Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum News


	For Immediate Release: September 7, 2006	Contact: Jill Burwitz (ALPLM) (217) 558-8970 office (217) 299-6165 cell
	Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum's Education Department invite teachers back-to-school Complimentary fall workshops announced Springfield, Ill. The Education Department of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum (ALPLM) is inviting teachers "back to school" with its fall lineup of complimentary workshops for educators. Under their "Teaching Teachers" initiative, the ALPLM is committed to providing educators with strong content-based programs on a variety of topics relevant to the legacy of Abraham Lincoln and Illinois History. Content-rich lectures are paired with hands-on classroom application programs to provide educators with ideas and methods for teaching historical content across the curriculum using digital resources, primary documents and material culture. Workshops are designed for educators in most subjects and in all grade levels. "The Library and Museum offer such wonderful and varied resources for teachers," said Erin Bishop, Director of Education, Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum. "Through our workshops, the Education Department connects teachers to these materials and helps them identify ways to utilize them creatively in their classrooms." Beginning on Wednesday, September 13, from 3:30-7:30 p.m. and on Saturday, September 16, from 9:00-1:00 p.m., the Education Department will hold its Teacher Orientation Workshop. This four-hour workshop will introduce educators to the resources available at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum. Learn how to schedule a tour, how to prepare your class for their visit and methods for making the most of your school trip to the Museum. In addition, find out how to access digital resources from the Library collections, how to utilize the Library for research and other opportunities for professional development and classroom activities available through the ALPLM Education Department. The session will include a tour of the Museum. On Wednesday, October 4, from 3:30-6:30 p.m., teachers may attend Madame President. Offered in conjunction with the special temporary exhibit in the Illinois Gallery, Mrs. President: From Martha to Laura, this workshop will introduce teachers to the fascinating lives of some of our most memorable first ladies. Learn about their roles in the White House, their political interests, and the triumphs and tragedies that befell these remarkable women. Lesson plans and classroom activities will also be presented. The workshop will include a tour of the new exhibit. Artifacts: Tangible, Touchable, Teachable Tools will be offered on Wednesday, November 8 from 9:00-3:00 p.m. 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. All workshops are free and will be held in the first floor classroom of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library. Professional development units (CPDUs) will be offered for each workshop. To register, contact Carol Manning, Education Coordinator, at 217-558-8929 or via email at mailto:carol.manning@illinois.gov. For additional information visit the Museum website at www.alplm.org. ###