Teachers Professional Development Workshops
Join your colleagues and curriculum experts to learn new tips and techniques to enhance your professional skills and improve classroom learning. Our workshops are affordable and conveniently scheduled on Thursday evenings or Saturday during the day.
The New Jersey State Museum is a registered Professional Development Provider for the New Jersey Department of Education Professional Standards Board (#2241); Teachers' Professional Development Courses fulfill the requirements for continued certification on a credit/hour basis. Certificates will also be provided to teachers from Pennsylvania & Delaware.
Workshops are $5 per person and advance registration is required. Space is limited, so please register early. For registration and more information, call (609) 292-1382.
Using Archaeology to Teach Native American Pre-History
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
4:00 to 6:00 pm
Teachers will work with Gregory D. Lattanzi, Assistant Curator of Archaeology and Ethnography, in the archaeological investigation of Native American primary source material. This class focuses on New Jersey and the Middle Atlantic region and is designed for social studies teachers in grades 3-12. Teachers will experience the process of archaeology and receive training in regional history through analysis of material objects in the Museum. Current research information and resources will address the advantages of object-based learning, using a museum as an educational resource. Participants will update their understanding of Native American history and foster working relationships with Museum scientists and researchers.
Fan Books: Creating Personal Visual Histories
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
4:00 to 6:30 pm
Teachers will tour the Museum’s long-term exhibition, American Perspectives: The Fine Art Collection, with Curator of Fine Art Margaret O’Reilly. This exhibition takes viewers through 19th and 20th century American history and art, and explores the impact of national and world events on artists and their works. In this exhibition, art becomes a visual narrative exploring the changes in a nation, but it also introduces the concept of art as a way of exploring personal histories. Following the tour, art educator Susan Kiley Colavita will present a hands-on demonstration on making fan books. These books can include visual images and writing to allow students to document their personal histories. This book project can be used across the curriculum by art, social studies and language arts teachers in their own classrooms or collaboratively. Recommended for teachers of grades 2-12.
Teaching 9/11
Thursday, May 2, 2013
4:00 to 6:00 pm
Join the Museum’s Executive Director, Anthony Gardner, and Curator of Education, Beth Cooper, to review the New Jersey State Museum’s 9.11 Collaborative Learning Program, designed to bring the Museum’s 9/11 content into classrooms statewide. Teachers will receive the curriculum guide and DVD.
Science - It’s All Connected
Thursday, May 16, 2013
4:00 to 6:00 pm
Help your students understand the connections between all branches of science. Jason Schein, Assistant Curator for Natural History, will take you through the Natural History Highlights exhibit to see a variety of the best specimens from Natural History’s collection areas. The exhibition also explores many of the sciences within Natural History, and discusses how interrelated every science is – every field of study is a combination of many other sciences. Participants will tour the exhibit, explore its concepts and discuss how to incorporate the lessons into the classroom to increase their students’ interest in and comprehension of the sciences. Bonus – get a sneak peek into the plans for our new Natural History Hall!
