This workshop provides a varied program of lectures, demonstrations, analysis of documents, independent research, and group work that introduces teachers to the holdings and organization of the National Archives. Participants will learn how to do research in historical records, create classroom material from records, and present documents in ways that sharpen students' skills and enthusiasm for history, social studies, and the humanities. Each participant selects and prepares to research a specific topic, searches the topic in the records of the National Archives, and develops a teaching unit that can be presented in his or her own classroom.

Ralph Ellison's Invisible Man (1952) is the great American novel about race, perhaps even the great American novel. It considers and affirms the principle—that "mysterious binding force"—that holds the U.S. together as a people and that is tied to its own history. In doing so it raises all the important political questions about equality, freedom, rights and justice; the legacy of slavery and white supremacy; our "human and absurd diversity." The novel's deliberate attempt, in Ellison's words, "to return to the mood of personal moral responsibility for democracy" makes perfectly clear the connection between literature and politics. The seminar will also consider a few of Ellison's essays bearing directly on Invisible Man.

The story of sugar's transformation from luxury product to ubiquitous commodity in the modern Western diet offers a rich vantage on transatlantic and world history. It also prods students and scholars to deeper consideration of the myriad social, cultural, and economic processes within which even the most seemingly banal substances can be enmeshed. Seminar participants will explore these connections and processes, with special attention to the Caribbean. The link between sugar cultivation and the transatlantic slave trade—and the enduring, intertwined legacies of both—will be an important area of discussion and analysis.

Google Earth lets users see the world around them in brand-new ways. Travel to the Great Pyramids, analyze live earthquake data, compare before and after images of deforestation, or integrate literature and social studies. But how can educators use it best to improve learning? Participants in this workshop will spend the day adapting existing Google Earth tours and creating a few of their own.

From the Kansas Historical Society newsletter:

"This workshop presents an exciting inquiry into past cultures through a hands-on, minds-on integrated unit for seventh grade, Project
Archaeology 'Migration of the Pueblo People to El Cuartelejo.'

Enduring Understandings:

Archaeology is a valuable way to learn about past cultures

There are different perspectives on why particular groups migrate

Evidence of the past is worth protecting"

The story of America is a story of immigration. From the first colonial settlers through the wave of 19th-century immigrants to the 20th-century refugees from war and famine to those still coming today, the desire to build a better life has motivated millions to U.S. shores. What does it mean to be an immigrant? What forces compel you to embark on an uncertain journey? What is life like in a new and strange country? To complement students' study of historic periods of immigration, this program invites students to hear the stories of 19th-century immigrants to St. Louis.

In this program, educators and their students will have the opportunity to learn about the wide variety of European immigrants that came to St Louis in the mid- and later part of the 19th century. Students will interact with archivists and historians as they share stories of immigrants and what their life was like as they crossed the ocean and settled in this new land. They will learn about Mullanphy Emigrant Home in St. Louis which, according to Sean Thomas, Executive Director of the Old North St. Louis Restoration Group, functioned as a "lighthouse, a safe haven for immigrants getting their start" in St. Louis. Participants will find out about the services available at the Mullanphy House and how immigrants contributed to the vibrant growth of St. Louis in the 19th century.

The story of America is a story of immigration. From the first colonial settlers through the wave of 19th-century immigrants to the 20th-century refugees from war and famine to those still coming today, the desire to build a better life has motivated millions to U.S. shores. What does it mean to be an immigrant? What forces compel you to embark on an uncertain journey? What is life like in a new and strange country? To complement students' study of historic periods of immigration, this program invites students to hear the stories of 19th-century immigrants to St. Louis.

In this program, educators and their students will have the opportunity to learn about the wide variety of European immigrants that came to St Louis in the mid- and later part of the 19th century. Students will interact with archivists and historians as they share stories of immigrants and what their life was like as they crossed the ocean and settled in this new land. They will learn about Mullanphy Emigrant Home in St. Louis which, according to Sean Thomas, Executive Director of the Old North St. Louis Restoration Group, functioned as a "lighthouse, a safe haven for immigrants getting their start" in St. Louis. Participants will find out about the services available at the Mullanphy House and how immigrants contributed to the vibrant growth of St. Louis in the 19th century.

The Great Depression. World War II. The Fabulous Fifties. Experience these memorable moments of the 20th century through the eyes of those who lived it. Educators can be among the first to visit the Minnesota Historical Center's new exhibit, Minnesota's Greatest Generation, the capstone to a four-year project. After touring the exhibit, educators will discover tools for conducting oral histories and teaching these important eras in the classroom.

The Minnesota Historical Society will help participants make their very own Discovery Boxes. Each educator will walk away with a teaching box, filled with props and primary sources related to Minnesota's fur trade. Participants will also brainstorm with fellow teachers and experience a hands-on fur trade lesson.

Minnesota celebrated its 150th birthday in 2008, but the impact of statehood on American Indian communities must not be underestimated. Participants in this workshop will explore how settlement has affected Indian people throughout Minnesota's statehood, and learn more about the cultural, social, and political impacts on Indian communities during the past 150 years. The workshop will focus on the Dakota.