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Teacher E-Newsletter
January 2008  Volume 1
In This Issue
Oswald's Ghost on PBS
Living History for Students
New Teacher Advisory Committee
Filming Kennedy Exhibit Open
CSI for Families
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The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza chronicles the assassination and legacy of President John F. Kennedy; interprets and supports the Dealey Plaza National Historic Landmark District and the John F. Kennedy Memorial Plaza; and presents contemporary culture within the context of presidential history.
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Message from the Executive Director
 

Welcome to the first issue of our Teacher E-Newsletter, geared especially for educators in North Texas.  We are extremely excited to launch in January 2008 our first set of innovative museum educational activities and special programs.  We will be relying on all of you to provide us with feedback and recommendations so we can better deliver our outreach services.

 

The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza offers a broad range of valuable, original historical resources pertaining to the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, and the presidential legacy.  Timely social and political issues which remain critical to our present and future understanding of the world we live in are rooted in these historical perspectives offered at the museum.  We remain current and relevant to your educational needs.

 

Please contact Sharron Conrad, Curator of Education, who is spearheading this brand new initiative for us. Share with her all your ideas.  

 

Wishing you all a productive Happy New Year.

 

Nicola Longford, Executive Director

 

PBS to air documentary Oswald's Ghost on Monday, January 14 at 9 pm CST

   
Oswald Escorted by Police, Bill Winfrey Collection, Dallas Morning News/The Sixth Floor Museum
 
Bill Winfrey Collection, Dallas Morning News/The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza
 
Documentary and Free Teacher Materials Now Available
 
Directed by Robert Stone for American Experience,
Oswald's Ghost blends historical footage and contemporary interviews to create a thorough account of the Kennedy assassination and aftermath, while examining why this event continues to haunt the nation.
 
The Sixth Floor Museum recently presented the southwest premiere of Oswald's Ghost before 500 guests at Dallas' historic Texas Theatre.  The event was followed by a panel discussion with Stone, journalist Hugh Aynesworth and researcher Josiah Thompson.  The discussion was moderated by the Museum's curator Gary Mack.
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Check out the
Oswald's Ghost Teacher's Guide
 
The Teacher's Guide includes classroom activities that use the site's FAQs and event timeline.
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Living History Sessions for Students
 
Oral Historian Stephen Fagin with Students at The Sixth Floor Museum
 
New Student Program for 2008! 
 
This spring The Sixth Floor Museum will coordinate special gallery sessions for students to interact with the journalists, police officers and everyday people involved in some aspect of President Kennedy's visit to Dallas in 1963.  Students will tour the Museum's permanent exhibition and then meet our Oral Historian Stephen Fagin for a brief interview of a history maker.  Special guests will include Paul Bentley, one of Lee Harvey Oswald's arresting officers; Vivian Castleberry, The Dallas Times Herald's women's editor; and Maury Seitz, an airline pilot who co-piloted many of President Kennedy's chartered flights. 
 
Currently scheduled:
 
Friday, February 15 -- Jack Ruby trial juror Waymon Rose
 
Friday, March 21 -- Eyewitnesses Bill and Gayle Newman
 
Students are encouraged to ask their own questions of the speakers.  Teachers will be given biographical information about each speaker in advance, as well as transcripts of the speaker's oral history.
 
Sessions begin at 11 am
 
Space is limited, and will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis.  Reservations required.
 
Email: sharronc@jfk.org for more details.
 
Teachers Join the Museum's New Advisory Committee
 
The Sixth Floor Museum's 2007-08 Teacher Advisory Committee
 
A group of fourteen teachers from school districts around North Texas are helping to guide our new Teacher Advisory Committee.  The Committee--which meets quarterly--provides feedback on school programs, exhibitions, lesson plans and gallery guides.  The Committee also helps the Museum ensure that its education programming is connected to state and national standards. 
 
The Museum is incredibly grateful for the Committee members' dedication and support!
 
New Exhibit at The Sixth Floor Museum 
           
The Sixth Floor Museum Filming Kennedy Exhibition
 
Filming Kennedy: Home Movies from Dallas
 
Home movies have played an important role in American culture since the early 20th century. From family occasions and historic events to instant entertainment viewed by millions online, home movies continue to shape our culture in unpredictable--and sometimes profound--ways.
 
This new exhibition showcases silent moving images of President John F. Kennedy and the stories of those who captured him on film.
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Ask about our
Filming Kennedy
Student Gallery Guides
FREE with Museum Admission!
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CSI for Families Returns to The Sixth Floor Museum
 
CSI for Families at The Sixth Floor Museum
 
Explore the Science and History of Forensics Sunday, March 16th from 12-5 pm
 
In this second annual event for families, Museum visitors will identify and analyze evidence in a mock crime scene, and then formulate their hypothesis about the suspect! 
 
Students and faculty from the University of Central Oklahoma's Forensic Science department will be on hand to help families learn more about fingerprint, hair and footprint analysis, bullet trajectories, eyewitness accounts and more.  
 
The first 1,000 children are eligible for a FREE fingerprint identification kit.
 
This event is free with Museum admission.  Call 214-747-6660 for details.
Every day is teacher day!
 
At The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza every day is teacher day because teachers receive a discounted $6 admission fee with school identification. This discount is limited to teachers only.  No coupons necessary, but valid school identification is required at time of purchase.

Visit our website for information on scheduling tours and living history sessions for your classes!