Podcast #18 - Interview with Bill Plympton from the History Channel's Program "Shays' Rebellion"

Hello. I have a great show for you today. In a couple of weeks the History Channel will show their much anticipated documentary series named "10 Days that Unexpectedly Changed America". The episode I am most interested in viewing focuses on Shays' Rebellion - Janaury 25, 1787. The entire documentary is animated. The illustrator is award winning artist Bill Plympton (Oscar nominee) and the director is award winning film maker R.J. Cutler (Peabody and Emmy Award winner, Academy Award nominee).

Today's show is an interview with illustrator Bill Plympton about the documentary. It is an interesting look at how history is mixing with graphic arts. I think the result is a powerful narrative for students that many teachers may find an interesting tool in teaching the Revolutionary War time period. Be sure to watch the History Channel on April 13th - 9:00 PM central - to view Shays' Rebellion: America's First Civil War. Check out the links below to check out video trailers of the show and more on the art of Bill Plympton.

If you have any questions or comments about the show please drop me an e-mail at speakingofhistory@gmail.com

Direct Link to Speaking of History Podcast #18 - Interview with Bill Plympton from the History Channel's Program "Shays' Rebellion" - MP3 Format (18 minutes)

Podcast #18 Show Notes:

• Bill Plympton's Official Site
• 10 Days that Unexpectedly Changed America - Shays' Rebellion: America's First Civil War - includes video trailer, interviews, information
• Actual Reality Pictures Site - includes video trailer
• Wikipedia Site for Shays' Rebellion
• Wikipedia Site for Bill Plympton

Podcast #17 - Winston Churchill Memorial and Museum in Fulton, Missouri

Hello. It's been a crazy week of activity for the Speaking of History podcast. Linda Man of the Kansas City Star newspaper published an article on March 20th about how I use podcasts and blogs in my classroom and soon the copy was picked up by several other blogs and online newsletters. Traffic on this site has gone through the roof in the last several days and I welcome any new listeners to the podcast. Since November of 2005 we have had people from 62 different countries and all 50 states view this site. If you would like to have all new content on the site delivered to you when it is added please consider using i-Tunes or Bloglines.

In today's episode I will focus on an amazing new Winston Churchill Memorial and Library museum that has recently opened in Fulton, Missouri - the site of Winston Churchill's famous "Iron Curtain" or "Sinews of Peace" speech in 1946. On the day of grand opening I interviewed John Hensley (e-mail - henslej@westminter-mo.edu) - the archivist and curator of the memorial. I took some pictures of the museum and have included a short photostory video here (only a minute and a half long) to give you an idea of the world class quality of this museum. The video also contains audio from the Iron Curtain speech in the background.

As always I welcome any comments or questions about the podcast. Please e-mail me at speakingofhistory@gmail.com

Direct link to Speaking of History Podcast #17 - Winston Churchill Memorial and Museum Interview - MP3 format (18 minutes)

Episode #17 Show Notes:

• Kansas City Star Newspaper article (March 20, 2006) on using podcasts and blogs in the classroom
• Winston Churchill Memorial and Library - Fulton, Missouri - Official Site
• Video slideshow of Winston Churchill Memorial and Library (90 seconds)
• John Hensley - The Winston Churchill Memorial and Library Archivist and Curator - E-Mail: henslej@westminster-mo.edu
• Listen to the entire Iron Curtain Speech (Sinews of Peace Speech)
• Wikipedia article on Winston Churchill
• Wikipedia article on The Iron Curtain
• Wikipedia article on Fulton, Missouri

Podcast #16 - Book Blogs, Conferences and Student Survey Stats

Hello. Time to catch up on a couple of random items today. Some updates on what I have been up to this semester and a Speaking of History first - a song. I'll also tell you about a couple of podcasts that I have been listening to lately and the results of a survey I gave my students about using my studycasts to review for tests. We also have the start of our book blog on The Year of The Hangman by Gary Blackwood. Here we go.....

If you have a comment about this episode you can e-mail me at speakingofhistory@gmail.com or leave a comment on the bottom of this entry.

Direct link to Speaking of History Podcast #16 - Book Blogs, Conferences and Student Survey Results - MP3 Format (25 minutes)

Show Notes:

• The Year of the Hangman book blog - participants in Missouri, Minnesota, Conneticut and New York
• MCSS - Missouri Council of Social Studies State - Conference in Jefferson City, Missouri - March 3-4, 2006
• NETA - Nebraska Educational Technology Association - Conference in Omaha, Nebraska - April 27-28, 2006
• NECC - National Education Computing Conference - San Diego, California - July 5-7, 2006
• "Armstrong" - Music from Monte Selby - an educator that sings about what we do each day (used with approval)
• KidCast Podcast by Dan Schmidt and the book KidCast by FTC Publishing - an awesome guide to doing podcasting in your classroom
• Colonial Williamsburg Podcast
• Colonial Williamsburg Historical TV Ads - very funny, must see
• National Geographic Lewis and Clark video "Great Journey West"
• Winston Churchill Museum in Fulton, Missouri

The Year of the Hangman Book Blog is Up and Running

I'm really excited to announce that The Year of the Hangman Book Blog has started and students will soon be particpating online. I spoke about the project in episode #13 of Speaking of History. I have handed out the 60 copies of the novel that I was able to purchase with a local grant and several of my students have also purchased the book. I have been contacted by teachers and students in Nebraska, New York, Conneticut and Minnesota about joining the discussion. I have also made contact with the author and Mr. Blackwood plans on adding his comments to the discussion.

