Naperville, Ill. — More than 20 history and social studies teachers who are participants in the Teaching American History: Sharing the Past, Shaping the Future grant, will take a hands-on approach to historical research during a "Primary Documents and Artifacts Workshop" to be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 8, at Naper Settlement, 523 S. Webster St., Naperville.

Along with Naper Settlement education and curatorial staff, the all-day workshop will feature North Central College Professors Ann Keating and Nancy Keiser, who will discuss primary sources and how to use them in the classroom, and Northwestern University Professor Angela Ray, who will talk about lyceums in the 19th century. Naper Settlement staff includes Director of Visitor Services Donna Sack, Chief Curator Louise Howard, Assistant Curator Jennifer Bridge and Research Associate Bryan Ogg. Staff members will discuss the history, conservation and 2006 acquisition of the lyceum book. The lyceum book is a 170-page document that is a record of weekly meetings from Fall 1836 to Spring 1843 of a group composed of Naperville’s founders and early settlers, who debated issues of the day.

Teachers also will tour the buildings at Naper Settlement, have a hands-on look at Naper Settlement’s rich archive and join in a scavenger hunt of historic artifacts in the "Brushstrokes of the Past…Naperville's Story" exhibit.

Teaching American History: Sharing the Past, Shaping the Future is a three-year professional development program for history and social studies teachers, funded by the United States Department of Education, and granted to Indian Prairie School District 204 on behalf of a consortium of area school districts. Written and administered by Naper Settlement, in partnership with North Central College, this teacher professional development program serves teachers in five area school districts, 129, 131, 200, 203 and 204, in Aurora, Naperville and Wheaton. The goal of the Teaching American History grant program is to raise student achievement by improving teachers' knowledge, understanding and appreciation of American history.