CLASSROOM CONNECTIONS

Students become historians with the ALPLM Classroom Connections Program, which offers structured research opportunities using primary documents from the Library collections. The program includes a self-guided tour of the Presidential Museum.

Program I

ALPLM Education Division staff will lead these hands-on sessions in the Library classroom using reproduction documents and artifacts from the ALPLM collection.

Teachers may choose one of the following sessions:

19th Century Kids
What was it like to grow up in the 19th century? Find out in this exploration of school, work and play. Daily chores, blab schools, games and entertainment will be just some of the topics covered through primary documents from the ALPLM collections. Time: One hour, plus museum tour (recommended time for tour: 2 hours) Grade Level: 3-8

Amazing Artifacts
Learn about the life of a Civil War Soldier while getting up close and personal with reproduction artifacts. Explore the past in hands-on activities and utilize critical thinking skills to discover: “What is it?” “Who made it?” and “What was it used for?” Time: One hour, plus museum tour (recommended time for tour: 2 hours) Grade Level: 6-12

Political Cartoons
Examine political cartoons from the collections of the ALPLM to identify common elements and characteristics still found in today’s illustrated editorials. Time: One hour, plus museum tour (recommended time for tour: 2 hours) Grade Level: 6-12

Viewpoints: Lincoln, Slavery and Race
Through small-group research and discussion, students explore primary documents to understand the issue of slavery and race in antebellum America. Time: 1 ½ hours, plus museum tour (recommended time for tour: 2 hours) Grade Level: 11-12

Program II—Historical Research at the ALPLM
Lead your students in a guided research opportunity at the ALPLM. This program offers students the chance to research pre-selected topics using select primary source materials found in the ALPLM collections. Materials will include three subject-related, thought-provoking, questions that teachers can use as guidelines to direct class research and discussion and a CD of documents used at the ALPLM to be taken back to the classroom. Please note: This is a teacher-led program. ALPLM staff will be on hand to assist but will not actually lead this program.

Time: 1-3 hours, plus museum tour (recommended time for tour: 2 hours)
Grade Level: 9-12

Current topics available are:
Lincoln-Douglas Debates     Emancipation Proclamation
Election of 1860               Lincoln’s America
Slavery                    Commemorating Lincoln
Lincoln and Leadership     Mary Todd Lincoln

Other information for a successful visit:
Please see the Plan Your School Visit section of our website to make the most of your visit to the ALPLM. School groups visiting the Museum as part of the Classroom Connection Program will be held to the same rules and regulations as regular school tours, including our chaperon policy of 1 chaperone per 10 students. Additional chaperones will be required to purchase a ticket on the day or the tour.

It is strongly suggested that teachers make a pre-visit to the Library/Museum prior to bringing students for a Classroom Connections session and Museum tour. A free Educator Pass is available at http://www.alplm.org/education/Online_Educator_Pass.pdf.

Lunch is not provided as part of the Classroom Connection Program. Classes may bring a sack lunch or box lunches may be ordered directly from the Museum Café by calling 217/523-2247. The cost of box lunches is $7.50 each. There are also numerous restaurants in the downtown area and picnic facilities available at Union Square Park directly across from the Museum.

Available Session Dates:
(Any of the programs above may be conducted on a given date.)

2007
Wednesday, Nov. 28
Wednesday, Dec. 5
Wednesday, Dec. 12

2008
Friday, Jan. 11
Wednesday, Jan. 16
Wednesday, Feb. 6
Friday, Feb. 29
Wednesday, March 12
Friday, March 28
Wednesday, April 9
Friday, April 18
Friday, May 2
Wednesday, May 7


Advanced Registration Required:
Registration for each date will be accepted on a first come, first served basis. Space is limited to one class or a combined class of no more than 35 students.

NOTE: There is no charge for the Classroom Connection Program or accompanying Museum tour. However, a refundable deposit of $50.00 is required to hold a program date. This deposit will be returned on day of program. Please make checks payable to the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library Foundation.

Complete the registration form and return with deposit to: Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, Education Division, 212 North Sixth Street, Springfield, IL 62701. Do not send cash.

For more information contact Randy Wiseman at randy.wiseman@illinois.gov or 217/558-9016.