Washington Essay Contest

The Dear George Washington Contest is an annual writing contest for Gilder Lehrman Affiliate School students. The contest brings history to life for elementary-age students by introducing them to the issues facing early Americans and encouraging them to think critically about the founding of the nation. The contest is open to K-5 students. Participation is limited to Gilder Lehrman Affiliate and Flagship School students. For full information, including contest forms, prompts, a scoring rubric, and other important information, please download our 2012-2013 Dear George Washington Contest Forms (PDF).

http://www.gilderlehrman.org/programs-exhibitions/dear-george-washington-contest

Civil War Essay Contest

The Gilder Lehrman Institute joins the Civil War Round Table of New York to co-sponsor an annual essay contest for Gilder Lehrman Affiliate School students. Students examine the nation’s most divisive conflict through letters, speeches, songs, photographs, newspapers, military orders, and other documents, conducting research with primary as well as secondary sources. Participation is limited to Gilder Lehrman Affiliate and Flagship School students. For full information, contest forms, a scoring rubric, and other important details, please download the 2012-2013 Civil War Essay Contest Forms and Information (PDF).

http://www.gilderlehrman.org/programs-exhibitions/civil-war-essay-contest