Grades 6-12 Social Studies Teachers in Eastern Montana
Re: One day Teaching Historical Thinking Workshop in Sidney during MFPE
Those of you who won't be able to make it to MFPE in Missoula this year--and especially if you live in Eastern Montana--consider attending this one-day workshop for grades 6-12 social studies teachers: Teaching Historical Thinking through Indigenous Histories.
This is a FREE workshop and attending educators will receive a stipend to cover the cost of their travel (including a hotel room for those traveling over 90 miles).
At the workshop, educators will explore tribal histories of the upper Great Plains using primary sources and learn strategies for historical thinking, and student-led historical research.
The workshop is a collaboration between the Montana Historical Society, National History Day in Montana, and the State Historical Society of North Dakota. It is sponsored by the Library of Congress Teaching with Primary Sources Great Plains Region, coordinated by the National Council for History Education.
Where: Sidney High School, 1012 4th Ave SE, Sidney, MT
When: Thursday, October 16 (teachers' convention break), 9 am - 4 pm
Who: 6-12 teachers (priority given to teachers in Eastern Montana)
Benefits: travel stipend, lunch, 6 renewal units
Apply for priority consideration by October 1.
Questions? Contact Melissa Hibbard.
Civics Bee
The Mansfield Center is partnering with the National Chamber of Commerce Foundation to host the 2026 Montana Civics Bee for middle school students. Students who participate will strengthen their civics, writing, and public speaking skills, and form friendships with other young leaders along the way!
A brief overview of the Montana Civics Bee:
- 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students must submit a 750-word (max) essay proposing their ideas for improving their community by February 3rd, 2026.
- Top-scoring essays will be invited to participate in a regional bee near them in spring 2026 for the chance to win cash prizes. Finalists from each regional bee will be invited to compete in the Montana State Civics Bee in Helena in late spring/early summer 2026 for the chance to win cash prizes at the state level.
- The winner of the State Bee will be sent on an all-expenses paid trip to Washington, DC to compete in the National Civics Bee in fall 2025 for the chance to win $100,000 towards college.
The United States is experiencing a crisis in civic education among younger generations, and the Mansfield Center is working to combat this issue by offering opportunities for young Americans to engage with civics and strengthen our democracy moving forward. We are thrilled to gather students from across the state for these exciting events!
To apply, visit the National Civics Bee webpage [my.reviewr.com] and create an account to access the application portal.
For additional resources to prepare your students visit our resource platform [drive.google.com].
Reach out to Kate Koenig at kate.koenig@mso.umt.edu with questions!
2026 Civics Bee Flyer
EconoQuest Conference
The Montana World Affairs Council is excited to invite your school to the 2025 EconoQuest Conference, happening October 27–28 at Montana State University in Bozeman. This free, two-day event is designed to help students explore career opportunities in some of Montana’s fastest-growing industries, including bioscience, agriculture, photonics and quantum, and more! Through interactive panels, MSU lab tours, and hands-on simulations, students will connect directly with industry leaders, innovators, and entrepreneurs who are shaping the future of our state.
Conference highlights include a scavenger hunt at the Museum of the Rockies, an international trade competition with a $1,000 grand prize, and an industry banquet featuring keynote speakers and Montana trivia. There is no registration fee with all meals provided and schools can apply for scholarship support to help cover the cost of transportation, lodging, and substitute teachers. The scholarship application deadline is Friday, September 19. Register your school today at montanaworldaffairs.org/econoquest [montanaworldaffairs.org] and give your students a one-of-a-kind opportunity
Teacher workshop explores Indigenous histories through primary sources
BISMARCK, N.D. — The State Historical Society of North Dakota in collaboration with the Montana Historical Society invites grades 6-12 social studies educators to participate in a free professional development workshop, “Teaching Historical Thinking Through Indigenous Histories,” Thursday, Oct. 16, at Sidney High School in Sidney, Montana.
Educators will explore the tribal histories of the upper Great Plains using primary sources aligned with the North Dakota Native American Essential Understandings standards and Montana’s Indian Education for All standards. Participants will also learn strategies to guide student-led historical research.
North Dakota educators will earn five professional development hours, and Montana educators will receive five Office of Public Instruction renewal units. Lunch and a travel stipend are included. This workshop is sponsored in part by the Library of Congress Teaching with Primary Sources Great Plains Region, coordinated by the National Council for History Education.
Space is limited. Learn more and register for the workshop by Oct. 7 at ndstudies.gov/teacher-workshops [history.us5.list-manage.com]. For more information, contact Education Outreach Supervisor Madison Milbrath, shsprograms@nd.gov or 701.328.2794.
The 2025-26 United States Senate Youth Program (USSYP) Scholarship application deadline is almost here!
Two students from Montana will be selected to receive one $10,000 scholarship each, along with a trip to Washington, D.C., March 7-14, 2026. Attending the entire Washington Week public service and leadership program and the college scholarship are one, inseparable award!
The application is available right now on the OPI Student Scholarships & Student Exchange webpage, and complete application packets must be submitted electronically by 11:59 pm, October 6, 2025.
Questions? Contact Kristen Bokovoy, USSYP Coordinator, at Kristen.Bokovoy2@mt.gov or 406-444-2417.
Freedom Week
Freedom Week and Other Commemorations generated a lot of responses. Please keep sharing your good ideas and/or resources you like.
Freedom to Read
School librarian Andrea Feige said that during Freedom Week she was "going to do a 'Freedom to Read' lesson that covers censorship and book bans around the country and in Montana. It usually leads to some pretty fantastic discussions with my 8th graders."
Everyday Native
In celebration of American Indian Heritage Day in September, Indigenous Peoples Day in October, and Native American Heritage month in November, Everyday Native offers a free online resource for grades 4-12 that brings modern Native perspectives to Native American history. Based on primary sources, the resource is designed to enhance existing curriculum across many subjects, emphasizing the everyday life of Native Americans as opposed to popular stereotypes created by movies, TV, books, and news media.
The resource contains award-winning short films featuring Native youth's stories, photographs by noted photographer Sue Reynolds, poems by acclaimed Native American poet Victor Charlo, discussion questions, ideas for classroom discussion and integration, and much more. Everyday Native's new Integration Ideas content, authored by Great Falls Public School District’s award-winning Indigenous teacher Jordann Lankford, makes it even easier for educators to incorporate these IEFA learning activities into their classrooms. To access Everyday Native's free resources for your classroom, create your free account here.
National Constitution Center Resources
The National Constitution Center has launched two new resources, the Interactive Declaration of Independence and the America at 250 Civic Toolkit. These free digital resources anchor the Center’s nationwide strategy to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence in 2026 and inspire renewed curiosity about the founding principles that continue to shape American democracy.
Friends of the Montana Constitution
Committed to "promoting and enhancing the public’s understanding and appreciation of the 1972 Montana Constitution; advancing civics education at all levels about the 1972 Montana Constitution; and recognizing and celebrating the 1972 Constitutional Convention and its delegates," this organization has a rich website of resources, including a chart comparing the US and Montana Constitutions. This looks to me as if it could be the basis of a great government lesson (with kids completing the chart). If you create such a lesson, I'd love to see it!
GEEO Teacher Travel Programs