Creating Videos to Keep in Touch with Students While Away

So this is nothing revolutionary (pun intended, please read on) but I have used video a couple of times this year to touch base with my students while out of the classroom a couple of times and it has really helped.  Early in the school year I was out of state for a couple of days as my wife and I attended a funeral and last week I was at Mount Vernon for a couple of days attending the 2014 Mount Vernon Missouri Teachers Workshop.  

I have a great sub who consistently covers my classes while I am away so I feel fortunate to have someone who knows the content (retired 8th grade American history teacher) and is great with the students but I also want to help keep them updated on the assignment, give a little extra instruction while I am gone, etc.

I have two examples below of videos that I used while gone last week.  

The first is an example of the video that I posted and shared as a sort of "introduction, here is what I would like you to accomplish today" video.  I try to keep these short, informational and have a little fun so that students will them interesting.  A laundry list of things to do while I am gone is not exciting.  I have used props or put on sunglasses in the past to make them more fun. This first video was for last Friday when I was attending the Mount Vernon workshop.

The second video is one that I created on Thursday night at Mount Vernon, posted on my classroom site and then had the students watch in class on Friday.  We arrived at Mount Vernon on Wednesday afternoon and attended a couple of lectures and did some guided tours of the outer buildings at Mount Vernon so I decided to share a little about "rustication" - the type of wooden siding that is on the exterior of many buildings at Mount Vernon.  

I used my own pictures taken just a couple of hours before and used ScreenCast-O-Matic and my MacBook Air to record a quick video.  It was one take, I didn't worry about stumbling over my words a couple of times and I knew it was not going to be nominated for an Oscar.  The purpose of the video was to touch base with my students, tell them about what I was learning while away from class and sharing a story.  The sub showed it to my class on Friday and said that the students did respond when I asked the question and they were engaged.

Again, nothing about these two videos were revolutionary - you record a video, post it to YouTube and share it - but it did create a connection and helped the students understand that I was thinking of them and wanted them to stay on point for the sub.

Taking the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge - That Was Refreshing!

Over the weekend I was challenged by JD Dalrymple of Nebraska along with some other educators on Twitter to participate in the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge.  I accepted the challenge and in addition to donating to the ALS Association I also allowed my wife to drop a bucket of ice water on me Sunday.  

I decided to put a GoPro camera on a selfie stick to record the moment.  My kids thought it was pretty funny too.  Here is the video:

I then challenged two fellow teachers who I consider to be great friends - William Chamberlain of Noel, Missouri and Lance Huebner of Liberty - to the Ice Bucket Challenge. To date the Ice Bucket Challenge has been a huge success for the ALS Association.

The story of the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge is definitely worth 7 minutes of your day - check out this video from ESPN.

Classroom Walkthrough 2014

My friend William Chamberlain this week recorded a video walkthrough of his classroom and shared it on his blog.  It was great to see how he set up his classroom and he challenged other teachers to create and share a video tour of their own classroom.

There has been a lot of discussion recently about space and how to create classroom environments which encourage student learning.  Last year I did a blog post that eventually led to my shift from individual student desks to tables. This year our building will be 1:1 and I have made some slight modifications to my room in order to help facilitate that new opportunity.  

Here is the video walkthrough I took today of my own classroom.  Please let me know if you have any questions or comments via the comments with this post.

Videos from Watkins Mill Fall on the Farm Day

Yesterday the family went out to Watkins Mill State Park in Lawson, Missouri to attend their annual Fall on the Farm Day. Watkins Mill is a great place to learn about Civil War era Missouri. Each year they host a day in fall with living history exhibitions to demonstrate life on a farm in this era. I brought along my Flip camera and took some video which I have shared with this blog post. I have included videos on sheep shearing and a blacksmith. It was a great day and I look forward to attending a similar event in the spring when they host Spring on the Farm.

Revolutionary War Musket Talk from Bunker Hill

Hello. A couple of months ago I was in Boston and while at the Bunker Hill site I heard one of the park rangers describe the use of muskets in the Revolutionary War. I had my Flip camera along so I recorded it and am currently sharing it with my class as we discuss the Revolution. I thought you might also enjoy the description and possibly use it in class as well.

Bill Moyers and Historical Figures Tweeting

Bill Moyer and some thoughts (humor) on famous historical figures and Twitter:

Live Video Feed of Shuttle Launch

Hello. I am constantly blown away by the ability for us as teachers to connect to the rest of the world via video. Today I'm sitting in my classroom in Liberty, Missouri working on some random projects and on my computer in the background I'm watching a live video feed from UStream and NASA. If you are reading his on May 11, 2009 go and check out the link below to watch the launch live. I just watched them strap in the astronauts prior to lift off.

