Landmarks of American History and Culture Workshop
About
A Revolution in Government: Philadelphia, American Independence and the Constitution, 1765-1791
National Constitution Center, Philadelphia, PA
Experience American history in the heart of Philadelphia!
This week-long teacher workshop explores the American Revolution and the creation of the U.S. Constitution through the use of the Center's innovative museum exhibitions, lectures by leading scholars, discussion and classroom application, and visits to numerous historic landmarks.
You may apply to up to two NEH summer projects in any one year (Landmarks Workshops, NEH Summer Seminars, or Institutes), but may participate in only one project per summer. For a list of other NEH workshops for summer 2011, please go to this webpage
Offered July 11-15 or July 18-22, 2011
- For teachers of grades K-12.
- Each workshop includes a stipend of $1200 to help cover hotel, travel and other costs.
- Earn 40 Continuing Education credits for completing this workshop.
___________________________________________________________________
Application Deadline: March 1, 2011
What You'll Need to Apply:
- Read the Dear Colleague Letter
- Complete the NEH online Coversheet.
- One copy submitted electronically to NEH.
- Three hard copies submitted by mail to the National Constitution Center.
- Three copies of a detailed résumé submitted by mail to the National Constitution Center
- Three copies of an application essay, not to exceed one double-spaced page, submitted by mail to the National Constitution Center. This essay should include information about your professional background and interest in the subject of the workshop; your special perspectives, skills, or experiences that would contribute to the workshop; and how the experience would enhance your teaching or school service.
- One letter of recommendation from an administrator, department head or the head of a home school association in support of your application. Please ask your referee to sign across the seal on the back of the envelope containing the letter. Enclose the letter with your application.
We request three copies of your complete application (cover letter, résumé, essay, and letter of recommendation), collated and stapled.
No applicant will be discriminated against based on race, gender, sexual orientation, ethnic religion, disability, or any other protected category. Wherever reasonable, the National Constitution Center will make accommodations for participants with identified disabilities.
Submit the above materials to:
Summer Teacher Workshop
National Constitution Center
525 Arch Street
Philadelphia, PA 19106
More information:
Email teacher@constitutioncenter.org
___________________________________________________________________
Tentative Agenda
To see the full tentative agenda, click here.
Day One: The Anglo-American Heritage of Liberty 1215 - 1763
8:00 - 8:30 a.m.
Registration, Coffee and Refreshments
Annenberg Lobby
8:30 - 9:00 a.m.
Opening Statements and Introductions
John C. Bogle Chairman's Room
Dr. Steve Frank, Chief Interpretive Officer
Kerry Sautner, Directer of Public Programs
9:00 - 10:30 a.m.
Tour of the National Constitution Center Building, Freedom Rising, and Permanent Exhibition
10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Guided tour through Old City, beginning and ending at the National Constitution Center, led by Dr. Gordon Lloyd from Pepperdine University
12:00 - 1:00 p.m.
Lunch (on your own)
1:00 - 2:15 p.m.
Lecture and Discussion, "Philadelphia 1787: Principles and Politics," with Dr. Lloyd
2:15 - 2:30 p.m.
Break
2:30 - 3:30 p.m.
Presentation of TeachingAmericanHistory.org website with Dr. Lloyd
3:30 - 4:30 p.m.
Lesson Expectations and Classroom Application
4:30 - 5:30 p.m.
Tour of the Center's Special Exhibition, Discover the Real George Washington: New Views from Mount Vernon
To see the full tentative agenda,
click here.
___________________________________________________________________
Continuing Education Credits
Arcadia University Partnership
Arcadia University, in partnership with the National Constitution Center, will offer three graduate level credits for students who successfully complete each Summer Institute. The cost for the graduate credits is $265 per Institute.
In order to receive the graduate credits, please register here.
Instructions for registration can be found here.
___________________________________________________________________
Comments From Past Participants
"Teaching the Constitution is one of the most important things that we do...The scholars have been great, the exhibits have been inspiring and I feel very honored to be here."
- Ann P. from Denver, CO
"We have people coming from all over the country and the ability to collaborate, learn and share ideas with those people is invaluable."
- Steve P. from Moorhead, MN
"My only regret is that it's way too much good stuff for such a short period of time."
- Bill M. from Jonesville, NC
___________________________________________________________________
FAQs
Download a pdf version of FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible for the Summer Teacher Workshops?
