Mrach+newsletter

IN THIS NEWSLETTER: ** > > May 1 is Law Day: > On May 1 Americans will observe Law Day, a celebration of the rule of law and a reminder of how our laws and our justice system contribute to the freedoms we all share. Because Wisconsin attorneys recognize the importance of helping young people understand and embrace this heritage, many are willing to volunteer their time to discuss the rule of law in K-12 classrooms on Law Day. Members of the State Bar's [|Young Lawyers Divison], in particular, have led this effort in Wisconsin and are eager to share their insights into our legal heritage with your students. This year's theme is "A Legacy of Liberty: Celebrating Lincoln's Bicentennial," which offers a great opportunity to explore some of the most fundamental values of a nation "conceived in liberty and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.” You can learn more about Law Day and review sample lesson plans for all grade levels by visiting the [|American Bar Association website]. > If you would like to host an attorney in your classroom on (or about) May 1 to lead a lively discussion about Lincoln and his legacy, please contact Tom Solberg, the Bar's Public Relations Coordinator, at tsolberg@wisbar.org  or by calling (608) 250-6025, no later than Wednesday, April 15. > > **Our Courts Website:** > Our Courts' full website is now live with free resources for teachers and students. [|**Ourcourts.org**] features a Curriculum Builder tool for teachers; relevant lesson plans by topic; a message board for students to exchange ideas with Justice O'Connor; and a section showcasing student projects. Check out the site! > > > **Economics Wisconsin Spring Newsletter: ** > > > **Summer Institute on Civic Studies:** > > This summer, at the Jonathan M. Tisch College of Citizenship and  > Public Service at Tufts University, we will offer a two-week intensive Summer Institute of Civic Studies; see [] The Institute is aimed mainly at PhD students from all disciplines and universities. Those who planned it (a diverse group of scholars from around the country) share certain philosophical commitments, which are summarized in this framing statement: [] . But we will be open to all perspectives and will try to select diverse readings  > > **Journeys of Non-violence workshop:** > Ahimsa Center at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona invites applications from K-12 educators for a fellowship to participate in an interdisciplinary residential institute on Journeys of Nonviolence: Gandhi and King, the pioneers of nonviolent action for social transformation. The two-week program will be held on campus in Pomona, July 12-25, 2009. > > For details about the program focus and format, residential fellowship and benefits, fully paid 8 units of course credits, program requirements, selection criteria and application procedures, please visit: > <[| http://www.csupomona.edu/~ahimsacenter/specialevents/summer_institute_2009.shtml] > > > > ** Whitehouse Internship Program: ** > **Office of Media Affairs** > **President Obama Launches White House Internship Program** > > President Obama today launched the White House Internship Program for his administration and announced that applications are currently being accepted for the summer of 2009. Those selected to participate in the program will gain valuable job experience and an inside look at the life of White House staff while building leadership skills. > The 2009 Summer Internship program runs from May 22 to August 14, and the submission deadline is March 22, 2009. > Those interested in applying to the White House Internship Program must be: > . US Citizens > . Eighteen years of age on or before the first day of the internship. > > > Enrolled in a college or university (2-4 year institution) or must have graduated from college in the past two years. . > **More information on the White House Internship Program, including application instructions, can be found at:** [|**www.whitehouse.gov/about/internships**] > > ** Things Fall Apart Conference: ** > **The Center for the Humanities at the University of Wisconsin-Madison invites interested schools and teachers from across Wisconsin to join us in our year-long partnership program "Things Fall Apart in Wisconsin." Interdisciplinary teams of teachers (all subjects are invited to apply) will be selected to participate in the fifth of our series of successful state-wide projects. The project aims to bring Achebe’s classic novel into high school classrooms throughout Wisconsin. Each team will receive a $1,000 financial award, teaching support and materials, access to university resources, and opportunities to participate in two teacher colloquia, and a student conference. More information on the program and examples of student projects are available at** [|**www.humanities.wisc.edu**]**.** > > > ** Summer Leadership Institute for Educators > //Application deadline April 17, 2009 //** > Choices Summer Institutes are designed to stimulate and support secondary-level educators who are interested in teaching international issues and are prepared to take on leadership roles within their schools and communities. The 2009 Summer Institute, //Living in a Nuclear Age: Facing Challenges//, will give participating teachers an opportunity to explore the challenges posed by nuclear weapons and introduce them to effective instructional strategies for engaging adolescents in the topic. Major themes will include the status of the non-proliferation regime, nuclear terrorism, policies toward states at risk, and U.S. nuclear policy and its global implications.
 * <span style="font-weight: normal; color: #1f497d; font-family: Symbol; mso-list: Ignore; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msothemecolor: text2; msobidifontweight: bold; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· ****<span style="font-weight: normal; color: #1f497d; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">May 1 is Law Day **
