TEACHER RESOURCES

Teacher Resource Guides
With spectacular immersive environments, traditional exhibit galleries and high-tech special effects theaters, a visit to the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum promises a memorable day for all visitors. But for a teacher with a large group of school children in tow, navigating through the museum, while providing a meaningful learning experience, can be a daunting endeavor. To help you prepare yourself and your students, the ALPLM Education Department has created teacher resource guides specifically for educators bringing a school group to the ALPLM.

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Museum Experience Teacher Resource Guide is filled with pre-visit, on-site and post-visit activities. Learn what to expect on the day of your tour as well as lesson plans and activities to prepare students for an enriching museum experience. This guide contains a museum questionnaire (scavenger hunt) for students to use in the museum during their tour.

Mary Todd Lincoln: First Lady of Controversy was created for teachers to use in conjunction with the temporary exhibit running in the ALPLM's Illinois Gallery from late April through Fall 2008. Lesson plans and activities can be used in the classroom or as part of an on-site visit.

Mrs. President: From Martha to Laura Teacher Resource Guide was created in conjunction with the ALPLM's temporary exhibit by the same name. The activities in this guide can be used to facilitate a museum visit or enhance classroom work. The guide includes lesson plans for all grade levels and addresses numerous learning standards. Explore the life of the First Ladies and First Kids through fun art projects, creative writing and meaningful group discussions.

Mr. Lincoln's Attic was created in conjunction with the opening of a temporary exhibit by the same name. The guide provides educators with the historical background of the exhibit, as well as activities, worksheets, vocabulary and more, all geared to the Illinois Learning Standards. Topics explored include "Why We Collect" and "Do Objects Talk" which invites students to take on the role of the museum professional in examining artifacts to reveal the stories behind them.

Women's History Month contains exciting ideas for bringing Women's History into the classroom.

Black History Month In celebration of Black History Month, the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library (ALPL) exhibited a photographic display on African-American History, taken from the collections housed at the ALPL. This guide is filled with information and ideas to bring Black History Month into your classroom. The guide provides educators with historical background of Black History Month, biographical sketches of African-American History Makers, as well as activities, additional resources and more.

Christmas at the White House contains information and ideas to bring Christmas at the White House into your classroom. The guide provides educators with historical background to the traditions surrounding the White House Christmas celebration, as well as activities, discussion questions, primary documents, additional resources and more.

Other workshops we offer include...

Horace Mann-Abraham Lincoln Fellowship 2007 Summer Teacher Institute
Spend five days in Springfield, Illinois exploring the life and legacy of Abraham Lincoln. Horace Mann and the ALPLM have teamed up to offer 50 teachers (one from each state) fellowships including round-trip transportation to Springfield, hotel and most meals, plus five days of workshops, lectures and historic site visits. For more information and to apply online visit: http://www.horacemann.com/educator-resources/abraham-lincolnfellowship. html

Political Cartoons in the Classroom
This two-hour workshop will introduce educators to using political cartoons to teach across the curriculum. Upon completion of this workshop, teachers will have a basic understanding of the history of political cartoons; identify the elements of cartoons (exaggeration, symbolism, labeling, irony and analogy); identify methods and techniques used by cartoonists to convey messages, including line, shading and form; interpret political cartoons to understand the cartoonist's point of view; identify online and print resources for finding political cartoons and have a clear plan for utilizing political cartoons in the classroom.

Teaching with Primary Sources
Bringing primary sources into the classroom exposes students to multiple perspectives on history issues and helps them develop analytical abilities. When students work with primary sources they ask questions, think critically, make inferences and develop reasoned explanations and interpretations of past events. In this workshop, teachers will explore ways to bring primary sources into the classroom.

"This Damned Old House," Abraham Lincoln in the White House
This two hour workshop will cover the adjustments the Lincoln's experienced in moving from Illinois to the White House and the impact of Washington's social scene on the family. The daily routine of President Lincoln will be examined from the burdens of the Civil War, to dealing with office seekers, his lack of privacy and the responsibilities of the presidency. Participants will also explore Mary Lincoln's renovations and how her endeavors were viewed by her contemporaries. Practical ideas and activities will be offered for incorporating the Lincoln's experience into the classroom curriculum.

Artifacts: Tangible, Touchable, Teachable Tools
Using artifacts in the classroom to explore stories from the past is an excellent way, not only to study history, but to improve oral language development which in turn can enhance students' reading and writing skills. In this hands-on session, participants will analyze reproduction artifacts, including objects, primary documents, images, political cartoons, and more, to learn methods and criteria for selecting teachable primary sources for their classroom. Participants will learn how to analyze these materials and activities to utilize them across the curriculum.