Free museum visits for Philadelphia 4th-graders and their teachers!
Fourth-grade classes in Philadelphia public schools are invited to participate in Art Speaks, a free program allowing classes to visit one of four local art institutions. Art Speaks is aligned with the School District’s core curriculum in literacy and visual arts. The program includes a free museum lesson, free transportation, free materials and admission to one museum. To participate, teachers should contact one of the following institutions to make reservations as soon as possible:
215-684-7333
610-667-0290
215-746-3704
215-972-2069
If you have questions about the program, please contact Harriet Hurwitz, Project Coordinator, Empowerment School Initiative, Division of Education
National Liberty Museum Debuts “Heroes Of Character Exhibit”
Contemporary Artists create original posters - available free to first 5,000 teachers to "like" the exhibit on Facebook
In conjunction with its Heroes of Character exhibition, website and education program, the National Liberty Museum released original images created by five cutting-edge artists, inspired by people featured in the exhibition, as part of a poster campaign developed by Philadelphia-based agency, Quaker City Mercantile. Exclusive 18x24 posters of this original artwork, by renowned artists Dave Kinsey, Jim Houser, Jeremy Tinder, Thom Lessner and Allison Cole, have been released for sale on the National Liberty Museum and Heroes of Character websites. Posters of these images will be mailed at no charge to the first 1,000 people and 5,000 teachers, respectively, to “like” the exhibit on Facebook and complete the request form on the page. Heroes of Character, supported by a grant from the John Templeton Foundation, inspires action and initiates dialogue about heroism and character in today’s society. The exhibition speaks to young people using interactive technology, asking the question, “What do you stand for?” The exhibition opened in December 2009 to mark the 10th anniversary of the National Liberty Museum, America’s Home for Heroes featuring the inspirational stories of more than 2,000 people.
Community Health Fair in West Philly, July 17
Institute for Advance Instruction invites teachers, students and families to a Health & Wellness Fair on Saturday, July 17, 10 am-3 p.m., West Philadelphia Senior Community Center, 1016 N. 41st Street and 41st and Poplar near Girard Avenue. IAI
up to this point has mainly worked with individual students tutoring in reading
and math. Within the context of our tutoring services, we continue to
promote Healthy Choices-Go Green Program because a healthy body supports a
healthy mind. We have worked consistently with individuals who have opted
“to take charge of their bodies” for the greater good. For information, call 215-760-1857, 215-856-4216 or email ifai08@yahoo.com.
2010 Census: Everybody Counts! Free classroom materials available
Did you know that more than $450 billion in federal money is distributed based on the US Census? Our schools, hospitals, job training centers, senior centers, bridges, tunnels and other public-works projects and emergency services depend on adequate federal funding.
An accurate count of Philadelphians ensures that the City gets all of the funds it needs to fuel to support its vibrant economy.PFT members can help.
Philly Counts! is a citywide campaign to raise awareness about the 2010 federal Census and encourage all Philadelphia residents to be counted. As part of the effort, the U.S. Census Bureau has developed K-12 lesson plans to help explain why the U.S. Census matters.
Teachers can download lessons, giveaways and materials from the Census in the Schools website. Census in the Schools includes lesson plans, fun facts, activities including history, graphing, collecting and understanding data.
Curriculum-based Tours of Historic Philadelphia from Philadelphia Trolley Works
The Philadelphia Trolley Works just launched curriculum-based tours of historic Philadelphia! The tours include a Lesson Plan for teachers, Student Activities workbook, and Assessment quizz and are available in three levels: high school, middle school, and elementary school. The designed approach, which is both teacher and student friendly, will add significantly to the total learning experience. As the current economic situation limits your choices for long-distance student travel, consider the educational bounty that exists right here in your own backyard. Your students will love discovering Philadelphia on top of a double-decker bus or on a Victorian-Style Trolley, and this can be done at a much more affordable rate than trips to other regional cities. Students will benefit immensely by being exposed to Philadelphia's rich mix of history, art, culture, and architecture. For additional information, please call 215.389.8687 or charters@phillytour.co
Step Up to College: Philadelphia’s Guide to the College Process
Philadelphia Futures has released the 20th edition of Step Up to College: Philadelphia’s Guide to the College Preparation, Application, Admission and Financial Aid Processes. The publication helps Philadelphia students and their families understand the importance of college; select the college that is right for them; navigate the daunting college application and financial aid processes; and successfully make the transition to college life. Philadelphia Futures distributes over 50,000 copies of the guide, free of charge, to public, parochial, and charter school students in Philadelphia. For more information or to request copies of the Guide, email Leslie Ryan at leslieryan@phialadelphiafutures.org or call her at 215-790-1666 ext. 22.
Big Deal Book of Technology
If you're looking for ways to maximize learning using technolgy, check out the Big Deal Book of Technology for grants, awards, competitions and free or inexpensive resources for your classroom. Visit the Big Deal Book's website to sign up for the newsletter or order a book.
Health curriculum: The Susan P. Byrnes Health Education Center’s LearntobeHealthy.org offers a new, free curriculum geared toward students in grades 10 through 12. Topics covered in the curriculum include: stress management, bullying and cyber-bullying, maintaining healthy relationships, staying safe online and making healthy decisions. CONTACT: www.learntobehealthy.org.
Beveridge Family Teaching Prize: The American Historical Association Beveridge Family Teaching Prize recognizes excellence and innovation in elementary, middle school and secondary history teaching, including career contributions and specific initiatives. Maximum award: $1,500. Eligibility: K-12 teachers in groups. DEADLINE: March 15. CONTACT: www.historians.org/teaching/Beveridge.htm.
Helping Students Navigate the Path to College
Access to higher education remains a challenge for many students who face academic and informational barriers to college entry. This guide by the National Center for Education Evaluation and Regional Assistance at the Institute for Education Sciences, targets high schools and school districts, and focuses on effective practices that prepare students academically for college, assist them in completing the steps to college entry, and improve their likelihood of enrolling in college. The guide is a government publication, available by clicking here.
Alex’s Lemonade Stand Service Learning
Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation has a new service-learning program, whose name was derived from the same principle that Alex Scott, a Wynnewood girl who died of cancer, followed: “When life hands you lemons, make lemonade.” Named “Lemonade from Lemons,” this program aims to teach Alex’s inspiring message of making a difference, helping others and overcoming obstacles to school-aged children (K-5) through a children’s book and service-learning lesson plans. The materials and the book are available at http://www.alexslemonade.org/school-programs/lemonade-from-lemons. Contact Shirley Moy, resource coordinator, with questions at Shirley@AlexsLemonade.org or 610-649-3034.
PFT Retirement Chapter
Travel, Educational & Cultural Committee
“Travel with us and experience the unexpected”
The PFT Travel, Education and Cultural Committee organizes exciting day trips and vacation packages for retirees, their friends and spouses. One-day trips this year include the Longwood Gardens Christmas Show, outings to Broadway and Philadelphia theater productions and trips in the United States and abroad. On the domestic schedule is a visit to Asheville, North Carolina, and the fabulous Biltmore Estate, the largest residence in the country. The TEC Committee also plans to spend spring in London and Paris, autumn on a Panama Canal cruise and a summer journey to Germany to see the once-in-a-decade Passion Play in Oberammergau. For a complete schedule, reservation forms and information , click here.
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