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Region 1 News

PictureAndrew Levin
A Message from your Regional Representative:

Fellow teachers, welcome to the webpage for the Chicagoland Area (Region 1). This region is one of the most diverse in the state and is home to the most social studies teachers. As such, I look forward to collaborating and assisting in a wide variety of ways.
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As for some background, I have just begun my 7th year as an educator. I have taught courses including US History, US Government, Economics, Geography, World Cultures, Election Studies, Middle Eastern Politics, Comparative Politics, and Non-Western Comparative Politics. I currently teach at Harper College and Grayslake North High School.

My main interests in the realm of education are technology and diversity & inclusion in the classroom (and online). There are so many great digital resources available that it is easier than ever to differentiate instruction and assessments. In terms of diversity, you may have seen my presentations at conferences on my classroom inquiry-based projects or "museums". These provide each student a voice and a choice.
 
Along with thousands of other social studies educators and professionals, I went to the 2018 National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS) Annual Conference in Chicago. Like ICSS Conferences, NCSS brought together experts in the social studies and history to lead sessions for educators. The big difference is the size and, as a result, the number of options.

To learn more about some of the great speakers that I personally got to observe, click this link to head to my professional page:  
https://internationalchicago.com/2018/12/28/ncss-annual-conference/
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Please don’t hesitate to reach out with questions or comments on how this organization can be helpful. I encourage you to stay in touch with me and allow me be to a resource for you: visit my website, www.internationalchicago.com, follow me on twitter @ProfessorLevin, or email me atalevin@harpercollege.edu .
 
Sincerely,
 
Andrew Levin, MAT, MS​

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Youthquake 

Attention Teachers and Retired Teachers:

Youthquake is a new online community engagement program for students interested in politics and political polarization. Small groups of middle school and high school students identify and research an issue of interest in their community, develop a policy plan through negotiation, and present the policy plan to stakeholders. The program is currently transitioning from an in-person week-long summer program experience into a virtual program that students can access on their own and at their own pace. A pilot cohort of students is planned to begin the online program in December 2020 / January 2021. 

I am looking for teachers who may be interested in helping students with their projects, providing advice on curriculum content and structure, and anything in between. If you have any questions or may be interested in helping, please contact Rachna Shah at rachna.r.shah.21@dartmouth.edu. 
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Future e-Newsletter Planned: What Are Your Social Studies Interests?

I want to know what you are interested in from a future e-newsletter for Region 1 members. What subject areas and teaching questions do you want addressed? Plus, how frequently would you like to receive it? 

Please fill out this brief survey to help me shape the newsletter into a beneficial tool for you: 

ICSS Region 1 E-Newsletter Survey


Upcoming National and State Events

2021 Transatlantic Educators Dialogue

Are you interested in talking to other teachers about educational issues beyond classroom management? Do you get excited about topics such as immigration, youth culture, notions of the "other" in national identity formation, and education in rural vs. urban contexts? Are you curious about the differences in education between European countries and the U.S.A.? If so, the European Union Center at the University of Illinois invites you to apply to our 2021 Transatlantic Educators Dialogue program. The program will accept around 50 participants from Europe and the U.S., and it will meet 90 minutes on 12 Sundays between Feb. 7 and May 2, 2021. There is no cost to participate, but there is an application: https://forms.illinois.edu/sec/2144012835. The deadline to apply is January 8, 2021.

The 2021 program will cover the following topics, and for the first time there will also be intersessions to delve deeper into topics of particular interest to participants:
  • Teacher Education: Policies and Norms
  • Technology in the Classroom and the Future of Education
  • Creative Pedagogies and Instructional Practices
  • Migration/Immigration & Cultural Awareness
  • Student and Parental Involvement in Education
  • Building Safe Spaces: Inclusion & Approaches to Violence/Bullying
  • Youth Culture and Student Life
  • Supporting Diverse Learning Needs​

Learn more at http://europe.illinois.edu/ted. 
Sydney Lazarus
Outreach & FLAS Coordinator, European Union Center 
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Tel. +1 217.244.5648

ted_2021.pdf
File Size: 224 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Upcoming Regional Events
Join Professor Levin's upcoming online course on Non-Western Comparative Politics at Harper College (PSC-280). It examines the political systems of selected non-Western countries, including common governmental problems, causes of political instability and revolution and techniques of political analysis. Plus, it is transferable to almost any Illinois college. It also meets ISBE political science licensing requirements. Let me know if you have any questions: alevin@harpercollege.edu
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New eBook
An Upstream Battle: John Parker's Personal War on Slavery


An Upstream Battle: John Parker's Personal War on Slavery, brings to life the exciting true story of John Parker, an African American businessman who helped hundreds of runaway slaves cross the Ohio River to freedom. Well known in southern Ohio during his lifetime, Parker's contribution to American history was all but lost for more than a hundred years. Now this inspiring story, based on Parker's autobiography, is available in a form suitable for young readers. 
 