 * <span style="font-weight: normal; color: #1f497d; font-family: Symbol; mso-list: Ignore; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msothemecolor: text2; msobidifontweight: bold; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· ****<span style="font-weight: normal; color: #1f497d; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Our Courts Website **
 * <span style="font-weight: normal; color: #1f497d; font-family: Symbol; mso-list: Ignore; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msothemecolor: text2; msobidifontweight: bold; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· ****<span style="font-weight: normal; color: #1f497d; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Economics Wisconsin Spring Newsletter **
 * <span style="font-weight: normal; color: #1f497d; font-family: Symbol; mso-list: Ignore; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msothemecolor: text2; msobidifontweight: bold; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· ****<span style="font-weight: normal; color: #1f497d; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Summer Institute on Civic Studies **
 * <span style="font-weight: normal; color: #1f497d; font-family: Symbol; mso-list: Ignore; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msothemecolor: text2; msobidifontweight: bold; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· ****<span style="font-weight: normal; color: #1f497d; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Journeys of Non-violence workshop **
 * <span style="font-weight: normal; color: #1f497d; font-family: Symbol; mso-list: Ignore; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msothemecolor: text2; msobidifontweight: bold; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· ****<span style="font-weight: normal; color: #1f497d; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Whitehouse Internship Program **
 * <span style="font-weight: normal; color: #1f497d; font-family: Symbol; mso-list: Ignore; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msothemecolor: text2; msobidifontweight: bold; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· ****<span style="font-weight: normal; color: #1f497d; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Things Fall Apart Conference: **
 * <span style="font-weight: normal; color: #1f497d; font-family: Symbol; mso-list: Ignore; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msothemecolor: text2; msobidifontweight: bold; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· ****<span style="font-weight: normal; color: #1f497d; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Summer Leadership Institute for Educators **<span style="font-weight: normal; color: #1f497d; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">
 * <span style="font-weight: normal; color: #1f497d; font-family: Symbol; mso-list: Ignore; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msothemecolor: text2; msobidifontweight: bold; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· ****<span style="font-weight: normal; color: #1f497d; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Student Video Contest **<span style="font-weight: normal; color: #1f497d; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">
 * <span style="font-weight: normal; color: #1f497d; font-family: Symbol; mso-list: Ignore; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msothemecolor: text2; msobidifontweight: bold; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· ****<span style="font-weight: normal; color: #1f497d; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">The Fifth Annual Roger W. Smith Genocide & Human Rights Summer Institute **<span style="font-weight: normal; color: #1f497d; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">
 * <span style="font-weight: normal; color: #1f497d; font-family: Symbol; mso-list: Ignore; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msothemecolor: text2; msobidifontweight: bold; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· ****<span style="font-weight: normal; color: #1f497d; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Study tour to China for Educators **<span style="font-weight: normal; color: #1f497d; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">
 * <span style="font-weight: normal; color: #1f497d; font-family: Symbol; mso-list: Ignore; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msothemecolor: text2; msobidifontweight: bold; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· ****<span style="font-weight: normal; color: #1f497d; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Wisconsin Geographic Alliance Summer Field Workshop 2009 **<span style="font-weight: normal; color: #1f497d; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">
 * <span style="font-weight: normal; color: #1f497d; font-family: Symbol; mso-list: Ignore; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msothemecolor: text2; msobidifontweight: bold; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· ****<span style="font-weight: normal; color: #1f497d; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">WIGA 2009 Geo-Technology Workshop **<span style="font-weight: normal; color: #1f497d; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">
 * <span style="font-weight: normal; color: #1f497d; font-family: Symbol; mso-list: Ignore; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msothemecolor: text2; msobidifontweight: bold; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· <span style="font-weight: normal; color: #1f497d; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Junior Achievement white paper on Understanding the Stock Market <span style="font-weight: normal; color: #1f497d; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"> **
 * Global Exploration for Educators Organization
 * Summer opprotunity - Teach Vietnam
 * Iowa geo tech workshop