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/spacevidcast

James Swanson Interview on Lincoln Assassination from Ford's Theatre You Tube Channel

Today as we reflect on the anniversary of Lincoln's assassination (April 14, 1865) take a few moments to watch some great videos from the Ford's Theatre You Tube Channel. These videos include some great segments from author James Swanson "Manhunt : The 12 Day Chase For Lincoln's Killer".

I have embedded one of the segments below in this post but please check out the entire Ford's Theatre channel on You Tube for other great segments of this interview, and others about Lincoln. Awesome content and I'm so thrilled that another major historical site, like the Smithsonian, has embraced web 2.0 tools such as You Tube!

You can also check out another great Swanson interview on You Tube from C-Span Book TV.

RSA Video from Ken Robinson - Author of "The Element"

Here is another great video from author/presenter Ken Robinson. If you enjoyed his TED video on creativity in schools check out this one from RSA. I can't get enough of this guy. Finished his book, The Element, a couple of weeks ago and really made me think about the lens through which I view myself and my students.

Thanks to 2008 National Teacher of the Year Mike Geisen - I first saw this video posted on his blog.

Podcast #184 - Creating "Common Craft" Type Videos about Historical Terms for Class

Hello. This week we did a cool project in class - my students created short videos in the "Common Craft" style to describe a variety of historical terms and concepts we are currently studying. My students loved it and did a great job. I have included a couple of videos with this blog post below, the rest you can view at my You Tube channel.

I have included a couple of pictures of the set up we used to film the videos with a Flip camera. The podcast has more details on how we created the videos. If you have any questions or thoughts on this project please leave a comment on this blog post.

Thanks to Common Craft for the inspiration - we are all huge fans of your work!

Direct link to Podcast #184 - Creating "Common Craft" Type Videos about Historical Terms for Class

Secrets of Lincoln's Watch Revealed

Very cool news today about the discovery of a message inside Lincoln's watch. I saw it reported first via the Museum of American History's Twitter feed and then later saw the Washington Post story.

Here is the blog entry about the watch from the Museum of American History's blog and includes some great pictures.

There is also some audio from NPR and the NBC video below.

Once again it's cool to know that not everything has been discovered in relation to our nation's history.

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

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

Pearson's 2008 Teachers of the Year Videos

Several weeks ago I was in New York with the other state teachers of the year and attended our last activity as a group. We were the guests of Pearson and had the opportunity to create a short video answering the question "Why Do I Teach?" It was a great experience as each of us created a short video in one afternoon of work. The videos of all the 2008 state teachers of the year are now posted online.

Link to see all the 2008 Teacher of the Year Videos from Pearson

I encourage you to visit the site and view some of the videos. Over the past 10 months this group of teachers became incredibly close and I have enjoyed viewing each of the videos and recalling conversations I have had with each of them. These teachers have so much to share and hearing their stories is truly inspiring.

I would like to thank Pearson for the opportunity to capture our stories and allow us as a group to experience digital storytelling. Pearson also provided each of us with a Flip videocam to use for future projects and I have truly enjoyed using this device which I think should be in the hands of each teacher in America.

Election Day 2008 Report

Hello. Hope everyone is enjoying Election Day 2008. I woke up around 5:00 AM and took my 5 year old daughter with me to vote. We were in line at 5:45 AM, polls opened at 6:00 AM and we were on our way home at 6:45 AM. Not too long of a wait and everyone was pleasant.

The students of South Valley Junior High School here in Liberty, Missouri participated in the Kid's Voting Project taking place across the Kansas City. Our results will be available on Tuesday night here.

I'm participating in the US Voting project with the students of Diana Laufenberg of the Science Leadership Academy in Philadlephia, Pennsylvania and Kyle Steven's students at the Bishop Dunne Catholic School in Dallas, Texas. Here is my video report on how the voting went this morning.

Teaching the Declaration of Independence as a Break Up Letter - Podcast and Video

NOTE : This post is an update of my podcast and post from about a year ago describing how I use a fictional break up letter to help teach the purpose of the Declaration of Independence. In the original podcast, from September 2007, I included audio of my class while doing this activity. Today - October 30, 2008 - I did this activity with my 8th graders and instead of capturing their reaction using audio, I used my Flip video camera and took video of the activity while it was happening. It was great and really shows how the activity works in a real classroom. I have embedded the video with this post.

Hello. Today's podcast describes one of the activities I use in class to teach about the Declaration of Independence. Students often don't really understand the purpose of the document and this activity usually helps. I act as if I have found a note on the floor of my class the day before after school and then I read it to the class. It is a break up letter and at the end the students are stunned to learn that it is from "the American Colonies". I have included the text of the letter that I use below and the podcast has a recording of what happens when I read the letter in class and the discussion that follows. The podcast also has some hints and suggestions if you would like to replicate this activity in your classroom. I'm sure someone out there does something similar but I have not been able to find it anywhere else. I really enjoy this activity and my students have fun with it as well.

