Podcast #166 - Smithsonian's "In Your Classroom" To Teach Lincoln

Hello. We are currently within a month of celebrating the 200th birthday of our greatest president - Abraham Lincoln. Teachers across the country are preparing and planning events. Today's podcast will discuss a couple of ways you can bring Lincoln into your classroom courtesy of the Smithsonian.

Be sure to view and download the Spring 2009 Issue of Smithsonian In Your Classroom which features 2 Lincoln lesson plans - Lincoln's Trip to Richmond and The Face of War. All of the resources are available for download as a PDF file. It could not be easier to incorporate these lessons into your classroom.

The second great opportunity from the Smithsonian is an invitation to attend/view the Online Conference Series focusing on the life of Lincoln. This virtual conference will take place on February 4 and 5, 2009. You can ask questions of the experts and learn about a variety of topics relating to Lincoln. All segments will be recorded and archived for viewing later.

If you have used these resources or have any thoughts on how you will celebrate the birthday of Lincoln, please leave a comment on this blog post or email me at speakingofhistory@gmail.com


Direct link to Podcast #166 - Smithsonian's "In Your Classroom" to Teach Lincoln - MP3 Audio File

Smithsonian In Your Classroom - Focus on Lincoln

This spring while in Washington DC as part of the National Teacher of the Year Program I spent an amazing day at the Smithsonian learning about the wealth of resources available to teachers - both when physically visiting the museums and when your classroom is hundreds of miles away. I became part of the Smithsonian Teacher Ambassador Program to help spread the word about these amazing resources.

Many of us are currently getting ready to help celebrate the 200th birthday of Abraham Lincoln with our students. I would like to pass along the following information about the latest issue of "Smithsonian in Your Classroom" - which includes a variety of great lesson plans on Lincoln. The issue includes some great information and one of my favorite Lincoln classroom activities - comparing photographs of Lincoln as he took office and then at the end of the Civil War just prior to his assassination. I encourage all history teachers to check it out. The issue and resources are available online, and as always - FREE.

Abraham Lincoln: The Face of a War

The latest issue of Smithsonian in Your Classroom is on its way to your schools and also available as a PDF download from SmithsonianEducation.org. The lessons in this issue use Smithsonian portraits of Lincoln to introduce a study of the Civil War. The portraits include the famous “cracked-plate” photograph, two plaster “life masks,” and an eyewitness drawing of Lincoln’s arrival in the enemy capital of Richmond, Virginia.

http://www.smithsonianeducation.org/educators/lesson_plans/lincoln/index.html

Free Abraham Lincoln Virtual Conference

The Smithsonian is honoring Abraham Lincoln’s bicentennial with special exhibitions and programs, and you will be able to participate in the national celebration through the first Smithsonian Online Education Conference: Abraham Lincoln. Throughout the days of February 4 and 5, 2009, you’ll explore Smithsonian research and collections related to Lincoln’s life – everything from portraits and diaries to documents and historical artifacts. Alongside Smithsonian curators, you’ll look at Lincoln’s life and legacy from the perspectives of history, science, and art.

http://www.smithsonianeducation.org/lincoln

Lincoln at 200

Also check out all the Lincoln events and resources available from the Smithsonian:

http://www.gosmithsonian.com/lincoln/http://www.smithsonianmag.com/history-archaeology/life-of-lincoln.html

Corps of Discovery - Dress As Your Favorite Member of the Corps Day

Hello. Each year I come to school on one day dressed as a member of the Corps of Discovery. About 7 years ago I received a grant to purchase an outfit based on the records of what a member of the Corps of Discovery wore on the Lewis and Clark Expedition. In the past I have dyed my hair red and tried to become William Clark. Today I just came as a "common" member of the Corps.

Podcast #165 - The Book Blitz Classroom Activity - Getting Students to Read Historical Novels

Hello. We did an interesting activity in class today that I thought I would share - a Book Blitz. Our library media center has a great collection of historical novels and books with a historical interest - my task is to encourage students to check them out and read them. For some reason though it just doesn't work for me to tell them to "go to the LMC and find a good historical novel" so I decided to bring the books to them.

The podcast describes how we did the activity and the handout I created is available here as a PDF if you want to use in your classroom. I have also listed a partial list of novels and books that were pulled from the LMC to use for the blitz activity. I have read some, but not all, of the books on this list.

