Oregon Council for the Social Studies Spring Conference
The theme of this conference is "Oregon's First People: A Workshop for Educators."
The theme of this conference is "Oregon's First People: A Workshop for Educators."
Students explore American history as they research and portray famous Americans as part of this interactive videoconference. Each participating class will give three 60-second presentations about three different famous Americans. Snapshots should include pertinent facts about the famous American—and the student representing the famous American should be dressed like the person they are portraying. After the presentations, there will be a five-minute "reflection period" where teachers can facilitate classroom discussion and students can deduce which famous Americans were being portrayed.
Students explore American history as they research and portray famous Americans as part of this interactive videoconference. Each participating class will give three 60-second presentations about three different famous Americans. Snapshots should include pertinent facts about the famous American—and the student representing the famous American should be dressed like the person they are portraying. After the presentations, there will be a five-minute "reflection period" where teachers can facilitate classroom discussion and students can deduce which famous Americans were being portrayed.
The rhetoric and practice of supporting democracy around the world has been a part of American diplomacy for more than a century. Alongside episodes of hypocrisy and horrible failure, one can also observe moments of sincerity and spectacular success. This course will consider both, with a particular emphasis on American policy and Latin America during the 20th century.
The United States is often described as a "melting pot" of ethnic groups or as a "nation of immigrants." Though most of us could easily find references to this melting pot in popular culture today, few realize that the concept has a long and contested history. In this two-day seminar, participants will explore primary sources from the past two centuries that describe the nation as a melting pot or as a "crucible" where the fusion of different national cultures will occur. Through close readings, they will consider how the meaning of the melting pot has changed over time and how it has informed debates about what it means to be an American. Even as they take a long view of the melting pot in American history, they will pay particular attention to the early 20th century and to debates about restricting the flow of immigrants to the United States.
Attendees at this lecture will join two Chicago-area archivists, a public historian, and an historian of women in a conversation about collecting, preserving, accessing, and using papers of African Americans and women. Following 1015 minute presentations by the speakers, drawn from their own projects and institution's missions, they will engage in a panel discussion with each other and audience members on what local research institutions and community organizations are doing to collect and make accessible manuscripts and other primary sources that will fuel future historical narratives.
This workshop will use resources from the Buck Institute and others to focus on both the theory and implementation of Problem-Based Learning (PBL).
Who killed the Iceman? What really happened at the Battle of the Little Big Horn? What became of the lost colony of Roanoke? Who was the Man in the Iron Mask? How did Cortez conquer the Aztecs? Teachers can use these and mysteries like them to focus student attention AND meet state standards. This workshop will provide resources, examples, and time to begin constructing a history mystery unit.
Teachers affect the growth and development of every citizen in the United States. However, North Carolina schools have been asked to return $58 million to the state, and as schools tighten their budgets teacher professional development is often the first item cut. Thanks to a variety of partnerships, the LEARN NC Invest in Teachers Grant will award several grants ranging from $5,000 to $50,000, accompanied by an additional 50 percent match from the winning schools, so teachers will still receive the training and support they need to help their students succeed in the classroom and in life. Grant funds must be used for LEARN NC online professional development.
Applications must be accompanied by a letter of support from an authorized school or LEA officer, printed on official letterhead; grant winners are expected to add a 50 percent match to all awarded funds; grant funds must be used for LEARN NC online professional development; preference will be given to schools in the rural low-income school program, as defined by the United States Department of Education for the 2008 fiscal year.
The Academy offers educators content and strategies for teaching the "Seven Principles of Constitutionalism" and the "U.S. Constitution in Time of Crisis." Important events and decisions concerning equality in American history will also be studied. A team of talented scholars and consultants will present information and lessons dealing with TAKS Objectives One and Four. A variety of demonstrated lessons will incorporate multi-use visuals, music, and interactive strategies.
Like other citizens, U.S. Presidents attended elementary and secondary schools and then college. They went to classes; did their homework; joined clubs; participated in band, debate, and sports; worked on newspaper staffs; and ran for class office. The Harry S. Truman Library and Museum will host the National Archives traveling exhibit, "School House to White House: The Education of Presidents." Visitors journey back to the schooldays of the 20th-century presidents through photographs, archival materials, and museum objects revealing fascinating detail about the children who would one day grow up to be President of the United States. In conjunction with this exhibit, a teacher workshop will be held. Educators from four Presidential Libraries (Hoover, Truman, Eisenhower, and Clinton) will share information and teaching activities for use in the classroom.