Free curriculum is available to assist teachers in using the book in their classroom. This curriculum is based on the Common Core Standards and was created by an experienced middle school teacher.

Promotional offers related to An Upstream Battle include:
  • There will be a free giveaway of "An Upstream Battle" on November 18 to 22. 
  • Amazon.com (or type An Upstream Battle: John Parker into Amazon’s search field)
    • Paperback version available at the discounted rate of $7.99
  • AnneStantonPublications.com
    • Free downloadable curriculum related to An Upstream Battle
    • Supplemental information about John Parker and links to related resources online

Questions or comments about this offer or to request information about additional promotional offers may be addressed to Anne Stanton at anneaugusta1@gmail.com.   



Regional Exhibits 
If you know of additional exhibits that should be added below, please contact me, Andrew Levin (alevin@harpercollege.edu) or the ICSS Webmaster David McMullen (mcmullen@fsmail.bradley.edu).
​

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Pritzker Military Museum and Library in Chicago 

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Their current exhibit is: Lest We Forget: Sailors, Sammies and Doughboys Over There in World War One.




The Pritzker Military Museum & Library is open to the public with new hours:
Monday - 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Tuesday - Thursday - 10 a.m. - 6 p.m
Friday and Saturday - 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Sunday - 12 - 4 p.m.
Admission to the Museum & Library is $5. Admission is free for members and all visitors with active military ID, Chicago police and fire departments and children under 18. Tours are offered daily at 11 a.m.

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First Division Museum at Catigny Park in Wheaton.

They have recently updated their museum with its new exhibit hall covering the First Division post Vietnam to present day. They also updated their collections on the main exhibit space (WW1 - Vietnam).


1s151 Winfield Road
Wheaton, IL 60189
Phone: 630.260.8185

Get Directions 

HOURS
​Closed Jan. 1 – Feb. 1
February (Fri-Sun)
10am – 4pm​

Admission to the First Division Museum is always free. There is a parking fee for the park.
Daily: $5.00
Weekends (May through September):  $10.00


Social Studies Links
Democracy Schools are High Schools “dedicated to expanding and improving civic learning experiences across the curriculum (McCormick Foundation)
 
“Getting to the Point: Documentary Film Excerpts to Use in Your Classroom” by Andrew Levin
 
Alliance for Good: Global service club for Illinois high schoolers
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Local Historical and Genealogical Societies & Museums:

​The Chicago History Museum
1601 North Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60614
www.chicagohistory.org
 
The Field Museum
1400 South Lakeshore Drive, Chicago, IL 60605
https://www.fieldmuseum.org/
 
DuSable Museum of African American History
740 East 56th Place, Chicago, IL 60637
http://www.dusablemuseum.org/
 
Pullman National Monument
11141 South Cottage Grove Avenue, Chicago, IL 60628
https://www.nps.gov/pull/index.htm
 
Mitchell Museum of the American Indian
3001 Central Street, Evanston, IL 60201
http://mitchellmuseum.org/
 
Illinois Holocaust Museum
9603 Woods Drive, Skokie, IL 60077
https://www.ilholocaustmuseum.org
 
Lake County Discovery Museum
(Museum is currently transitioning to a new building and will open again in late 2017)
http://www.lcfpd.org/museum/
 
McHenry County History Museum
www.mchenrycountyhistory.org/
6422 Main Street, Union, IL 60180
 
Volkening Heritage Farm
201 S. Plum Grove Road, Schaumburg
http://www.parkfun.com/spring-valley/heritage-farm
 

​The Obama Presidential Center
Site to be determined
 
Elgin History Museum
360 Park Street, Elgin, IL 60120
http://elginhistory.org/
 
Naper Settlement Museum
523 South Webster Street, Naperville, IL 60540
http://www.napersettlement.org/
 
DuPage County History Museum
102 East Wesley Street, Wheaton, IL 60187
http://www.dupagemuseum.org/
 
Will County Historical Museum and Research Center
803 South State Street, Lockport, IL 60441
http://willcohistory.org/
 
Joliet Area Historical Museum
204 Ottawa Street, Joliet, IL 60432
https://www.jolietmuseum.org/
 
Chicago Genealogical Society
http://www.chicagogenealogy.org
 
The Newberry: Genealogy and Local History Desk
60 West Walton Street, Chicago, IL 60610
https://www.ilholocaustmuseum.org
 
Gail Borden Public Library: Genealogy section
270 North Grove Avenue, Elgin, IL 60194
https://www.gailborden.info/research/genealogy
(c) 2017 Illinois Council for the Social Studies