• California and the World: A Global International Education Summit
• Prophet, Profits and Politics - Islam in the World: Middle Ages to the Modern Era
• Telling Our Stories, Transforming Our Dreams: A Workshop with Amada Irma Perez
• Economics - Thinking Globally
• Discovering Mixtec Cultures: Hands-on Learning Using Authentic Cultural Materials
• Intercultural Ambassadors

Exploration into Chinese History & Culture 2009 A Summer Institute for Elementary School Teachers Grades K-5 San Diego State University Registration closed

Five afternoons of exciting programming with faculty from SDSU's Chinese Studies Institute and the Confucius Institute in collaboration with the International Studies Education Project (ISTEP). Includes classroom resources, curriculum demostrations, free classroom materials and a $250 stipend. Space is limited! Apply now! For more information, contact Elsie Begler at (619) 594-2412.

Monday - Friday, June 22-26th, 1:00 - 5:00 p.m.
San Diego State University

Featuring:

Perspectives on the American Experience Summer Institute and Academic Follow-up 2009-2010 California State University, San Marcos Grades 8, 10 & 11 This program is full

This year-long, US Department of Education-funded program provides 8th, 10th, and 11th grade history teachers with a rich and exciting standards-based program that includes academic content, curriculum planning, and innovative approaches to technology integration.  The final year of this three-year grant will begin with a Summer Institute and continue with follow-up sessions throughout the academic year.

This summer institute offers teachers a program that will:

• Engage participants in thought - provoking & standards - based content presentations
• Enhance standards-based classroom strategies for effective teaching of history
• Provide practice in effective classroom implementation that supports student achievement
• Promote leadership and networking among historians and colleagues; and
• Provide innovative uses of technology to teach and learn history.

For more information, contact Tracie Santos-Tyler, Perspectives on the American Experience Proj. Specialist at (858)292-3528 or tsantostyler@sdcoe.net or Laurie Mosier, History-Social Science Coordinator at lmosier@sdcoe.net or (858) 292-3820.

The History of War and Peace in Judaism, Christianity and Islam - A National Endowment for the Humanities“Faculty Humanities Workshop” September 2008 - May 2009 San Diego State University Grade: Secondary School History and English Teachers Sponsored by the International Studies Education Project (ISTEP ), the Department of Religious Studies, and the Center for Islamic and Arabic Studies at San Diego State University

Religion – the cause of war, or a voice for peace? School textbooks and state curriculum standards often leave the impression that religion and war go hand-in-hand. But historically, the influence of religious thought on both war and peace is more complex than our textbooks – and news media – would have us believe.
Join scholars from San Diego State University in exploring the history of thinking on war and peace in the Abrahamic religious traditions (Judaism, Christianity and Islam) as reflected in key religious texts and commentaries by influential figures. Discuss the impact of religion in advancing both the causes and conduct of war, as well as enduring movements for peace. Explore the distinction between scripture and commentary, the use of genre in religious texts, and the importance of understanding the historic and cultural contexts of primary source documents. Work with colleagues in developing standards-based approaches for broadening
students’ understanding of the role of religion in both World and American History, and its continuing impact in the world today.

• Program Format: Nine seminar-style meetings, once a month throughout the 2008-09 academic year. Discussions at each session will be based on selected assigned readings. Teachers will work together developing age-appropriate lessons addressing state standards. A seminar ‘bulletin board’ will be available
  on-line for continuing exchanges among teachers and scholars between seminar meetings. Seminar Topics: Seminar sessions will cover basic concepts and terminology; treatment of war and peace in the foundational texts of Judaism, Christianity and Islam; Holy War in the Middle Ages; contemporary thinking about war and peace in the Abrahamic religious traditions; and classroom applications. Stipend: Participants will receive a stipend of $500 upon completion of the program. Professional Development Hours: Participants will receive a certificate of completion of 22.5 hours of professional development. Who’s Eligible?
   Middle and high school History and English teachers throughout the San Diego region. Pre-service teachers who are currently student-teaching may also apply.
   Participation is limited to 15 teachers, selected on a competitive basis. Commitment to attend the entire program is required.
• When and Where? Thursdays, 4:15 – 6:45 p.m., usually on the 2nd or 3rd Thursday of every month, September through May. (Specific dates: 9/18; 10/16; 11/13; 12/11; 1/15; 2/19; 3/19; 4/23; and, 5/14.) All meetings will take place at San Diego State University. Parking permits and “significant snacks” will be provided.

For more information call: Elsie Begler at (619) 594-2412

California and the World: A Global International Education Summit May 6, 2008 - 8:00 am to 3:00 pm California State University, Fullerton Grades - All Levels Registration closed

Our students are growing up in a world that requires a global understanding to live, work, and participate as active citizens in the global interconnected world of the 21st century. Learn about resources and practices that enhance global international skills and perspectives in all disciplines. Join forward thinking members of our community in creating a plan to enhance partnerships, educational opportunities, and funding to prepare K-University students for success.

Featured Speakers:

• National Geographic Charles E.M. Kolb,
• President Committee on Economic Development
• Chris Harrington, Vice President Strategy and Business Development Toshiba America Information Systems, Inc.
• Dr. Anthony Jackson, Executive Director International Studies Schools Network
• Panel of Best Practices

ISTEP is sending a San Diego contingent to attend and participate in this exciting opportunity. Submit your registration if you are interested in attending no later than April 25, 2008.

