Ethnic-American Poetry and Folk Music in the Elementary School Proposal 1976

The Hazel Brain Dunnington Papers (1923-1991) document the career of this classroom teacher, college professor, stage director, and author from 1923 through 1991. The majority of the collection contains classroom teaching materials and programming and administrative papers for the Institute in English, Poetry in the Language Arts Curriculum for Elementary Teachers in Grades K-6 at Central Washington State College in summer 1966. It is divided into five series: Professional History, Teaching Materials, National Defense Education Act (NDEA) Institute, Audio Tapes, and Oversize Objects.

Series I: Professional History (Box 1), dating from 1923-1991, provides a quick look at Dunnington's early education, her teaching career, awards received, and her family genealogy. Of note is: a letter from Winifred Ward to Dunnington in 1937 regarding Children's Theatre of Evanston productions; and Dunnington's obituary. Included are: vitae, biographies, photographs, correspondence, newspaper articles, a memorial service booklet, a travel itinerary, journal articles, a tribute, and a theatre program. Bulk dates are 1923, 1927, 1937, 1945-1948, 1957-1978, 1980, 1982, 1985, and 1987-1991.

Series II: Teaching Materials (Box 2), dating from 1963-1977, describes Dunnington's classroom teaching techniques and her career at Central Washington State College/University. Included are: correspondence, letters of recommendation, annual professional service records, a sabbatical leave request, a grant proposal, a book bibliography, lesson plans, stories for dramatizing, poems, and journal and newspaper articles.

Series III: National Defense Education Act (NDEA) Institute (Box 3), dating from 1965-1986, documents the preparation, execution and follow up to the National Defense Education Act (NDEA) Institute in English, Poetry in the Language Arts Curriculum for Elementary Teachers in Grades K-6 held at Central Washington State College from June 20-July 29, 1966. Included are: brochures, an institute proposal, a plan of operation, budgets, correspondence, newspaper articles, a participants' list, photographs, poems, poetry bibliographies, lesson plans, participant profiles, poetry anthologies, and a final technical report. Of note is correspondence from poet Eve Merriam regarding her participation in this Institute. Bulk dates are 1965-1971, 1975-1986.

Series IV: Audio Tapes (Box 4), dated 1966, 1969, and undated, includes audio recordings of: children and adults reading poetry and correspondence; and discussions regarding literary lesson plans for children. Of note is a recording of Eve Merriam reading her poetry. Included are: a description of the tapes, and reel-to-reel audio tapes.

Series V: Oversize Objects (Box 5), dated 1927, 1977, 1983, contains materials too large to be housed in the previous document boxes. A document removal form has been placed in the appropriate folders directing patrons to materials in this oversize box. Of note is Dunnington's high school valedictory speech.