I have posted instructions for the students on adding comments and listed the four questions we will use for week one of the project. We are reading the first five chapters of the book for week one discussion.

If you would like to join us please stop by at www.theyearofthehangman.blogspot.com and add a comment. If you know of any teachers that might want to join us please pass along the information or have them e-mail me at speakingofhistory@gmail.com

Podcast #15 - Example of a StudyCast for American History

Hello. Podcast #15 is an example of how I am using MP3 files as "StudyCasts" for my students. I have created a studycast for each of my unit tests so far this year and I have found them to be a huge success. At first I wasn't really sure how many students were listening to them but I am now convinced that this is an effective means of delivering content to them to help them review for a test. I have some data from an informal survey of my students on studycasts and MP3 players that I will use in an upcoming show. I have found that just me talking for 10-15 minutes is not the most exciting thing to listen to so I have added some background music to make it a little more interesting. The music I used in this studycast is from Faze and entitled "Mad Flava" from the Podsafe Music Network. Links are included on the shownotes. Let me know that you think by e-mailing me at speakingofhistory@gmail.com I would be interesting in learning about any other teachers using MP3 files as a way to review for tests and how it has worked with their students.

Direct link to Speaking of History Podcast #15 - Example of a StudyCast for American History - MP3 Format (10 minutes)

Show Notes:

• Mr. Langhorst's Podcast Page on Classroom Site
• Podsafe Music Network

Podcast #14 - Missouri Teaching With Cable Awards and Interviews

Hello. This episode of Speaking of History is the longest to date. Last month I was honored to recieve a Missouri Teaching With Cable Award from the Missouri Cable Telecommunication Association in Jefferson City. It was an amazing event and I was able to meet and visit many people invlolved with educational technology. The award banquet featured many distingued guests that work with education in the cable industry - including Cable in the Classroom, A & E Networks, Time Warner, Comcast, Charter Communications, Discovery Networks, etc. After dinner I was able to interview several of these individuals about upcoming projects for teachers. This episode also describes the Missouri Teaching With Cable Awards and I would encourage everyone to submit an application next year.

If you have a comment about this episode you can e-mail me at speakingofhistory@gmail.com or leave a comment on the bottom of this entry.

Direct link to Speaking of History Podcast #14 - "Missouri Teaching With Cable Awards and Interviews" - MP3 Format (38 minutes)

Show Notes:

• Missouri Teaching With Cable Awards
• Video from Award Banquet - produced by Time Warner Kansas City
• Missouri Cable Telecommunications Association
• Cable in the Classroom
• Windward - an Online Interactive Game by Cable in the Classroom
• Helen L. Headrick - Queen of All Saints School - St. Louis, Missouri
• Eric Langhorst - South Valley Junior High School - Liberty, Missouri
• Stephanie Long - Pleasant View Middle School - Springfield, Missouri
• Angel Taylor - St. Charles Borromeo - St. Charles, Missouri
• A & E Networks Idea Book
• Article on the Upcoming History Channel Production: "10 Days that Unexpectedly Changed America"
• Discovery Networks
• Discovery Educator Network

Podcast #13 - Join Our Class in Reading "The Year of the Hangman"

Hello. The topic of this episode of Speaking of History is reading in the junior high American History Classroom. We will discuss an online reading blog, graphic novels and SSR.

As part of a grant from the Liberty School District Foundation, I purchased 60 copies of The Year of the Hangman by Gary Blackwood. I will be giving these copies out to my students and we will be discussing the book in the form of an online blog starting on March 6, 2006. We are inviting you to be a part of the book blog. The book is available in paperback for $6. It is a great historical novel with a twist - it is an alternate history book. In this novel the British have defeated the colonists in the Revolutionary War. Ben Franklin and Thomas Jefferson are in exile in New Orleans trying to figure out how to break George Washington out of prision where he is awaiting execution. A 15 year old British boy - Creighton Brown - is caught up in the middle of spying and relationships. His actions could impact the fate of two nations. If you are interested in joining us please e-mail speakingofhistory@gmail.com for more information. It could be a single student who likes to read or an entire class. We would love to hear from you!

The second topic of the show is graphic novels and my discovery of an adaptation of the Red Badge of Courage by Wayne Vansant. The entire novel is written in graphic format - like comic book for lack of a better term. It looks awesome. Check out the link below for more information on this new twist on an old classic. Please let me know if you have used graphic novels in the classroom.