- Book Blitz Student Handout - PDF Format

- Online Timer - can be used in class to keep track of time for the activity

If you would like to comment on this podcast, let me know how this activity worked in your class or would like to comment on a novel from the list (or add a historical novel for junior high students to the list) please leave a comment to this blog post.

George Washington, Spymaster - by Thomas B. Allen

The Captain's Dog by Roland Smith

The California Gold Rush - An Interactive History Adventure (You Choose Books) by Elizabeth Rawn

The Rifle by Gary Paulsen

Fever 1793 by Laurie Halse Anderson

Hope's Crossing by Joan Elizabeth Goodman

The Ransom of Mercy Carter by Caroline B. Cooney

Beyond the Divide by Kathryn Lasky

Letters from the Corrugated Castle by Joan W. Blos

Just Jane by William Lavender

47 by Walter Mosley

The Journal of Douglas Allen Deeds - The Donner Party Expedition (My Name is America Series)

The Murder of Abraham Lincoln (Graphic Novel) by Rick Geary

Cabin on Trouble Creek by Jean Van Leeuwen

The Slave Dancer by Paula Fox

An Enemy Among Them by Deborah H. DeFord and Harry S. Stout

Hang A Thousand Trees with Ribbons - The Story of Phillis Wheatley by Ann Rinaldi

Direct link to Podcast #165 - The Book Blitz Activity - MP3 Audio File

Podcast #164 - Review of Henry Knox - Visionary General of the American Revolution by Mark Puls

Today's podcast is a review of one the best best I have read recently on the American Revolutionary War era and its leaders - Henry Knox - Visionary General of the American Revolution by Mark Puls For the past couple of year Knox has fascinated me as one of the most under appreciated figures of the American Revolution. His contributions during the war and in the years immediately following the war are incredible - and most Americans are not aware of his contributions.

I strongly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys learning more about the Revolutionary era and teaches this time period to students. My wife gave me this book for my birthday in the fall and I really enjoyed reading it. I would love to have the opportunity to sit down and chat with Mr. Knox and I think I would instantly like him.

If you have a comment about his book, have read it and would like to share your impressions or share my admiration for Knox -please leave a comment to this blog post. Thanks.

Direct link to Podcast #164 - Review of Henry Knox - Visionary General of the American Revolution by Mark Puls - MP3 Audio File

"School House to the White House" Teacher Workshop at the Truman Library

Just passing along some information about a great opportunity to Kansas City area history teachers - or anyone that can make it the Truman Library on February 7, 2009. I plan on sending in my application later today.

Beginning on February 7th and lasting through August 30th the Harry S. Truman Library and Museum will host the National Archives traveling exhibit, "School House to White House: The Education of Presidents". Journey back to the schooldays of the 20th-century presidents through photographs, archival materials, and museum objects revealing fascinating detail about the children who would one day grow up to be President of the United States.

In conjunction with this exhibit, a teacher workshop will be held from 9:00 - 3:00 on Saturday, February 7th. Educators from four Presidential Libraries (Hoover, Truman, Eisenhower, and Clinton) will share information and teaching activities for use in the classroom. The cost for this one day workshop is $25.00 and includes a lunch. The workshop is limited to 50 participants. You must go to this Truman Library website education page to download and print the registration.

http://www.trumanlibrary.org/educ/schoolhouseregistration.pdf

This form with your $25.00 payment must then be mailed in.

Free Webinar on Zunes in the Classroom January 6th

Hello. Just wanted to let you know I will be hosting a free Microsoft Tech Tuesday webinar describing how we have been using Zune MP3 players in our classroom at 3:00 PM on Tuesday, January 6,2009. Follow this link to register for the webinar and learn more.

I have been piloting the use of the Zune MP3 player in my classroom for the past two years. In one of my 8th grade American history classes each student has a 4GB Zune MP3 player. I use it to give them StudyCasts, history related podcasts, video and copies of the presentation notes. It has been an exciting project and my students love it. The webinar will be an opportunity for me to describe the project in more depth. This webinar is also scheduled to repeat on March 10, 2009 if you can't make it on Tuesday.

At the end of the webinar one lucky participant will win a 120 GB Zune MP3 player! It could be you. Hope to see some of you on Tuesday. If you have any questions please leave a comment or sent me an e-mail. Thanks.