How to Apply
[|**Download the application.**] //Be sure you open the file with Adobe Reader. The file will not open in preview on a Mac. [|Download the latest version of Adobe Reader]// The application packet includes 2 PDF files: Return both completed forms to the Choices Program. Applications are due on April 17, 2009.
 * the application
 * a supervisor evaluation form

You may E-mail your application to: Choices@brown.edu


 * Student Video Contest: **

<span style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">This is just a reminder that //the.News// deadline for the student video contest //YOU.report// is at the end of the month – 3/31/09 <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> Please go to [|www.pbs.org/newshour/thenews/youreport/] for details.

** The Fifth Annual **<span style="font-size: 13.5pt; font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif';"> <span style="font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif';">Roger W. Smith Genocide & Human Rights Summer Institute June 14-26, 2009 Northern Illinois University and American University <span style="font-size: 13.5pt; color: #ff0000; font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif';"> <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif';">

Genocide and human rights are among the most pressing issues in our global society, and yet, they are among the least often examined topics in academic history courses and professional development training. For the fifth year in a row we are offering teachers (K-20) the opportunity to spend two weeks learning about genocide and human rights, develop teaching methods, produce lesson plans for the classroom, and learn how to apply service-learning and activism as teaching tools. Participants will meet with more than 10 scholars in the field of study, seven different NGO organizations, survivors, diplomats, and government officials. <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif';">Participation is limited and //**<span style="font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif';">the application deadline is March 20, 2009 **//.

** Study tour to China for Educators: ** If you would like to learn more about offering this international professional development opportunity to educators in your community or you would like to enroll on our Educators in China tour for August 2009, check out the attached PDF for details, and contact Amie Larson directly by phone at 617-619-1176 or by email at amie.larson@ef.com with any questions. In response to the growing demand for global literacy in 21st-century education, EF now offers a rich, international professional development experience that educators can share with their colleagues. Through our Professional Development Study Tours, EF invites educators to gain firsthand experience with the world’s great cultures, while rediscovering their academic subjects and pedagogical practices from an international perspective.


 * Wisconsin Geographic Alliance Summer Field Workshop 2009 **

Exploring Western Wisconsin’s Geography and History - July 13 - 17, 2009 A traveling course with overnight stays in Prairie du Chien and La Crosse

Come join us on the road for five days this summer as we travel the western shore of Wisconsin, discovering important aspects of its geography and history. Our motor coach journey will take us along the Mississippi River Wisconsin from Cassville in the southwest to Alma in west central Wisconsin. We’ll gain first-hand knowledge of both historical and present-day themes and issues in this beautiful portion of the Badger State. Application Deadline: May 29, 2009 Enrollment Limit: 20

June 22-26,2009 Attend WIGA's Geo-Technology workshop, JUNE 22-26, 2009. In 2007, WIGA offered two one-day workshops (May and September) to introduce teachers to GPS and Geo-Caching. Great fun! WIGA's Steering Committee decided to hold a five-day Geo-Technology workshop in summer 2008. Even more fun! We'll repeat that introductory workshop in 2009, with the intent of offering an advanced workshop in Summer 2010 for graduates of the two intro workshops. The June 2009 week will include a great array of geo-technology strategies - GPS, geo-caching, earth-caching, online GIS, EarthKAM, effective Internet strategies, Thinkfinity use, and more. Come join us and tech-up" your classroom, with teachers from across the state. Plan on spending June 22-26 at St. Norbert College--earn two St. Norbert grad credits, learn some great geo-tech strategies--useful at all levels. Your cost will total $300--a $50 check with registration and $250 when you arrive at SNC. Plan to arrive by noon Monday the 22nd for lunch and afternoon sessions, and be on your way home by noon on Friday the 26th. NOTE: Priority will be given to Wisconsin educators. **
 * WIGA 2009 Geo-Technology Workshop

