Professional Development for Social Studies Teachers
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District 205's Teaching American History Grant
The Freedom Project
The Freedom Project is designed for teachers in grades 5, 7, 8, and high school teachers of United States History. Please contact Betsy Homewood, TAH Project Director, (Roosevelt Center: 815/966-3250, ext. 4341) for additional information.
RPS #205's "Freedom Project" is gearing up for its second year of providing professional development to teachers in the district who teach US history. Beginning in late May, teachers will have the opportunity to sign on for the grant's second year in one of two ways--as a "Freedom Project Scholar" or as a "Freedom Project Participant." FP Scholars are those who complete the application process for the Freedom Project and commit themselves to the grant's requirements for a one-year term. Through this commitment, the FP Scholars attend major symposiums and workshops and create six (6) well-written lesson plans based on the themes of the major symposiums for which they will receive a stipend of $1000. FP Scholars are automatically registered for all events sponsored by the TAH Grant and will receive a complimentary copy of each book selected for each major symposium. FP Scholars work with the grant's Historian-in-Residence at least once each semester to design and create lesson plans; they also have the opportunity, based on their commitment, to be eligible for end of the year Field Study Travel for a week at that year's designated location with all expenses paid: Year Two's location is Boston!!
FP Participants may take part in any and all of the TAH Grant's functions but they must register ahead of time for each event. If among the first 40 to register, FP Participants will receive complimentary copies of the selected books for each symposium and meals will be provided. FP Participants are not asked to create lesson plans but they may request a session with the Historian-in-Residence should time slots be available. FP Participants are NOT eligible for the end of the year Field Study Travel.
Applications may be completed at any time but must be in by the August 30th deadline. You will be able to access the application form through this link.
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National Humanities Center
Summer Institutes and More!
"The National Humanities Center is the only major independent American institute for advanced study in all fields of the humanities. Privately incorporated and governed by a distinguished board of trustees from academic, professional, and public life, the Center was planned under the auspices of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and began operation in 1978. It provides a national focus for the best work in the liberal arts, drawing attention to the enduring value of ancient and modern history, language and literature, ethical and moral reflection, artistic and cultural traditions, and critical thought in every area of humanistic investigation. By encouraging excellence in scholarship, the Center seeks to insure the continuing strength of the liberal arts and to affirm the importance of the humanities in American life." Check out their Summer Study offerings! Their Toolbox Library contains "a toolbox of primary resources—historical documents, literary texts, and works of art—thematically organized with notes and discussion questions." Outstanding! |
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Rockford Society, Archaeological Institute of America
Local Lectures!
"Rockford Society, AIA has annually provided a series of free, open-to-the-public lectures by noted archaeologists and scholars relating to sites throughout the world. Lecture attendees are not archaeologists, but are drawn by a shared interest in archaeology. In addition, the society hosts both foreign and domestic field trips. Rockford boasts a long and demonstrable tradition in archaeology and the eminent James Henry Breasted was born and is buried in Rockford, IL." |
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Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History
Summer Seminars for Teachers
"The Gilder Lehrman Summer Seminars are designed to strengthen participants' commitment to high quality history teaching. Public, parochial, independent school teachers, and National Park Service rangers are eligible. These weeklong seminars provide intellectual stimulation and a collaborative context for developing practical resources and strategies to take back to the classroom. Information about 2010 seminars (including dates and application forms) will be posted in October, 2009." |
National Constitution Center
Summer Institutes
The deadline was in March so stay tuned for next year's programs! |
Presidential Academy for American History & Civics
Information
Again, the deadline has passed so consider this outstanding opportunity for 2010! |
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Workshops and Seminars in U.S. History and American Literature
Live and Online!
The National Humanities Center, located in North Carolina's Research Triangle Park, is the country's only independent institute for advanced study in all branches of the humanities. Since 1984, it has been offering rigorous, content-based professional development programs for high school teachers. These workshops are designed for K-12 U.S. History and American Literature teachers. |
Summer Seminars
Information via the TAH Grant
Click on the link on the bottom left-hand side of the page "to find out about hundreds of summer seminar opportunities for K-12 teachers at locations all around the country! Many of these seminars pay stipends for travel and cover the cost of room and board as well!! Don't wait, though, as most applications are due in February or early March!" |
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Summer 2010 Professional Development Offerings
From District 205
Visit this link for information regarding the 2010 Summer Professional Development offerings. All trainings require registration to be completed online. SunGard trainings will be held in June and August and, since all teachers will be doing attendance via the district's laptop computer, it is important to receive this training. MS and HS teachers will also keep grades through SunGard. Don't forget to register for the Teaching American History Grant's summer events/activities through this vehicle. You will receive an email confirmation after your registration is complete.
ONLINE REGISTRATION
Before you register, please review this important information:
• You must register online to attend a workshop/training. Please visit the Professional Development web page and link to: http://www.kidsroe.org/rps/default.php.
• All workshops held in May and in the months ahead will be on the online registration system.
• Online registration requires your District sign‐on and 6 character password.
• Your employee ID# should be inserted where indicated. Please click on this area and enter your ID number.
• Summer Professional Development is available to individuals who will be an active District employee for the 2010/2011 school year.
• Please register at least 10 days before a workshop unless stated otherwise.
• There is no limit to the number of workshops you sign‐up for, but the workshop MUST relate to your grade level and/or subject.
• Please be sure you are committed to attending a workshop. You cannot cancel a workshop online. Workshop registrations can only be canceled by calling the Professional Development Department at 815/967‐8066 or emailing Julie Burger at burger@rps205.com.
• Withdrawing from a workshop needs to be done ASAP so we can fill the open seat. Please call Julie Burger at 815/967‐8066 to withdraw from a workshop or email Julie at burger@rps205.com.
• If you are a no-show at a workshop or training, you will be blocked from signing up for or attending additional workshops/trainings.
• You can only attend a workshop/training if you have signed up for it. There are no walk‐ins and/or substitutions.
• A teacher may not repeat a workshop for which they previously received either a stipend, CPDU and or a salary credit.
• Attendees must arrive by the start of the workshop and remain until the end of the workshop to be eligible for any stipend, salary credit or CPDU.
• An Evaluation must be completed to receive an Evidence of Completion form (proof of CPDU’s earned).
• Classes will be cancelled if the minimum of 10 seats are not filled.
• Please check back to the website often as we will be adding workshops and trainings throughout the summer.
It is extremely important that all participants understand and adhere to the registration conditions of each workshop. Read the descriptors carefully. |
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