Podcast #163 - Using Google Video Chat to Visit the National Constitution Center

Some days you do an activity in the classroom that just works incredibly well and you walk away thinking "AWESOME". I had that experience today. Today my 8th grade history students in Liberty, Missouri were able to take a visual field trip to the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia and participate in a tour given by National Constitutional Center Education Director Eli Lesser. We used Google's new Video Chat feature - it was very easy to use and we had a quality picture. Eli used his laptop and a web cam to move around Signers Hall at the National Constitution Center. He told stories about the statues in the hall while showing my students specific details. He answered questions as they raised their hand in my class. It was incredible. I know this is not a ground breaking event - many classes participate in video conferences every day, but I found it amazing that all we needed to make a connection was a G-mail account, a web cam and one click. Very impressive. If this is possible with minimal effort, what else can be accomplished with this application? Wow.

I talk about today's experience in the podcast and I recorded the experience with my Flip camera from the back of the room. I have uploaded a 7 minute segment from the video experience to You Tube and have embedded it below.

I would like to thank Eli Lesser for taking time out of his day to participate in this activity with my students. I would encourage all history teachers to sign up for the National Constitution Center educator newsletter to stay informed about all upcoming activities and events.

If you have any comments or questions about the video conference please leave a comment to this blog entry. I would also love to hear about any experiences you have with connecting classes via Google Video Chat. Are you an 8th grade American history class that would like to participate in a project with us in Liberty, Missouri? If so please let me know - send an e-mail to speakingofhistory@gmail.com

Direct link to Podcast #163 - Using Google Video Chat to Visit the National Constitution Center - MP3 Audio File

Deadline Approaching For 2009 Cable's Leaders in Learning Awards

Last Chance to Nominate and Apply for 2009 Cable's Leaders in Learning Awards Application Period Ends at Noon PT on December 17th Washington, DC – The application deadline for Cable’s Leaders in Learning Awards is only two weeks away.

Applications are being accepted through December 17th from individuals who implement creative learning programs in their communities, helping to push education progress to new heights. The annual program recognizes outstanding educators, administrators, policymakers, and other leaders at the forefront of innovation in education. The application period ends Wednesday, December 17, 2008 at 12 noon PT. Applications can be submitted online only via www.LeadersInLearningAwards.org.

A podcast discussion about the application process is also available on the awards website for those considering applying. Cable’s Leaders in Learning Awards recognize a broad array of innovators, including:* Highly inventive classroom educators, administrators, community leaders, and policymakers who are transforming education from pre-kindergarten through high school.* Those who have had a major impact on educating youth both in and out of the classroom.* Those who have adopted innovative learning practices that have transformed an aspect of education on a large or small scale. In addition to national and local recognition, winners receive:* A $3,000 cash prize* An all-expense-paid trip to Washington, DC in June, 2009 - While in Washington, award recipients will visit with members of Congress to talk about their award-winning programs. - Winners will attend an awards ceremony with policymakers, government officials, national education leaders, cable executives, and other VIPS. Cable’s Leaders in Learning Awards, administered by Cable in the Classroom, recognize innovative programs in several categories including: General Excellence, Cable Partnerships for Learning, and Media Literacy Education. For more information, please visit: www.LeadersInLearningAwards.org.

Cable in the Classroom (CIC), the cable industry's education foundation, works to expand and enhance learning opportunities for children and youth. Created in 1989 to help schools take advantage of educational cable programming and technology, CIC has become a leading national advocate for media literacy education and for the use of technology and media for learning, as well as a valuable resource for educational cable content and services for policymakers, educators and industry leaders. For more information about Cable in the Classroom, please visit: www.ciconline.org.

Podcast #162 - Create A Word Cloud of the Constitution Using Wordle

Hello. Today's podcast is a quick one about using the application Wordle in your social studies class. Wordle is a web based application which allows you to create a word cloud from a sample of text. You can manipulate the colors, shape, font, etc. to make a really cool visual represenation of text.




Since we are studying the United States Constitution right now in class I create two "Wordles" composed of the text of the Constitution. I think they look pretty cool and my 8th graders thought they were awesome. Listen to the podcast to learn a little more about using Wordle in your social studies classroom.

Direct link to Podcast #162 - Create A Word Cloud of the Constitution Using Wordle - MP3 Audio File