Bringing history to life by leaving classrooms & textbooks behind

For many of us history class meant memorizing people (usually white guys) and places (usually unknown) to be plotted on a timeline and forgotten about as soon as the obligatory data we stuffed into our brain was dumped out and onto a test never to be remembered again.

Fortunately, innovative educators are finding a way to change that for today’s youth with programs like the Lowell Milken Center’s "Celebrating Unsung Heroes Who Changed the World." 4th grade teacher Shannon Garrison helped make history meaningful for her students by learning about unsung historical hero, Ralph Lazo. Shannon worked with students and teachers across grades to produce a performance about teenager Ralph Lazo's powerful act of courage to voluntarily join his friends as a resident of the internment camp at Manzanar during WWII.

These students aren’t learning about the heros we read about in textbooks. They are learning history by studying unsung heroes, just like those that might exist in their schools or communites or today. They are discovering who they were through investigation of primary sources such as letters and, in this case, an oral history interview with a man who was in the Japanese internment camps with Ralph Lazo. Students are also given the opportunity to get out of the classroom and school and visit historical sites and museums. This gives learning a personal touch and provides knowledge through seeing real artifacts and meeting real people that provide context to students who can now make meaning of their learning.  

In Ms. Garrison’s case, the children also performed what they learned which helps internalize their newly discovered knowledge.  You can learn about the project in the following video.

The center, named and founded by education philanthropist Lowell Milken has worked with thousands of schools and hundreds of thousands of students around the world. The Center provides assistance and support to schools free of charge. Sound like the way you may want to teach history next year? Visit http://lowellmilkencenter.org/contact.taf to get involved.

You have read this article history / social studies / Social Studies lessons with the title social studies. You can bookmark this page URL https://machining33.blogspot.com/2012/06/bringing-history-to-life-by-leaving.html. Thanks!

Osama bin Laden Dead. GoGo News - A site to help talk about those difficult current events.

GoGoNews.com is a free online news resource for children which features daily news for school children ages 7 to 13 years old.  The site provides a resource for times when we’re caught in that difficult situation when children catch a glimpse of a graphic news story on TV or sees the front page of a national newspaper with a graphic, sometimes violent photo. The questions almost immediately start peppering conversation: What is that? Who is that? What happened?

The good news is that GoGoNews is a great resource to help navigate these unchartered waters. The site offers a place for kids to learn about current events, but it does so in a way that insulates their minds by filtering the content just enough to keep them safely informed.

GoGoNews founder Golnar Khosrowshahi shares the three pieces of advice that inform the GoGo approach when discussing difficult content.  
 

Three tips for sharing adult news with children

1. Tell the Truth:
   For example, when Osama Bin Laden was captured and killed, GoGoNews editors summarized the news coverage and gave an overview of the current situation in a way kids could understand.  Often, such as the recent coverage about the earthquake in Japan, the articles also provide key terms and expand on their meaning (such as earthquake, tsunami, epicenter and nuclear reactor, etc.).  By explaining these different elements, the news is educational and touches upon a variety of topics, including social studies, science, government, arts and culture, and history. 
2. Have a Discussion:
   Once kids are aware of the news, parents and teachers can talk about what happened with children and ask follow up questions to spark a discussion. Following the canceled space shuttle “Endeavour” launch, for example:
   -What else do you know about space and the solar system?
   -Why do we have a space program and what do we learn from space exploration?
   -Who are astronauts?
3. Explore Emotions:
   Rather than ignore devastating headlines and attempt to keep children naïve to harsh realities, parents and teachers should encourage children to share their emotions sparked by news stories:
   -How do you feel about what you just read?
   -Share stories of hope, such as how families overcome adversity, Good Samaritan acts, examples of community action to help provide assistance to those in need.
   -Offer examples to teach empathy and compassion by encouraging your child to get involved.

Khosrowshahi’s mission for GoGoNews is noble: “I think that the next generation of leaders will be those who have grown up connected to the world around them intellectually, academically and socially. By discussing global current events, we are creating the opportunity for children to improve their literacy, gain a new vocabulary and learn about different people, countries, and cultures in a fun and entertaining format. As parents and educators, we want our children to grow up and be educated in a global context; to think of countries near and far as their neighbors who do things just a little differently.”

Using online news sites such as GoGoNews at home and in the classroom is a good way to provide children with general knowledge as well as a consciousness and awareness of the world, regardless of geography or culture. Having a free resource that provides subject matter to start a conversation with children and a safe means by which to deal with the world’s current events is certainly a great start. 

