Middle School Matters Webinar Shines Spotlight on English and History Education

The third installment of the Middle School Matters webinar series, "The 411 on English and History in the Middle School," brought middle school teachers Lindsey King (English) and Tiffany Simms ’03 (history) to the table for an insightful discussion on the importance of humanities education in shaping young minds.

Hosted as part of the ongoing Middle School Matters initiative, this session focused on best practices, engaging strategies, and the latest research in teaching English and history at the middle school level. Alongside hosts Kathryn Outlaw, Head of Middle School and Director of Student Support Services, and Lauren Lawrence Swanson ’09, Director of Student Life and Assistant Dean of Students, Lindsey and Tiffany detailed how their courses build in middle school and explored how interdisciplinary approaches can deepen students’ critical thinking, historical analysis, and literacy skills.

One of the central themes of the webinar was the integration of English Language Arts (ELA) and history to create meaningful learning experiences. The speakers emphasized the role of storytelling, primary sources, and inquiry-based instruction in fostering a deeper understanding of historical events and literary works and also discussed strategies for improving literacy across disciplines, including how to support struggling readers, incorporate diverse perspectives, and make historical content more accessible and engaging.

The Middle School Matters webinar series continues to serve as a valuable resource for GPS parents, providing practical tools and expert insights to enhance teaching practices. The third installment reinforced the importance of humanities education in preparing students for the challenges of high school and beyond.

The next installment of the series is scheduled for April 24. Stay tuned!