The program is open to public, private and home-school teachers as well as other
school personnel. Teachers and administrators from all levels and disciplines may
apply, but preference will be given to teachers who incorporate American history
themes and civics in their classrooms. Please consult the grade level recommendations
posted at www.constitutioncenter.org/summer.
Are teachers in foreign schools allowed to apply?
Teachers at schools in the United States or its territorial possessions or Americans
teaching in foreign schools where at least 50 percent of the students are American
nationals are eligible for this program. Applicants must be United States citizens,
residents of U.S. jurisdictions, or foreign nationals who have been residing in the United
States or its territories for at least the three years immediately preceding the application
deadline. Foreign nationals teaching abroad at non-U.S. chartered institutions are not
eligible to apply. Click here for more information.
Are teachers from the same school or institution allowed to apply to the
Workshops?
Yes.
How will applicants be selected?
All applications will be read by a selection committee, comprised of the National
Constitution Center’s Education staff and members of the Workshop’s faculty. The
committee will be looking for applications that demonstrate a genuine passion for the
teaching of the United States Constitution and the applicability of the content presented
in the Workshop to your classroom.
at is the stipend and what does it pay for?
1,200 stipend is provided to help cover the cost of housing, travel, and other costs
you may incur at the Workshop. The National Constitution Center will provide coffee
every morning and a group dinner on Thursday evening.
is the $1,200 stipend given out?
stipend will be given out in two separate installments. The first part of the stipend
consists of $1,000 and will be given out at the completion of the last session of the
Workshop. The remaining $200 will be mailed to you upon submission of your
completed lesson plan or activity.
about travel costs?
$1,200 stipend is intended to help cover the cost of travel to the Workshop.
will I be notified whether or not I have been selected?
will be notified of selection on April 1, 2011.
do I need to make a decision to participate?
have until April 5, 2011, to confirm your participation.
What are my responsibilities as a participant?
The National Constitution Center expects each attendee to be an active Summer
Scholar in all sessions Monday through Friday. Participants will also be required to
submit a lesson plan or activity developed with content gathered at the Workshop. The
final product will be submitted to the National Constitution Center within four weeks of
completion of the Workshop attended.
Can I pick which Workshop week I prefer to attend?
Yes, you need to indicate on your application which week you prefer to attend.
Application information can be found by clicking here.
Where will I be staying? Are rooms shared or private?
Private hotel rooms have been reserved at a local hotel. Many participants choose to
share hotel rooms. Information on contacting other participants will be provided in your
acceptance package.
Do I get graduate, in-service, or new teacher credit for participation?
Pennsylvania educators are eligible for Act 48 credits. Educators from other states will
receive a formal letter stating the total number of professional development hours. The
National Constitution Center’s Education staff is happy to assist you with your state’s
professional development system to gain recognition of work completed.
Where do the sessions take place? If I choose to drive, will parking be available?
All Workshop sessions will take place at the National Constitution Center, located on
Independence Mall in Historic Philadelphia. For those participants who live locally and
are traveling to the Center, it is recommended that you take mass transit. Daily parking
is available at the National Constitution Center’s parking garage during the Center’s
operating hours at a discounted rate of $9/day. Further information on directions and
parking can be found here for the National Constitution Center.
What time should I arrive/depart? May I leave early?
You should plan on arriving on the Sunday prior to the start of your session. Please
note, the last session of the Workshop ends at 5 pm on Friday; you should book
departure travel after 5 pm. To receive the full stipend you must stay until the
completion of the Workshop.
What should I wear?
Summers in Philadelphia are very warm and you are encouraged to dress accordingly,
please keep in mind that both museums are air conditioned and at times can be quite
cool. It is also important to note that many days of the Workshop involve moving and
walking to historic sites, so please wear comfortable shoes.
Will I have access to the Internet?
The National Constitution Center does have a number of public access computers for
your use during the Workshop, and free wireless access will be available to you
throughout the building and classroom. Internet access is also available in the
designated hotel.
Will I get to see Philadelphia?
During the Workshop you will have the opportunity to visit a number of sites in the area.
You will have time in the evenings and the Sunday before the Workshop to explore.
Could you accommodate my family?
No, accommodations in workshop sessions are for Workshop participants only. You
may bring your family to Philadelphia, BUT we do ask that they not attend sessions
designated for Workshop participants. They are welcome to attend evening sessions
and extra activities that may be planned.
Any views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this program do not necessarily reflect those of the National Endowment for the Humanities.