You have read this article osama bin laden lessons / social studies with the title social studies. You can bookmark this page URL https://machining33.blogspot.com/2011/05/osama-bin-laden-dead-gogo-news-site-to.html. Thanks!

Ideas for Active Viewing by Students While Watching the Inauguration

I’ve posted a variety of Inauguration lessons and ideas for innovative educators to use with their students, but what about on the actual day of the Inauguration? Innovative educators know that when Inauguration day comes you don’t want to have your students passively watching this historic event. Active, engaged, focused viewing is the key. To that end, I’ve come up with a few ideas to ensure we are engaging students and stimulating their minds with active viewing activities. Here they are.

Student Reporters

Put together a post-inaugural newspaper, or blog at your school with reports from students. Work with students, groups, or classes, to determine various angles to cover i.e. the weather, the children, the balls, the fashion. Have them do research in advance and while they are watching the inauguration have them take notes for their stories. Following the inauguration have students discuss their pieces and publish their work.

Resource: Writing: Newspaper Articles

Call to Service

Barack Obama has launched a national organizing effort on the eve of their Inauguration to engage Americans in service. This national day of service will fall on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, January 19, 2009 and, unlike past calls to service, President-elect Obama is calling on all Americans to do more than just offer a single day of service to their cities, towns and neighborhoods. He is asking all of us to make an ongoing commitment to our communities. When watching the inauguration, have your students think, “What is one thing that the president speaks about on which you think you can have an impact? How might you accomplish this?”

Resource: http://usaservice.org - This website is designed to help Americans make their commitments to service, build communities, find opportunities to serve and share their results. These can be events that engage people in direct service, or bring people together to determine how they can commit to becoming more engaged citizens.

Four-Column Chart

Use this four column chart for a more open viewing experience. Prior to watching the event share this chart with your students. At the top of each column have students brainstorm unique headings for what they’ll be looking for when they view the event i.e. favorite quotes, people I recognize, what surprised me, what am I excited about, what people are wearing, etc. Once students are viewing the inauguration have them fill in their charts. Following the event have students discuss what they found and write an overview of their findings from the one column they found most interesting. For educators in technology-rich schools, consider posting this on a blog or wiki.

Resource: You can download a Four-Column Chart here.

Timeline of Events

As students are watching the event have them record the timeline of events. What occurred and when? What is the significance of each? On the top of the chart they can write the event. Underneath they can summarize their reflection on the event. Prior to the Inauguration you can have students practice this activity by doing this watching another Inaugural speech. After the event you can have students compare and contrast the timelines and note the significance of differences and similiarities.

Resources: You can download a Time Line Chart here or a Time-Order Chart here.

HotChalk is providing 25 FREE high-quality video clips on U.S. inaugural addresses. Check them out here.

Text Reporter

You can Text HISTORY to 56333 for the Latest Inauguration Info. As part the Presidential Inauguration Committee’s commitment to hosting the most open and accessible inauguration in history, they are offering a variety of resources via SMS text message to keep people in the know about inaugural activities. Assign a student or student groups to follow the inauguration and keep their school up-to-date using text messaging.

Resources: Text HISTORY to 56333 today or sign up for text message updates on our website. Also, be sure to take a look at the following options, for more about event updates, scheduling changes, preparation tips, weather reports, DC transportation, and President-elect Obama’s Renew America Together initiative.

• Text SCHDL to 56333 for latest updates and breaking announcements and any schedule changes.

• Text TIPS to 56333 for information on how to prepare for Inauguration

Estimate the Cost

How much do you think the Inauguration costs? There are salaries to secure the president, sanitation, food, general security, inaugural ball. Think of ongoing costs verses costs for this event.

Resource: Do a Google search for “Presidential Inauguration Cost.”

KWL Chart

Have students identify what they know, what they want to know and what they have learned about the Inauguration and President Obama.

Resource: You can download a KWL Chart here.

Thought Provoking Questions

The presidential inaugural committee produced the following questions to have students reflect on when watching the inauguration.

· "What vision does President Obama have for public education?"

· "What does he say divides us as a country and how does he want to unify and strengthen America?"

· "How will President Obama make our country more secure?"

· "What does President Obama ask Americans to do to help strengthen the country?"

You may want to have chart paper or sentence strips posted around the room with this questions. Students can have post its where they record the answers and place them on the walls with their reflections.

