Happy autumn! For many of you, the first quarter of the year is winding down. We hope you and your students are getting back into the groove of the school year. The Kansas Historical Society's education staff continues to design more standards-based tours and Read Kansas! cards to help you reach your curriculum goals. In this issue of the teacher e-news, you'll find information on:

- Kansas Council for the Social Studies
- Kansas Day
- History Day
- Standards-based tour for fourth graders at William Allen White State Historic Site
- From our inbox
- Calendar of events

Read on to learn more. If you can't find what you're looking for by clicking on the links or exploring our website, don't hesitate to contact our education staff at 785-272-8681, ext. 415, or e-mail us.

Note: Is there a new teacher in your building or district that might benefit from our teacher e-news? Please forward this e-mail to them so they can take advantage of our resources!

The Kansas Historical Society is proud to host the Kansas Council for the Social Studies 2008 Annual Conference Monday, October 27, 2008. The conference will be held at the Historical Society in Topeka and will feature 20 outstanding K-12 presentations on topics such as primary sources, instructional strategies, social studies resources, and cross curriculum application. Keynote speaker Jim Richardson is a National Geographic photographer and social documentarian. A pre-conference "Celebrate Social Studies" party will be held the night before.

Mark your calendars! Kansas Day celebrations will take place at the Kansas State Capitol, Kansas Museum of History, and several of our state historic sites across Kansas. Kansas Day is Thursday, January 29, 2009!

Kansas Day at the Kansas Museum of History will include performances by an Abraham Lincoln reenactor and an African American drummer and storyteller.

Get ready for History Day 2009! Do your students do research papers or other exit projects? Students taking classes in forensics, theater, speech, history, government, and English may already have a project that, with a little tweaking, would fit the History Day format.  This is a great opportunity for your students to add the prestigious History Day program to their college resume.  Download an informational flier on this year's theme from our website or email Historyday@kshs.org for details.

Introduce your class to the "Sage of Emporia," William Allen White, and address selected history, civics, and reading standards at the same time! This “reverse” tour puts your students in the role of tour guide. Prior to the trip, each class will be provided with information covering five different aspects of Mr. White’s life. When students arrive, each group will be assigned a room of the house in which they will play the role of “tour guide” for not only the rest of the class but also our “Mr. White." Visit the tour website or e-mail site administrator Nick Gronseth for details.

Question:  For the first time in several years our school budget includes funds to take our fourth graders on a field trip.  We’re very excited, but want to make the most of any trip by making sure it ties in with state standards.  What does the Historical Society have that would fit our goals?

Our staff's response: Congratulations on receiving funding for a field trip!  Fourth grade is a big year for teaching Kansas history, and the Historical Society has many standards-based tours specifically designed for this age group.  Standards-based tours are unique, dynamic experiences sure to get your students excited about Kansas History.  Here are a few suggestions.

At the Kansas Museum of History (in Topeka) - Two standards-based tours for fourth graders have been developed in the past few years
- Oregon or Bust! – Learn about the westward trails, load your wagon and hit the (nature) trail.  Meets history, economics, reading and writing standards.
- Risk Takers and Pizza Makers: Kansas Entrepreneurs – Learn about famous Kansans and what it takes to be a successful entrepreneur.  Then apply that knowledge to make (and eat) a standardized pizza – YUM!  Meets history, economics, reading and writing standards.

At the State Historic Sites -
- Hats Off to William Allen White! at William Allen White House (Emporia) – Explore the William Allen White House to discover what made this Kansan famous and meet Mr. White himself!  Meets history, civics and reading standards.
-Wagons Ho! for the Oregon-California Trail at Hollenberg Pony Express Station (near Hanover) – Learn about the westward trails, load your wagon and hit the (nature) trail.  Meets history, economics, reading and writing standards.

Do you have a question regarding our educational resources?: Click here. Even if we don't include your question in the e-news, we'll certainly try to respond to you via e-mail.

Through January 4, 2009
Topeka
Forces of Nature
Special Exhibit
Kansas Museum of History
785-272-8681

Saturdays through November 1, 2008
Pleasanton
Autumn Guided Tours of Mine Creek Battlefield
Mine Creek Battlefield State Historic Site
913-352-8890

October 11 - 12, 2008
Fairway (near Kansas City)
Fall Festival
Shawnee Indian Mission State Historic Site
913-262-0867

October 25, 2008
Hays
Graveside Conversations
Fort Hays State Historic Site
785-625-6812

October 17, 2008
Topeka
Haunted History
Kansas Historical Society
785-272-8681

October 26, 2008
Republic
Pawnee Star Show
Pawnee Indian Museum State Historic Site
785-361-2255

October 31, 2008
Topeka
Tricks and Treats at the Boo-seum
Kansas Historical Society
785-272-8681

November 9, 2008
Republic
2008 Archeological Excavation Presentation
Pawnee Indian Museum State Historic Site
785-361-2255

November 30, 2008
Republic
Holiday Open House
Pawnee Indian Museum State Historic Site
785-361-2255

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