Direct link to Podcast #120 - Teaching the Declaration of Independence as a Break Up Letter - MP3 File - 16:57 Minutes

If you have any comments or questions please leave a comment on the blog or send me an e-mail at speakingofhistory@gmail.com

You can subscribe directly to the Speaking of History podcast via i-Tunes here

Text of the letter that I read to my class this year:

I'm not sure how to start this letter but I feel we need to talk. I've been thinking about us a lot lately. Things used to be so great - it was like we were M.F.E.O. I mean everyone said it was perfect. I really thought we would be together forever but then things changed.
I feel like you started to take me for granted. You just started to do whatever you wanted and never even asked me about anything or how I felt.
I've been thinking about this for a while and I don't want to hurt you but I think it is time we broke up. I mean it's just not going to work. I need some time by myself to see what it is like on my own. I'm sorry things didn't work out but I do think YOU are the one to blame. Sorry but "US" is over.
The American Colonies

2008 T+L Conference in Seattle - Visiting the Space Needle

Hello. After I presented my preconference session on Monday afternoon I decided to visit the Space Needle. Everyone in Seattle has to visit the Space Needle right? I took the Monorail over to the Space Needle and as I paid $16 for my ticket to ride the elevator to the top I had doubts that it would be worth it but I must say that I was not disappointed. I arrived at the top of the Space Needle at about 5:30 PM right as the sun was setting over Elliott Bay. The sky turned several shades of red as ships moved in the bay. The city came alive as it grew darker and the lights began to show a city alive. I spent about an hour at the top and even watched part of a football game below - as I watched one team even scored a touchdown.

I have included some pictures from my visit and also took along my trusty Flip cam to record some video. I made a video Monday night and have posted it so my students can share in my visit to the Space Needle.

If you have any comments or would like to share your experience in visiting the Space Needle please leave a comment to this post. Thanks.

2008 T+L Conference in Seattle - A Tour of the Pike Place Market

Hello from Seattle. I'm in Seattle to present at the 2008 T+L Conference. My presentation is Monday afternoon but I did get into town on Sunday afternoon. After checking in to my hotel, I walked down to my favorite Seattle location - The Pike Place Market.

I took some pictures and video with my Flip. I created this short video on Sunday night so that my students back in Liberty, Missouri could watch it in class. It has some video of the original Starbucks, buskers and the "wall of gum".

Video of Space Shot Ride from Space Camp

At the U.S. Rocket and Space Center in Huntsville, Alabama they have a Space Shot ride - similar to ones you may see at amusement parks - which simulates a launch. This ride gives the rider the experience of 4G's. I rode it twice - once I had someone film it from the ground, the second time I held my Flip video camera to record what it looks like from the seat of the ride.

Podcast #136 - Cable in the Classroom Video - A Teacher's Story

Hello. Several months ago my students were featured in a video by Cable in the Classroom that was created to demonstrate some of the ways that teachers can utilize the resources they provide to teachers. Viva Productions came and and transformed our classroom into a studio - lights, microphones, high definition cameras, etc. Eric J Smith shot video for the day and then created a 3 minute video that will be distributed by Cable in the Classroom to teachers throughout the country. The video is available on their web site and will be made available to cable networks across America. You can view the online version of the video here.

It was a very educational experience for myself and my students. One of the most interesting experiences for me was recording the voice over at RSVP Productions - a local sound studio. The podcast gives greater detail about the background of the project and the experience. Special thanks to everyone that made the production possible including Julie Zastrow - Viva Productions, Kat Stewart - Cable in the Classroom, Eric J Smith for shooting the video, RSVP Productions and Joyce Peters of Kansas City Time Warner. A huge thanks to my students who were movie stars and did an awesome job "on the set".

Direct link to Podcast #136 - Cable in the Classroom Video - A Teacher's Story - MP3 Audio File - 7:20 Minutes

Podcast #135 - Please Vote For Me Documentary Video from Independent Lens

This is a great time to be a social studies teacher in terms of teaching about the election process and democracy. Recently while attending the NCSS Conference in San Diego I discovered another great resource to use with students that teaches the election process from a unique angle. Independent Lens has distributed an amazing documentary named "Please Vote For Me" .The 55 minute documentary follows a student monitor election in a Chinese classroom of 8 year olds. I have used it with my 8th graders and they loved it. If you would like a FREE copy of this DVD please listen to the podcast and then use the links provided in the show notes.

Today's podcast is also the first with a new intro and closing. Music used in the background is from Soundzabound - royalty free music for use in K-12 schools. Check it out.

Direct link to Podcast #135 - Please Vote For Me Documentary Video from Independent Lens - MP3 Audio File - 9:20 Minutes

Materials Request Form for materials from Independent Lens - including the DVD "Please Vote For Me"

Submit the materials request form to : outreach@itvs.org