You have read this article Inauguration 2009 Lessons / inauguration activities for students / inauguration classroom activities / inauguration lesson plans / inauguration lessons / social studies / technology with the title social studies. You can bookmark this page URL https://machining33.blogspot.com/2009/01/ideas-for-active-viewing-by-students.html. Thanks!

Inauguration Day Activities Across the Grades and Content Areas from the NYC DOE

The New York City Department of Education has put together a fantastic 18-page compilation of activities and resources you can use on Inauguration Day (January 20) by clicking on the brochure cover.

The guide is divided by grade level (elementary, middle, high school) and into the areas of social studies, ELA, art, and technology. The guide was created to support teachers in challenging students to think creatively about what this historic day means for their future and the future of our country. The resource bank includes a full schedule of Inauguration Weekend and Inauguration Day activities.

Activity highlights include:

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL ACTIVITIES

If I were Malia or Sasha Obama…

Subject/Skill: ELA, Social Studies—journal activity

Activity Summary: Malia Obama told her dad that she plans on sitting at the desk of President Abraham Lincoln when she does her homework! Imagine how your life would be different if you lived at the White House. What might you like about living in the White House, and what might you dislike? If you were Malia, 10, or Sasha Obama, 7, and could give a speech about how to improve children's lives, what are three ideas you would include?

Dear President Obama…

Subject/Skill: ELA, Social Studies

Activity Summary: Write a letter to the new president either as a class or individually. In your letter, include the goals you would like to see President Obama achieve and your best wishes to the president and his family. You can mail your letters to the White House at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, DC 20500.

Resources: For a more detailed lesson plan from Education World, follow this link. Also, visit the White House official contact information page.

MIDDLE SCHOOL ACTIVITIES

Inaugural Pennants

Subject/Skill: Social Studies, Arts

Activity Summary: Design a souvenir pennant for the 2009 inauguration. Study pennants designed for previous inaugurations. What symbols will you use that reflect what President Obama’s presidency will bring?

Resources: Examples of souvenir pennants from past inauguration events are available at the Education World site here.

Inaugural Discussions on Voki

Subject/Skill: Social Studies, ELA, Technology

Activity Summary: Encourage students to write and deliver an inaugural address or comment on President-elect Obama’s address using Voki. Students create avatars representing themselves and interact with other students in their school communities.

Resources: Voki enables students to express themselves on the web using a talking character. Students can customize their Voki to look like and/or take on the identity of many other types of human and nonhuman characters. Vokis can speak with the student’s own voice which is added via microphone, upload, or phone. Students can also choose to insert text and have the Voki use a variety of existing voices with more than a dozen different male and female accents to choose from. Once the student Voki’s are created, they can be inserted into a class blog, wiki, website, and more. From there the school community can comment on and discuss one another’s work and keep the conversation going.

HIGH SCHOOL ACTIVITIES

Exploring President Obama’s Cabinet

Subject/Skill: Social Studies

Activity Summary: President-elect Obama is convening one of the most diverse cabinets in United States history. Find more information about the cabinet members who have been selected. Why do you think they have been selected? What kinds of experience do they bring to their roles? Why do you think the new president has convened such a diverse cabinet? What might this say about his vision or leadership style? Why do you think that this is an important change? What other cabinet positions have been filled? How many members make up a president’s cabinet and what are their key responsibilities? Are there some cabinet positions that have more prominence or importance than others? Why? Find out about the importance of the president’s cabinet regarding the line of succession. If you could be Cabinet Secretary, which post would you choose and why? What would you set as your top priorities?

Resources: For the most up-to-date information regarding President-elect Obama’s cabinet appointments, please see the CBS News website here.

Inauguration Interview

Subject/Skill: ELA, Social Studies

Activity Summary: If you were able to interview President Obama for your school newspaper, what are the five most important questions you would ask? What do students at your school most want to know about President Obama?

Resources: A detailed lesson plan for this activity can be found at Education World.

For the full bank of activities visit

http://schools.nycenet.edu/offices/teachlearn/OCPD/Inauguration_2009_Classroom_Activity_Ideas.doc.

You have read this article art / ELA / Inauguration 2009 Lessons / inauguration activities for students / inauguration classroom activities / inauguration lesson plans / inauguration lessons / social studies / technology with the title social studies. You can bookmark this page URL https://machining33.blogspot.com/2009/01/inauguration-day-activities-across.html. Thanks!