Geography Lesson Plans: Go to the WIGA site to find grade level lesson plans for geography: []

<span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif';">** Junior Achievement white paper on Understanding the Stock Market ** In a continuing effort to provide resources to teach your students about finance and economics, JA Worldwide (Junior Achievement) is developing a series of "White Papers" for use by our classroom volunteers and educators. The second in the series is entitled, "Understanding Stock Market Fluctuations: The Turmoil at the Heart of the Capitalist System" <[]>. This paper is posted to our website and can be downloaded free of charge for your use by clicking on the link above.

The first in the series, Understanding the Financial Crisis: Origin and Impact is still available to you at this link: []. A student version of this paper is available through the Student Center in the JA Today section. Go to [|www.ja.org] <[]> and click on "Student Center". [|http://studentcenter.ja.org] <[]>. <span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> **Global Exploration for Educators Organization** Global Exploration for Educators Organization (GEEO) is a 501c3 non-profit organization that helps and encourages educators to travel abroad. In the summer of 2009 GEEO will run trips to Tunisia, Peru, Ecuador, Thailand, and India. GEEO hopes to make America more outward-looking by helping teachers travel and then giving them an effective way to share these experiences in their classrooms.

Educators can earn graduate school credit and professional development credit while seeing the world. The trips are designed for teachers and include activities such as school visits and homestays that give participants authentic exposure to local culture. The trips are deeply discounted so as to be affordable to teachers. GEEO also helps teachers find funding to subsidize the cost of the trips.

Detailed information about each trip, including itineraries, costs, travel dates, and more can be found at [|www.geeo.org]. GEEO can also be reached 7 days a week, toll free at 1-877-600-0105 between 9AM-10PM EST. To sign-up for GEEO's listserv, please send an email to listserv@geeo.org with the subject line "subscribe." **Teach Vietnam** The Memorial Fund is currently recruiting for its newest class of the Teach Vietnam Teachers Network. Applicants who are accepted into the Class of 2009 will be invited to participate in the national conference taking place from July 15-19 at American University in Washington, D.C. We're asking you, as an existing member of the Network, to encourage teachers within your school district to consider applying for this year's class. Interested educators can download the application from the web site ([|www.vvmf.org]) under the Teach Vietnam section. All application materials are due no later than Friday, March 27. A letter of recommendation from an existing member of the Network may be used in place of one from the school principal/department chair.

Iowa Geo tech workshop: Iowa GIS-GPS Institute for Educators of Youth in Grades 6 – 12 -Ottumwa Participants in this unique Institute will acquire and enhance the knowledge, skills, and resources necessary for using GPS navigation and GIS mapping with students in their 6 – 12 grade classrooms or other youth-based programming. They will take away a free GPS unit, lessons and activities, and access to free software, equipment, and other resources for group application in applying these technologies in their classrooms or youth programs.

Participants will learn and expand their skills through a variety of hands-on lessons and practice sessions; discuss best practices and successful approaches for using GPS/GIS activities in inquiry-based learning; and be given a foundation in spatial thinking, spatial analysis, and a variety of field and laboratory activities across several disciplines that help build the confidence and skills necessary to apply these technologies to their own programs, grade levels, and content/curriculum areas. Participants also will be connected to each other and the larger community so that they can continue their GIS journey after the workshop concludes. Sharing ideas and networking with other participants and GIS professionals will be emphasized. Learning outcomes will cover discipline content, technical skills, and teaching skills. TARGET AUDIENCE: Teachers and other educators who work with youth in grades 6 – 12 are invited to participate. This may include adult leaders for youth programs such as 4-H or scouting, or teachers in any discipline – including, but not limited to science, social studies and agriculture – wanting to integrate hands-on, inquiry-based geospatial learning in their curriculum.