New Classroom Programs at the Early American Museum

Do you need hands-on objects to help present exciting and effective
programs about history? If you are finding it difficult to schedule a
field trip to the Early American Museum, consider bringing a part of us to
you! Our outreach programs aim to bring the museum into your classroom
through both Traveling Discovery Kits and Museum Educator presentations.
Our education programs are available in a variety of disciplines and
topics. All are linked to Illinois Learning Standards and reinforce
curricula at a variety of grade levels. See a list below of our
historical education program topics.
Our traveling trunks are a great way to facilitate hands-on learning and a
great way to enrich the classroom experience with original and
reproduction artifacts, lesson plans, and resource materials. A historical
educator will tailor a visit to meet your needs. See a list below of out
Traveling Discovery Kits.
Call Katie Hicks or Sandy Osborne at (217) 586-2612 to discuss any idea
you have for your classroom. This experience could be for one class or
multiple classes.

Traveling Discovery Kits
All kits are free with a refundable deposit of $50.

Gone for a Soldier
This kit includes some of the personal belongings of a Union soldier in
the Civil War, excerpts from letter of Champaign County Soldiers, and out
Champaign County during the Civil War video.

The Illinois Country
Actual furs and reproductions of trade goods, along with literature about
the interaction between the French and Native Americans in 18th-century
Illinois, are included in this kit.

History from the Heart
This outreach kit is based on the publication of the Illinois Quilt
Research Project, History from the Heart: Quilt Paths Across Illinois. It
includes a copy of the book, study questions, suggested activities, quilt
blocks and storybooks.

Dressed For Work and Play
This kit contains accurate reproduction of everyday clothing worn by boys
and girls in the 1840s. It includes background information for teachers.
Color slides of painting and photographs illustrating 19th—century
children accompany the kit. A complete set of boys and girls clothing is
included. Good for grades K though 5.

Illiniwek Discovery Kit
Touch a brain tanned hide and a bison bone, learn what wampum is and more!
This Discovery Kit focuses on the history and culture of Native Americans
who once lived throughout East Central Illinois. Information on the
Kaskaskia, Peoria, Cahokia, Mascouten, and other members of the Illiniwek
Confederation from 1650 to 1800 is included. This kit was put together by
Dan Hechenberger of the educational nonprofit group Nipundikan and uses
the Goals and Standards for Social Science, Science, Arts and Music,
Language Arts, and Math. Funding for this kit was provided by the Ida
Haack Trust Fund established by Otto Haack.

Lights, Camera, Action!
Use a stereoscope! Make a phantasm scope! Learn to distinguish between a
daguerreotype and a cabinet card. Hands-on reproductions of different
types of photographs as well as persistence of motion devices are
included. Teach science and social studies at the same time!

In-Class Programs
In-class programs can include any of the topics listed above. A few
popular topics have included Life on the prairie, Growing up in the 19th
Century, and First Illinoisans.

Fees for In-Class Programs
Champaign County Schools
Pre-K $20.00 for up to 20 students…$1.00 fee per each additional student
K-12 $25.00 for up to 25 students…$1.50 fee per each additional student

Out of County Schools
Pre-K $25.00 for up to 20 students…$1.50 fee per each additional student
K-12 $30.00 for up to 25 students…$2.00 fee per each additional student

Forest Preserve Field Trips
If you rather visit us, we also have school programs at Lake of the
Woods, Middle Fork and Homer Lake. Please call or email
Stacey Clementz
Environmental Education Programs
(217) 896-2455
sclementz@ccfpd.org

Katie Hicks/ Sandy Osborne
Historical Education Programs
(217) 586-2612
khicks@ccfpd.org
sosborne@ccfpd.org

Ralph Bonati
Plant Science Programs
(217) 586-2612
rbonati@ccfpd.org

Benjamin Franklin: In Search of a Better World,

From the Journal Gazette and Times-Courier:

"Eastern Illinois University's Booth Library will host a reception and program for the exhibit "Benjamin Franklin: In Search of a Better World," on Wednesday January 12th, 2011.

The reception begins at 7 p.m. in the Marvin Foyer. Following opening remarks, Fred Krebs will perform in "An Evening with Benjamin Franklin" in the West Reading Room, the university said.

The exhibit, "Benjamin Franklin: In Search of a Better World," tells the story of the man who began his life as a poor printer's apprentice and ended it as a revered elder statesmen known throughout the world for his wisdom, wit, and resourcefulness.

The exhibit will be on display until Feb. 25."

To read the full article, click here.

Horace Mann and Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library Fellowship Program

Each summer in Springfield, 50 teachers are given behind-the-scenes access to educational resources and historians at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum as part of a fellowship program. The program is jointly sponsored by the Presidential Library and Museum and the Horace Mann Company. The program covers the cost of round-trip transportation, as well as lodging and meals while in Springfield. Fellows will tour New Salem State Historic Site where Lincoln lived as a young man, the Lincoln Home, the Old Illinois State Capitol where Lincoln made his "house divided speech, the Lincoln-Herndon Law Office, and Lincoln's Tomb. Attendees will broaden their knowledge their knowledge of the Sixteenth President through lectures, workshops and group discussions.

The 2011 program will accept 25 teachers for the June 19-24 session and another 25 for the July 10-15 session. Teachers may select their preferred session date. Note to AHTC teachers: These dates do not conflict with the AHTC Mini-Summer Institute on Immigration or the AHTC Summer Institute on the History of Illinois. The deadline for this fellowship has been extended to February 12, 2011.

Apply online at :
http://alplm.pmailus.com/pmailweb/ct?d=Ouyu7gAWAAEAAAl6AASSFw

January and February Events at the University of Illinois

Hello, AHTC teachers!
Welcome back from Winter Break! The University of Illinois Office of the Vice Chancellor for Public Engagement has released a calendar of events to commemorate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. These events, spanning January and February, include a day of service, a fireside chat and film screenings. Of particular interest is the January 22nd event celebrating the winners of the MLK Writing Contest. The Urbana High School String Alongs and the Franklin Middle School Step Team will perform. Additionally, students from Garden Hills and King Schools will perform "We are the World." Artwork and writing from local students who entered the 2011 Martin Luther King Writing Contest will be displayed at the University of Illinois Main Library for the month of February. To see the complete calendar, please click here.