Teachers Can Help Students Make Deeper and More Meaningful Digital Footprints with Photo Archiving

Who knew?
LIFE magazine and I are suffering from a similar issue. We both had thousands of unpublished lonely images never-to-be seen because they were sitting in dusty archives. Unlike the digital images we've been capturing over the past five or so years that we've been posting and sharing those photos we captured pre-digital have been neglected. Sadly, these images may never have the opportunity to experience the same glory as their digital counterparts.

But, now, I have just learned that LIFE magazine’s photos will have a shot at glory as shared during a recent announcement about the availability of never-before-seen images from the LIFE photo archive. This will bring offline images online as part of Google’s mission to organize all the world's information and make it universally accessible and useful. This collection of newly-digitized images includes photos and etchings produced and owned by LIFE dating all the way back to the 1750s. As captured in the story featured in the Official Google Blog the collection includes The Zapruder film of the Kennedy assassination; The Mansell Collection from London; Dahlstrom glass plates of New York and environs from the 1880s; and the entire works left to the collection from LIFE photographers. The images have been digitized so that everyone can easily experience these fascinating moments in time.

As I read this I thought, what about the rest of us who aren’t partnering with Google and want to digitally capture our moments in time? Are we destined to spend countless hours scanning every picture or digitally photographing them all? What about histories of museums, monuments, schools who are digital photo immigrants with images collected before the age of digital? Will their stories be left in forgotten archives due to this overwhelming task? I mean, LIFE only had a very small percentage of their images published pre-Google partnership. How can the rest of us people and places share our important images?

Answer

Welcome to ScanMyPhotos.com - your affordable digital photo imaging headquarters. Pay just $49.95 for up to 1,000 photo scans, or order the prepaid fill-the-box service for just $124.95. Your photographs are professionally scanned as 300 dpi JPEG files onto a DVD-R data disc. They also produce high quality scans from your 35mm slides, 35mm and APS negatives, and video to DVD transfer. Check out the photo scanning service page for more info.

Educational Implications

Innovative educators heads must be spinning with possibilities about what this could mean. For about $5 a student a teacher could work with his/her students to collect and digitize about 40 photos each from their family ancestry. A school could send in all their photo memorabilia and capture their digital history. And, of course, how about the idea of connecting student or school ancestry with historical events in the LIFE photo archive? Let the words straight from their site inspire you!

Welcome to the future home of LIFE.com, the most amazing collection of professional photography on the Web: 10 million photos from the legendary archives of LIFE magazine and thousands more added every day. Whatever you want to look at, whether it happened an hour ago, a century ago, or any time in between, you'll be able to find it here quickly, easily, and for free.

How fantastic is this? Students being able to connect their histories, their family histories, their school's history and more, to major historical events. What was happening the day you were born? Started school? The day your parents met or graduated high school? The possibilities Innovative educators have for helping their students create new, meaningful, and connected digital footprints have now become even more vast.

You have read this article digital footprint / Google / Google for Educators / Google in Education / social studies with the title social studies. You can bookmark this page URL https://machining33.blogspot.com/2008/11/teachers-can-help-students-make-deeper.html. Thanks!

Yearbook Yourself - Great Resource for Innovative History, Social Studies, and Writing Educators

I came across a site called Yearbook Yourself which allows you to take a photograph of yourself and see how your yearbook picture may have looked from the 1950s all the way to the year 2000. In addition to making the photo the site tells you a bit about the trends of the time. My friends/colleagues and I had a great time making albums of one another and posting them on Facebook. Our other friends and colleagues got a kick out of them too.

It was really cool to imagine myself as a high school senior in each of those eras. The 80s picture happened to look a lot like the big-haired photo I had of myself in my 1985 senior photo that I have, and laugh about today.

As an innovative educator the thought immediately came to mind that this would be a great way to launch an American History unit...letting students really place themselves as they were actually a character in history. I was also thinking that if the social studies/ history teacher and literacy/ writing teacher were working collaboratively this could turn into some interesting writing and projects. I'm sure there are many other great ideas other innovative educators can come up with as well.

Featured along the right of this page are photos of me in the 60s, 70s, 80s, then as a boy in the 90s.

Below you'll see some pictures of one of my colleagues and my director. Take a look, then hop on over to www.yearbookyourself.com and try it out. If you use this idea with your students, please share how it went!








Do you recognize any of them :PPP

You have read this article digital writing / Educating Innovatively / history / Literacy and Technology / social studies / www.yearbookyourself.com / yearbook with the title social studies. You can bookmark this page URL https://machining33.blogspot.com/2008/10/yearbook-yourself-great-resource-for.html. Thanks!