On September 26, 2009, the Smithsonian Institution has invited hundreds of museum and cultural venues to participate in Museum Day 2009. Register for free to receive a pass on the website, and present it at one of the participating organizations (search for those near you on the site) for free admission.

From the Facing History and Ourselves website:

"Facing History and Ourselves' newest online seminar, 'Choices in Little Rock,' is a rich and engaging exploration of the 1957 desegregation of Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas. The seminar traces the legal and personal struggles of African Americans from Jim Crow America through the landmark supreme court decision on Brown v. Board of Education, and ultimately, to the courageous actions of nine young men and women determined to make desegregation a reality. Their efforts would lead to a crisis that historian Taylor Branch once described as 'the most severe test of the Constitution since the Civil War.'

This online seminar takes place over seven weeks. Each week, participants will engage in a variety of activities that will include reading materials, viewing video clips, creating journal entries, and participating in online facilitated discussion forums. Participants are expected to complete approximately four hours of work each week at their own pace.

Each participant will receive a copy of our teaching guide, Choices in Little Rock, as well as some additional resources, prior to the start of the seminar."

From the Facing History and Ourselves website:

"Using Facing History's principal resource book, Holocaust and Human Behavior, as well as video, primary sources, and presentations by survivors and leading scholars of the Holocaust, participants will experience a rigorous encounter with this powerful history. During the Seminar, a wide range of innovative teaching strategies are used to help teachers confront the Holocaust. At the conclusion of the Seminar, participants leave with a thorough grounding on how to incorporate these teaching tools into their classrooms in ways that will help students connect the history of the Holocaust to the ethical choices they face today."

From the Minnesota Historical Society website:

"* Classroom Strategies & Materials
* Student Research Resources & Topic Ideas
* Graduation Standards & Performance Assessment
* Project Development (See real, live students do their thing!)

Workshop sessions will be led by History Day coordinators and experienced teachers. Participation is strongly encouraged for teachers with experience at all levels."

From the Chicago History Museum website:

"This two-part series delves into the history of Chicago's Great Migration through compelling historical-fiction short stories based on the Museum's collection.

"Go in-depth into two stories A Bronzeville Story (elementary) and It's a Long Way from Home (middle and high school). Participate in an interactive workshop using the unit plans for each story. Enjoy time in the Museum's galleries."

NOTE: This entry is for part one of the seminar only. To view information on part two, refer to this entry. For more on the Chicago History Museum, refer to NHEC's Museums and Historic Sites listing.

From the Chicago History Museum website:

"This two-part series delves into the history of Chicago's Great Migration through compelling historical-fiction short stories based on the Museum's collection.

"Tour the historic neighborhood of Bronzeville, the center of the Great Migration in Chicago."

NOTE: This entry is for part one of the seminar only. To view information on part two, refer to this entry. For more on the Chicago History Museum, refer to NHEC's Museums and Historic Sites listing.

From the Spertus website:

"Teachers of all levels and settings are invited to join Spertus Museum educators to learn about the exciting new tours, resources, and educational opportunities that are available this year.

Explore letters, language and storytelling in the new Gray Children's Center. Discuss stereotypes and discrimination while you tour the Twisted into Recognition exhibition. Learn about Holocaust education, tours on Jewish heritage and traditions, and the upcoming exhibition A Force for Change: African American Art and the Julius Rosenwald Fund.

Ask about earning CPDUs as part of your visit by participating in our fall teacher workshop, Storytelling: A Gateway to Literacy. End your visit by catching up with colleagues over a glass of wine and light refreshments."

From the North Carolina Museum of History website:

"Get to know the state's American Indian tribes. Examine some of these groups within the contexts of education, government and politics, language, and the arts. The workshop will pay particular attention to today's eight state-recognized tribes."

From the North Carolina Museum of History website:

"The stock market rises and falls. A shaky economy means job losses, business closings, changed lives. Is it 1929 or 2009? Lessons from the past can help us cope with hard times today. How do government and businesses stimulate growth? How do people reshape their lives as they hope for returning prosperity? Topics include work, social programs, home life, food, entertainment, and recreation.

Join fellow educators for an engaging four-day program in Raleigh as we explore the Great Depression and the New Deal, the effect on North Carolina, and its comparison to the economic crisis of today. Take a variety of resources, including primary source material from this relevant period, back to your classroom. Interact with speakers, participate in discussions, and try new hands-on activities."