Podcast #129 - My Top Ten Photos of 2007

Hello. Today is a podcast with a visual focus. I noticed that a couple of edubloggers (Ewan McIntosh and David Warlick) have posted their favorite photos of 2007. I thought this was a great idea. I love taking pictures with my digital camera and thought I would post my "Top Ten Photos of 2007". These are photos that I have taken in the past year and each has it's own story but you'll have to listen to the podcast to discover the story behind the photos.

Direct link to Podcast #129 "My Top Ten Photos of 2007" - MP3 audio file - 15:15 minutes



Please feel free to comment on this podcast and the photos by leaving a comment on the blog post or e-mailing me directly at speakingofhistory@gmail.com

Podcast #128 - Create a Family Memory This Holiday Season

Hello. If you listen to one episode of Speaking of History this year please make it this one. Tonight I'm talking about something you can do with your family this holiday season that you and your children will be glad you did years later. I know because my dad did this same thing back in 1977 when I was 6 years old and I'm very happy today that he did. This is a podcast about the power of story and a suggestion that I give you this holiday season.

Direct link to Podcast #128 - Create a Family Memory This Holiday Season - MP3 Format - 11:26 minutes



If you have any comments or would like to share a story about creating your family memory please leave a comment on this blog post or e-mail me directly at speakingofhistory@gmail.com

My grandfather - Henry C. Langhorst (second soldier as you look right to left) in the trenches of World War I. The machine gun on the ground in front of the group was his.

No School Today - Kansas City Ice Storm

Hello. Today we spent the day home from school due to the Midwest ice storm. We did not get it as bad in Kansas City as others but we did lose power for a while this morning. Here are some pictures from the storm. The top picture is from our historic downtown square in Liberty and the bottom picture is the view outside of our window today.

Podcast #127 - Review of the i-River T-60 Portable MP3 Player/Recorder

Hello. In today's podcast I will review the i-River T-60 portable MP3 player. As long time listeners of the podcast know - I'm a big fan of i-River and their products. I recently purchased a T-60 and it is my 4th i-River MP3 player.

I often recieve e-mails from people asking about what type of MP3 player/recorder I would suggest for school use and the answer is always "i-River". Their players are easy to use, small and have tremendous internal microphones. They are also a great value.

This podcast will focus on my personal experiences with my i-River T-60 Portable MP3 player / recorder. I would encourage any feedback you might have as a comment to this blog post or by e-mailing me at speakingofhistory@gmail.com

Direct link to Podcast #127 - Review of the i-River T-60 Portable MP3 Player / Recorder - MP3 File - 12:31 minutes

Show Notes for Podcast #127:

- i-River page for the T-60 series players / recorders

- review of the T-60 from Pocketables

- review of the T-60 from C Net

Podcast #126 - Ideas for Teaching a Lewis and Clark Unit

Hello. Today's podcast is a description of how I teach the Corps of Discovery to my 8th Grade American history class. I recieved an e-mail question from Jessica in Illinois asking me to describe what type of activities we do in class and I thought it would be a great topic for a podcast.

The picture you see above is me dressed an reenacter clothing as a member of the Corps of Discovery. The student in the picture is one of my students from this year who just happens to be the great, great, great, great, great granddaughter of William Clark - honestly! Her family often attends ceremonies at National Parks etc. celebrating the Lewis and Clark expedition.

Please feel free to add comments or suggestions as a comment to this blog entry or e-mail me at speakingofhistory@gmail.com



Direct link to Podcast #126 - Ideas for Teaching a Lewis and Clark Unit - MP3 file - 21:00 minutes

Show Notes for Podcast #126

- DVD - "Lewis and Clark - Great Journey West" from National Geographic

- DVD - "Technology of Lewis and Clark" from The History Channel

- DVD - "Lewis and Clark" from Ken Burns and PBS

- Book - "20 Plays for U.S. History Classes" from Walch Publishing

- Book - "Undaunted Courage" by Stephen Ambrose

- Book - "Tailor Made, Trail Worn - Army Life, Clothing adn Weapons of the Corps of Discovery" - everything you would ever want to know about the clothing of the Corps of Discovery

Podcast #125 - NCSS 2007 in San Diego Exhibit Hall Tour

Hello. Today's podcast is the second exhibit hall tour podcast from the 2007 NCSS Conference in San Diego. The previous NCSS 2007 exhibit hall tour is episode #123 and featured Art in History and People to People International. In this podcast I visit with exhibitors from GEEO.org, Muzzy Lane, the National Constitution Center and Independent Lens. Please be sure to check out their web site links to learn more about this services and organizations.

As always, please leave your comments as a comment to this blog post or e-mail me at speakingofhistory@gmail.com

Direct link to Podcast #125 - NCSS Exhibit Hall Tour - MP3 file - 18:00 minutes





Podcast #125 Show Notes:

- GEEO.org - "Helping Teachers Explore the World"

- Muzzy Lane - creators of Making History World War II game

- National Constitution Center - check out their summer workshops for teachers

- Independent Lens - A Film Festival in Your Living Room

Podcast #124 - NCSS 2007 Presentation in San Diego - "Why My Classroom is Web 2.0"

Hello. Today's podcast is the audio recording of my presentation in San Diego at the 2007 NCSS Conference. My presentation was entitled "Why My Classroom is Web 2.0". I am also including my PowerPoint slides via SlideShare.

Direct link to Podcast #124 - 2007 NCSS Conference Presentation "Why My Classroom is Web 2.0" - MP3 file - 60:00 Minutes

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David Warlick in Kansas City at UMKC Professional Development Workshop

Hello. I am currently sitting in a David Warlick presentation at Union Station in Kansas City - sponsored by UMKC. I was even asked to introduce him at the start of the day - WOW! Talk about a thrill. I heard David about 10 years ago and read his book Raw Materials for the Mind and that is what started my journey through educational technology. He is my technology mentor and when I heard him speak for the first time he changed the way I have taught my students from that time on.

I am currently podcasting the sessions today and will post them later. That's all for now - I am listening to his amazing presentation on 21st Century Literacy and participating in the back channel discussion.

Scenes from San Diego - 2007 NCSS Conference

Here are some quick snapshots from the 2007 National Council for the Social Studies conference in San Diego. It rained all day Friday but the sun came out on Saturday.

Podcast #123 - Art in History and People to People International

Hello. Today I stopped by two booths on the exhibit hall floor here at the NCSS conference in San Diego. The past couple of years I have done podcasts of products or services that I felt you might find interesting. Today we look at how you can incorporate art in your social studies class with Art in History and a way your classes can connect with students from around the world through People to People International.

Enjoy the podcast and check out the links for additional information. As always, please feel free to leave a comment on this blog post or email me at speakingofhistory@gmail.com

Direct link to Podcast #123 - Art in History and People to People International from NCSS 2007 in San Diego - MP3 file - 10:31 minutes

Podcast #123 Show Notes:

- Art in History Site

- People to People International Site