How much do you really know about Islam's role in world history? How well are you able to answer student questions about the relationship between the Islamic World and the West? What strategies can you use to facilitate student learning and classroom discussion in today's highly charged environment?

This series of workshops will deepen your own knowledge while providing approaches and introducing resources for use in your classroom. Sessions will include: Strategies for Active Learning Teacher & Student Resources Classroom Activities Presentations by University Scholars from the Departments of History, Economics and Political Science at SDSU and UCSD on the following topics:

• Economics of the Middle East in the Middle Ages
• History of the Late Ottoman Empire
• Twentieth Century Middle Eastern History
• The Islamic World East of Iran: Politics of Colonial and Post-Colonial Periods
• Islam and the West - Beyond the So-Called Clash of Civilizations

Program Dates:
Saturday, April 19, 8:30 am - 3:00 pm
Wednesday, April 23, 4:15 - 6:45 pm
Wednesday, April 30, 4:15 - 6:45 pm

Telling Our Stories: Transforming Our Dreams - A Workshop with Amada Irma Pérez April 10 , 2008 - 4:00 to 6:00pm Arts and Letters, Room 204 San Diego State University Grades K - 8 THIS WORKSHOP SERIES IS FREE *A $25 deposit (to be returned at the first meeting) is required to hold your place.

Amada Irma Pérez, an award-winning author and speaker, will share stories from her books and inspire all to share, write and publish, too. As an educator of K-University for over 25 years, she will describe her journey from immigrant to teacher to author as she delights everyone with excerpts from all of her books published by Children’s Book Press: My Very Own Room – Mi propio cuartito (2000), My Diary from here to there – Mi diario de aquí hasta allá (2002) and Nana’s Chicken Coop Surprise – Nana, ¡Qué sorpresa! (2007). Everyone will take off writing the poetry and stories of their own lives and learn new ways of sharing them with their own children and students. It is certain to be a transformative experience!

Amada Irma Pérez's books are inspired by her own life – they are beloved for their humorous details and themes of family support, love, friendship, sharing and working to make dreams come true. They are used at all educational levels, even in adult Spanish and E.S.L. classes.

To hold your spot in the workshop, please mail your $25.00 check deposit payable to The Center for Latin American Studies. Mail to: The Center for Latin American Studies, SDSU, San Diego, CA 92182-6038. Your deposit check will be returned to you at the workshop. For more information, please contact Daniela Juri at (619) 594-1103.

FREE ADMISSION, FREE PARKING & REFRESHMENTS!
A COPY OF MY VERY OWN ROOM – MI PROPIO CUARTITO WILL BE GIVEN FOR FREE TO THE FIRST 30 REGISTRANTS!

Economics - Thinking Globally February 28 , 2008 - 4:30 to 7:30pm San Diego County Office of Education Joe Rindone Technology Center 6401 Linda Vista Road, San Diego Grades 7 - 12

Economics teachers - mark your calendars for an event you can't miss!

Cosponsored by the San Diego Center for Economic Education, ISTEP and the San Diego County Office of Education, this NCEE-funded workshop will rev-up your enthusiasm for addressing globalization in your Economics classroom.

This workshop will assist you in framing the globalization debate in terms any student can understand. You will be better prepared to assist students in exploring key issues from trade to the environment to outsourcing, so that they can leave your classroom with a firm understanding of their roles as workers and consumers in the global economy.

The workshop includes:

• Presentation by Jim Gerber, Professor of Economics and Director of the Center for Latin American Studies at SDSU
• NCEE curriculum - FREE!
• Demonstration of and active participation in NCEE lessons/activities
• Implemation guidance from veteran economics teachers

For more information, please contact Tony Zambelli at (619) 660-6318.

FREE ADMISSION AND SNACKS!

On-Going Professional Development Opportunities

Discovering Mixtec Culture: Hands-on Learning Using Authentic Cultural Materials Grades K - 8

The Mixtec Cultural Discovery Box, developed at the Center for Latin American Studies, SDSU, contains approximately fifteen items of cultural realia. It also includes the curriculum unit, Discovery Box: Exploring Culture Through Artifacts (Stanford, CA: SPICE), an audio tape of authentic Mixtec music and a binder of materials with an overview of the Mixteca region and Mixtec peoples, maps, a Mixtec folktale, a game, photos, and an introduction to the language.

The Mixtec Cultural Discovery Box encourages learning through hands-on investigation. Students generate hypotheses about the geographical, historical, technological, and social contexts of the culture that produced the items, attempting to answer such questions as: What is the item made of?, How is it used?, What is it?, and, With what item in their own lives could they compare it?

ISTEP staff will be available beginning February, 2005, to conduct staff and/or student training on Mixtec culture and use of the Discovery Box. 

Do you have Mixtec Students in your school?  We are trying to identify schools in San Diego County that serve students from Mixtec-speaking families.  Schools with Mixtec students will take precedence for free Discovery Box training and presentations.

If you would like to receive announcements of up-coming programs

at your school or district, please contact ISTEP Director, Dr. Elsie Begler, at (619) 594-2412.