Free Online Course on 9/11 and Its Aftermath

If you've been telling yourself you've got to get a perspective on 9/11, if you've been promising yourself that you're going to try one of those new MOOC courses--here's your chance.  Duke University's David Schanzer is teaching a seven-week online course on "9/11 and Its Aftermath" through Coursera. 

Read about the course and view the introductory video here, and don't delay.  The course begins on Sept. 9, and registration is going on right now. 

Teacher Workshop: Intro to Islamic Art and Culture

See below and register now.  Should be a great program! 

Teacher Workshop: Introduction to Islamic Art and Culture       When: Wednesday, August 14 8:30 - 4:30pm    Where: Nasher Museum of Art, Duke University   Join K-12 educators to learn how you can bring Islamic art and culture into your classroom!    The program will include slide lectures, hands-on art activities, creative writing and performances by local musicians and dancers.    For more information, and to register by July 16,  ($20, includes lunch and printed resources), please click here.

Better Together: Meeting International Education Goals in Partnership

I recently wrote about the great partnership the UNC-Chapel Hill National Resource Centers (NRCs) share with World View, a program to support international education in North Carolina K-12 schools and community colleges.  It's a powerful and exciting collaboration that brings the world to teachers in classrooms all over the state through professional development, curriculum grants, and online resources.

You can read the article here.  Thanks to Katie Bowler and the UNC Global team for featuring it on their site!

Video of Think Fast Forum: The Boston Marathon Bombing

A couple of weeks ago, I mentioned that UNC faculty would be joining in a Think Fast Forum on the Boston Marathon Bombing.  The purpose--to delve into our unanswered questions about home-grown terrorism, religious extremism, the pressures of the 24-hour news cycle, the legal system, and political struggles as far away as Chechnya.  

The video of that panel discussion is now up and available here.  It's a great record of a deep conversation about issues that continue to challenge our society.  Don't miss UNC religious studies professor Omid Safi's powerful  conclusion. 

 

 

 

Help NatGeo and Get Free Books and a Map

NatGeoEd and NatGeoKids are looking for some special teachers.  They want your help in aligning their great NG Kids books to Common Core ELA Standards. 

Find out more here. If you're chosen, you'll take part in a webinar, review a book, align it to Common Core and Geography standards, and offer some teaching ideas.  In return you'll get the book you reviewed and a map for your classroom. 

Think about it, and let National Geographic know they can count on you by May 31. 

Boston Marathon Bombing: Think Fast Forum at UNC

One of many of the great things about UNC-Chapel Hill is the university's commitment to sharing campus resources with the wider community.  I'm privileged to take part in that mission as an Outreach Director.

Sometimes we share resources in a box, or in the form of online materials.  But sometimes nothing less than our faculty will do.  On Monday, May 6, at 6:30 pm, UNC-Chapel Hill will share its faculty with the wider community, in a panel discussion of the Boston Marathon Bombing and its aftermath.

UNC's General Alumni Association offers such faculty discussions as events demand, with the intention of providing the public expert analysis on an important development just as soon as possible.  "Timely discussions by UNC faculty on breaking events" is the description and it's called a "Think Fast Forum" for that reason.

You see the challenge immediately. What academic experts would be willing to step out publicly on speak on events that are still unfolding? 

UNC faculty are willing and able to do so.  Here's the panel:

Peter Coclanis, moderator, professor of history; director of the Global Research Institute
Tamar Birckhead, associate professor of law, School of Law
Jim Hefner, professor of the practice, School of Journalism and Mass Communication
Louise McReynolds, professor of history
Omid Safi, professor of religious studies
David Schanzer, associate professor of the practice for public policy; director, Triangle Center on Terrorism and Homeland Security.

You can learn more about each panelist here.  If you're in the Triangle region Monday, please come and hear them grapple with the questions we've all been asking one another about the terrible events in Boston--that week that began with bombs and ended with a manhunt--and how justice may be served and community preserved in its aftermath. 

Hope to see you there.

Grant to Teach Turkey--and a bonus

Once again the American Turkish Society is offering up to $2,500 for enriching your K-12 classroom and school with the study of Turkey.  Last year a North Carolina teacher colleague won a grant.  It could be you this year!

The announcement is here, and the deadline is May 21. Preference is given to schools without existing Turkish programs. 

This year, the American Turkish Society is offering something new and pretty exciting.  Here are the details:

"Starting this year, grantee teachers will also be invited to visit SEV Schools in Turkey where they will be able to dialogue with teachers concerning their work on curriculum development. Workshops will be arranged to facilitate this dialogue. Travel, housing and program expenses within Turkey will be met through funding from SEV (Sağlık ve Eğitim Vakfı)-the Health and Education Foundation."

Note that travel within Turkey is covered by funding.  You'd be responsible for your airfare to Turkey and back home.  But traveling teachers have found that their district or school and community service organizations are willing to join in support and funding if the experience is worthwhile. 

Read about it, think it over, and consider applying. And let me know if you'll be off to Turkey!