The final segment takes a look at SSR and how just 20 minutes of reading at the start of each day has transformed the culture of our building into one of reading and literacy - for both teachers and students.

Please e-mail comments and questions to speakingofhistory@gmail.com

Direct link to Speaking of History Podcast #13 - Join Our Class in Reading "The Year of the Hangman" - MP3 Format (14 minutes)

Show Notes:

• The Year of the Hangman by Gary Blackwood
• Review of the The Year of the Hangman
• Official site of author Gary Blackwood
• Liberty Public School Foundation Grant web site
• The Red Badge of Courage (Graphic Novel) adapted by Wayne Vansant
• The SSR Handbook by Janice L. Pilgreen
• Are They Really Reading - Expanding SSR in the Middle Grades by Jodi Crum Marshall
• Order Speaking of History Podcast items from Cafe Press

Speaking of History Podcast Coffee Mugs Now Available

I doubt many of you have been saying to yourself, "What I really need is a "Speaking of History Podcast" coffee mug, but just in case you have - here is your chance. Check out the online store at www.cafepress.com/sohpodcast

I have always been curious about the availablity of items with a custon logo through the Internet so I checked out CafePress and set up an account. I designed a logo for the podcast and within minutes had my store up and running with items that bear the show logo. You can purchase coffee mugs, t-shirts, mouse pads, magnets and a tile coaster with the logo. The store gives the storekeeper the option of charging more than the base price but I did not mark up any of the prices. I figure if you are willing to purchase an item to promote the show the least I can do is give it to you for the lowest possible price. The main reason I wanted to create some products with the show logo are to give away some items to friends and family as well as have a couple of items to give away at upcoming workshops where I am presenting information on my podcast. I also thought it might be cool to drink my morning coffee in an official Speaking of History Podcast mug.

Let me know what you think of the logo by dropping me an e-mail at speakingofhistory@gmail.com I'm working on the rought drafts of a couple new shows and hope to have a couple of new episodes posted this week. Thanks.

Podcast #12 - Interview With State Representative Tim Flook

This episode of Speaking of History is an interview with Tim Flook - the Representative from Missouri in the House of Representatives in Jefferson City. In the interview I ask questions about state government from the perspective of an 8th grade student. Tim discusses his experiences as an 8th grader in Liberty, the day he saw Ronald Reagan in person as an 8th grader and he began to develop an interest in politics, his committee assignments and the aspects of being a state representative that he enjoys the most and the least. Thanks to Tim for taking the time to visit with me. I hope to secure a similar interview with the mayor of Liberty later this spring. I think this type of podcast has great potential and I would like to have the students produce the show and do the interview in the future. Check out the show notes for some additional information.

I would be more than happy to answer any questions or listen to your comments. E-mail me at speakingofhistory@gmail.com

Direct link to Speaking of History Episode #12 - An Interview with State Representative Tim Flook - MP3 file (14 minutes)

Show Notes:

• Representative Tim Flook Web Page
• E-mail Tim Flook: tim.flook@house.mo.gov
• Tim Flook Biography
• Official Site for the Missouri State House of Representatives
• Listen to LIVE debate on the floor of the Missouri House or Senate
• State of Missouri's Official Web Page

Podcast #11 - The Discovery Educator Network Interview

Hello. Sorry for the long delay between podcasts. I also coach 8th grade boys basketball and we are currently still in season. Once the season is over in about 3 weeks I will probably be able to post more shows. Over the past month or so I have written down a ton of ideas - now I just need to make them come to life.

This podcast is a conversation I had with Linda Chiles - the Missouri/Kansas Field Manager for the Discovery Educator Network. If you haven't checked out DEN yet please go over and check it out. You may already know about what Discovery is doing in education through United Streaming. I have signed up to be a member of the Discovery Educator Network and would encourage you to sign up as well. If you are listening to a podcast this is definitely a network of teachers for you.

Linda came up to Liberty to visit with myself and Lance Huebner - another teacher at South Valley Jr. High who is a member of DEN. Lance and I have taught together for the past 5 years and work on many technology projects together. Linda will be presenting several sessions at our district's workshop in February and we sat down to visit about video editing, podcasting, what Discovery Education is working on for the future, teaching, family......... I sat down to ask her some questions about DEN and recorded it on my MP3 player for the podcast.

I also ask the audience for help on a future show. Please send me the best teaching resources you have found for FREE. I plan on putting together a show of the best free teacher resources. You can send them to me at speakingofhistory@gmail.com

Direct link to the Podcast #11 - The Discovery Educator Network Interview

Show Notes:

• Discovery Educator Network - Home
• discovery Educator Network - Blog
• Discovery Educator Network - Missouri / Kansas Blog by Linda Chiles
• United Streaming - bring digital video to your classroom on demand