Education – Professional Development
Professional development workshops promote The Magic House philosophy of combining hands-on learning and fun! Educators can enjoy the camaraderie of fellow teaching professionals while learning activities that are easily integrated into classroom curricula. Money Doesn’t Grow on Trees provides elementary teachers with innovative economic education resources, as well as field trips for their classes. A Math-magical Workshop for Teachers makes early math instruction as simple as 1-2-3. A Taste of Science serves up a sampling of hands-on science experiences for early childhood educators, while Storytime Science and Math blends children’s literature and storytelling to bring simple science and math concepts into the preschool classroom. Two new programs help educators introduce hands-on science. Force, Motion and Simple Machines offers an interactive approach to understanding Newton’s basic laws of motion, while Going Green, an environmental awareness program, provides tips on teaching kids how to preserve our planet and its natural resources.
For further information or to make a reservation, please contact the Education Department: educationinfo@magichouse.org.
Professional Development Workshops
| Meet Mr. Lincoln | For teachers K to 8th grade |
To commemorate the 148th anniversary of the Gettysburg Address, President Abraham Lincoln, one of our most beloved presidents, is hosting a FREE state reception at The Magic House on Thursday, November 17, 2011 from 5:00 to 7:00 pm. Honest Abe (played by actor Larry Greer) will share insight into the history of 19th-century America, conduct a guided tour of the Star-Spangled Center and provide an all-American dinner of his favorite Chicken Fricassee, gingerbread, berry cobbler and a good cup of coffee! This special event, for classroom teachers in grades K-8, will afford everyone attending a FREE civic education field trip to our Star-Spangled Center! A drawing that night will award a limited number of visits by the 16th President to lucky schools. Teachers from member schools of the Cooperating School District should register in teams of two or more and attendance is limited to 100. Add yourself to the guest list by contacting the Education Department: educationinfo@magichouse.org or 314.822.8900, ext.13.
Thanks to a generous grant from The Boeing Company, a limited number of qualifying teachers and school groups will participate in this program free of charge.
| Money Doesn’t Grow on Trees | 2nd to 3rd grades |
This workshop is designed to assist teachers in preparing students to participate in the Money Doesn’t Grow on Trees financial literacy field trip program and provide ideas on integrating economic education into classroom curricula. Attendance at the FREE teacher workshop is a prerequisite for teachers new to the Money Doesn’t Grow on Trees program and grants each teacher a FREE field trip!
Workshop Dates
Wednesday, October 5, 2011 from 6 to 8 pm
Tuesday, October 11, 2011 from 6 to 8 pm
Thanks to a generous grant from The Wachovia Wells Fargo Foundation, a limited number of qualifying teachers will participate in this program free of charge.
| A Math-magical Workshop | Preschool to 3rd grades |
It all adds up in this workshop for teachers of kindergarten through 3rd grade! Join museum educators from The Magic House to explore innovative ideas and hands-on teaching techniques that support Missouri and Illinois’ early learning standards for math. Topics include number recognition, measurement, estimation, geometry, fractions and more. This workshop makes early math instruction as simple as 1-2-3!
Workshop Cost: $250 per session
Workshop Length: Two hours
Size Limit: Maximum 50 teachers
| Storytime Science and Math | Preschool to 2nd grades |
Once upon a time, educators participated in a workshop on how to bring science, math and literature connections into the early childhood classroom. Employing favorite children’s books as a springboard, teachers will gather new ideas on using storytime to integrate basic hands-on science and math activities into the preschool curriculum.
Workshop Cost: $250 per session
Workshop Length: Two hours
Size Limit: Maximum 50 teachers
Thanks to a generous grant from the PNC Foundation, 10 teachers from qualifying schools will participate in this program free of charge.
| A Taste of Science | Preschool to 2nd grades |
This popular workshop is designed to “whet your appetite” for making hands-on science an important component of the early childhood and primary classroom. The workshop examines four thematic units in depth: the environment, kitchen chemistry, the scientific process and the five senses. Teachers gain hands-on experience while exploring activities that emphasize science process skills and focus on active learning and sensory experiences that are easily integrated into your present classroom curriculum.
Workshop Cost: $250 per session
Workshop Length: Two hours
Size Limit: Maximum 50 teachers
| Force, Motion and Simple Machines | 3rd to 5th grades |
With little effort teachers will grasp an understanding of Newton’s basic laws of motion and the effect they have on the world around us. This hands-on approach will cover the basics of balanced and unbalanced forces, the effects of friction and gravity and how force and motion play a part in the workings of simple machines.
Workshop Cost: $250 per session
Workshop Length: Two hours
Size Limit: Maximum 50 teachers