Dr. Art Pitz has traveled many times to Israel and the Palestinian territories having spent a month in 2010 where he was briefed by the Israeli Foreign Ministry, traveled to southern Israel near Gaza, and visited the West Bank and a Palestinian refugee camp.  He has first-hand experience of both the Arab and Israeli perspectives in the Middle East.  This series will provide educators the basic knowledge needed to address a fundamental understanding of this critical conflict that impacts global repercussions today.  April sessions will be held at the Davenport Eastern Branch Library and Bettendorf Library as follows:

• April 9th Topic Part I Palestinian and Jewish Arab Refugees: What are the Real Facts location:  Davenport Library.
• April 16th Part II Jerusalem: United or Divided? Location Bettendorf Library.
• April 23rd Part III Christians in Israel and the Arab World: Do they have a Future?  Location Bettendorf Library.
• April 30th Part IV Prospects for Peace: Is there any Hope? Location Davenport Library.

May Sessions will be held at Moline or Rock Island Public Libraries as follows:

• May 8th Iran and Israel: An Existential Threat? Location Moline Library.
• May 15th Islam, Israel and the Jews: What does the Koren Say? Location Moline Library.
• May 22nd The Palestinian Unilateral Declaration of Statehood location Rock Island Library.
• May 29th Can Israeli Negotiate with any Palestinian Government? Location Rock Island Library.

If you attend all 8 sessions you will receive 16 CPDUs otherwise CPDUs will be based on 2 per session.  One grad credit is available through Aurora University only if you attend all 8 sessions for an additional $100.  Cost for this series is $15 whether you for one session or all 8.
Dates/Location:  April 9 & 30, 2012 at Davenport Library
April 16 & 23, 2012 at Bettendorf Library
May 8 & 15, 2012 at Moline Public Library
May 22 & 29, 2012 at Rock Island Public Library
Time: 7:00 – 8:30 PM each day
Audience:  4th – 12th Grade Teachers
Presenter: Dr. Art Pitz
CPDUs: 2 per session
Cost: $15 for 1 – 8 sessions
Registration Deadline:  4/2/2012

The history and development of Western Illinois and the Illinois/Iowa Quad-Cities area will be explored. Emphasis will include the cultural influence of Native American and immigrant groups that settled the area and the influence of coal mining, lumbering and railroading throughout the Quad-Cites development.  Teachers will learn strategies and tools to prepare students for the history and cultural diversity of Western Illinois.  Teachers will also write unit and lesson plans for their classrooms.  They will also have opportunity to tour historical locations and cultural museums.  Two grad credits are available at an additional cost of $200.00 through Aurora University due the first day of class.  There is NO COST for Moline Dist. #40 teachers for this workshop however if they are taking it for grad credit they will have to pay the additional cost for grad credit themselves.  Registration fee is covered by the William Butterworth Memorial Trust for Moline Dist. #40 teachers only.
Date(s): June 11, 12 & 13, 2012
Time: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM each day
Location: Deere Wiman Carriage House
Presenter(s):  Nancy Frakes & Gary ZumMallen
Audience: K-8 Grade Teachers
Cost: $155
CPDUs: 25
Registration Deadline:   6/4/2012

Teachers will receive 4 CPDU credits through the Regional Office of Education for taking students to this exhibit. This is an exhibit sponsored by the Jewish Federation of the QC and the Putnam Museum.  The exhibit introduces young people to Anne Frank in her historical context and the Holocaust.  It focuses on lessons reflected in the life and writings of Anne Frank as a paradigm for the prevention of hate crimes and bias-related acts.  The exhibit will engage young people in a critical examination of indifference, prejudice, and racism, as well as to promote the dignity, democratic beliefs, and human rights that are critical in our diverse society today.  To schedule a time for your students to tour this exhibit please contact Alice Loff at 563/324-1054 ext. #266.
Dates:  March 31 – May 28, 2012
Time: please call 563/324-1054 to schedule a time to tour with your students
Location:   Putnam Museum
Cost:  $15 for CPDUs
Audience:  4th-12th grade teachers

For more information on the Putnam education site go to www.putnameducation.org

In this course teachers will learn to differentiate history lessons through the development of a variety of Activity packets, document based questions (DBQ’s) and the use of Primary Sources to address different learning styles and levels of students in their classrooms.  Teachers will learn how to prepare activity packets, DBQ’s and DBA’s that will encourage the differentiation of instructional and have opportunity to gain knowledge of the creation and use of lesson plans using both primary and secondary sources to create greater student interest and teach higher order thinking skills.  There is no cost for Moline District #40 teachers for this workshop thanks to William Butterworth Memorial Trust.  One grad credit is available at an additional cost of $100 through Aurora University and Moline Dist. #40 teachers must pay this cost on their own as well.
Date(s): June 14 & 15, 2012
Time: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM both days
Location: Deere Wiman Carriage House
Presenter(s):  Nancy Frakes & Gary ZumMallen
Audience: K-8 Grade Teachers
Cost: $125
CPDUs: 12
Registration Deadline:   6/7/2012

The importance and impact of the Mississippi River in the surrounding QC communities will be explored through the study of the River’s history, people, animals, commerce, and ecology.  Teachers will also learn how to prepare students with strategies and tools to become stewards of the Upper Mississippi River environment and will write unit and lesson plans for their classrooms.  Teachers will also have the opportunity to tour historical locations on the River.  This course may be taken for 3 grad credits through Aurora University at an additional cost of $300.
Date(s): July 9 – 12, 2012
Time: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM each day
Location: ROE Moline
Presenter(s):  Nancy Frakes & Gary ZumMallen
Audience: K-8 Grade Teachers
Cost: $175
CPDUs: 37
Registration Deadline:   7/2/2012

This course addresses the history and development of the Northern Illinois Prairie Lands (in and around Bureau, Henry and Stark Counties) and its role in significant events of American history.  Teachers will have opportunity to gain knowledge of the history and people of Northern Illinois Prairie Lands and develop unit/lesson plans to be applied in the classrooms.  Teachers will learn strategies and tools to prepare students for the study of local history and its ties to important events in Illinois and U.S. History.  Teachers will also have opportunity to tour historical locations and cultural museums linked to major units of study (ex: Hennepin Canal, Bishop Hill, Cherry Coal Mines.)  This course is also available for 3 grad credits at an additional cost of $300 through Aurora University due the first day of class.
Date(s): July 16 – 19, 2012
Time: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM each day
Location: Geneseo Location to be announced
Presenter(s):  Nancy Frakes & Gary ZumMallen
Audience: K-8th Grade Classroom Teachers
Cost: $175
CPDUs: 37
Registration Deadline:   7/11/2012