Fall 2012 National Humanities Center’s America in Class Online Seminars

The National Humanities Center has released its online seminar schedule for Fall 2012. These seminars are targeted to provide ELA and social studies teachers with professional development to deepen their content knowledge and to promote the teaching of the analytical and close reading skills called for by the Common Core Standards. America in Class seminars, conducted by leading scholars, will address how to use primary source materials such as historical documents, literature, and works of art to explore topics such as slavery in British North American and consumer politics in the American Revolution, to study works of literature such as The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin and Poe’s “The Raven” in context, and to examine how artists depict America–among other topics.

Seminar texts are provided free online.

Seminars typically cost $35 each. Teachers in the Greece Central School District may contact me for a promotional code that will enable you to register for Fall 2012 seminars at no charge.

First Freedom Student Competition

The First Freedom Center, a non-profit, non-political, non-denominational organization based in Richmond, Virginia, and dedicated to advancing the fundamental human rights of freedom of religion and freedom of conscience, is announcing its 20^th annual First Freedom Student Competition. This national essay and video contest offers students in grades 9 through 12 with an opportunity to compete for $2,500 awards as they examine the First Amendment and the history and implementation of freedom of religion and conscience in American democracy and the world today. Students then present their evaluation in written essay or video format.

This year’s topic introduces students to George Washington’s famous Letter to the Hebrew Congregation in Newport, Rhode Island of 1790, where he addresses a new standard for religious freedom and religious equality for citizens of the young nation. Students will identify the basic principles of religious liberty espoused in this primary document and will research and assess how well the United States has lived up to Washington’s ideal. For the complete topic, essay and video guidelines, registration, classroom poster, student flyer and other details, visit First Freedom Student Competition 2012/2013.

Students must register online on or before Monday, November 12, 2012, and the postmark deadline for mailing the essay or video with its accompanying entry materials is Monday, November 26, 2012. Winners will be announced on Thomas Jefferson’s birthday, April 13, 2013.

Smithsonian American Art Museum–Clarice Smith National Teacher Institutes

The Smithsonian American Art Museum invites you to join colleagues from across the country for an exploration of the connections among American art, technology, and your curricula. The museum is sponsoring two week-long institutes in Washington, D.C. and the opportunity to stay connected with newfound colleagues and museum staff following the institutes.

Institutes will be held July 9-13, 2012, and July 30-August 3, 2012. Teachers of core subject areas for grades 6-12 are encouraged to apply; however, priority will be given to ELA and social studies teachers.

Online applications are due April 2, 2012.

A limited number of $500 scholarships for institute participation are also available. Scholarship applications are due April 30, 2012.

For more information about the institute, the application, and the scholarship opportunity:

http://americanart.si.edu/education/dev/cs/?pos=ad_2&adv=Smithsonian

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