My mind is just spinning! What cool stuff we got to see today at the Archives and "backstage" at the State Museum! I could have spent days in those rooms, just looking around and imagining the people who used those donated items.
I'm looking forward to a good night's sleep before trying to learn more tomorrow! I hope you all had a great time at dinner and the hotel. I'm looking forward to spending more time talking with you in the morning.
Monday, June 18, 2012
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Comparison of Hakim/Wood books
The topic I chose was the Boston Tea Party, since I had just taught it to my students. Wood's book gave a much more in-depth study of the situation surrounding it than the Hakim text had done. I learned why the East India company was given the right to be the sole tea-sellers in the Colonies and how that added to the Colonists' fear of England's rule.
I think that Hakim's book serves a different purpose than Wood's. Hakim's is more of an overview of important events and is designed to whet the appetite of reluctant or disinterested history students. Wood's book is not nearly as entertaining, but seems to provide a deeper look into the situations that surrounded the big events in the American Revolution.
I think that Hakim's book serves a different purpose than Wood's. Hakim's is more of an overview of important events and is designed to whet the appetite of reluctant or disinterested history students. Wood's book is not nearly as entertaining, but seems to provide a deeper look into the situations that surrounded the big events in the American Revolution.
Sunday, May 27, 2012
A History of Us - Joy Hakim
Where were the textbooks like this when I was a kid???? Joy Hakim isn't just jotting down cold dates and facts, but is telling a true story - which is what history is. One part of history leads directly into the next and I don't remember thinking that history books ever told a story. The three "firebrands" were pretty much losers before they did something great??? King George was likely a mental midget who became mentally ill as his reign went on? Who knew??? I read the chapter called, "A Taxing King," to my 4th graders and by the time they got to the Boston Tea Party, they were chomping at the bit to find out what it was and why it was called the BTP. These are the kids who asked me "Social Studies is boring; when do we do Science again?" a few months ago. They didn't even complain a little when I told them they were to become citizens of the Colonies in 1774 just before the First Continental Congress and write a letter to their delegate, stating their opinion, backed up with three solid reasons, why they should either vote to separate from England or remain part of England.
I think that some people are more analytical and likely to appreciate facts and dates. Others, like me, want to have the same facts and dates have some sort of emotional connection, a person we can cheer on or dislike. I think that Hakim does a fabulous job of reaching both types of learners. The little interesting factoids on the sides of the pages make it even more interesting to read.
They were so interested that they came up with their own questions about what the people looked like whose names we were hearing. We searched the LOC site to find more pictures from the time. (I only wish they had archived the newspapers from that time electronically!)
I will be using this book as a resource for my kids every year. This time period is exactly what we cover in 4th grade!
I think that some people are more analytical and likely to appreciate facts and dates. Others, like me, want to have the same facts and dates have some sort of emotional connection, a person we can cheer on or dislike. I think that Hakim does a fabulous job of reaching both types of learners. The little interesting factoids on the sides of the pages make it even more interesting to read.
They were so interested that they came up with their own questions about what the people looked like whose names we were hearing. We searched the LOC site to find more pictures from the time. (I only wish they had archived the newspapers from that time electronically!)
I will be using this book as a resource for my kids every year. This time period is exactly what we cover in 4th grade!
Sunday, April 22, 2012
Teaching for Historical Literacy
What a great article about teaching history as a living, breathing thing! I'm interested in finding a lot of picture and chapter books on a grade level of 3-5 so that I can use them with all my students!
I think the two articles use different terms but talk about many of the same things. History needs to be made real for all students, whether left- or right-brained. Using different types of activities, questions and sources will allow for all students to learn. I was very much impressed to see the metacognitive skills applied to learning history. We use those every day in Reading class and, speaking for myself, I'm getting comfortable enough with them to use them in the content areas, as well. We have a goal to get our kids answering open-ended questions (like they will see on the PSSAs and 4Sight) in all content areas. There have been workshops offered to help us to build good questions for each of the subject areas. What I have not done is to focus an entire history unit on using primary and secondary sources and completely immersing the students in the topic. I hope to be able to do that in the coming years.
If anyone knows of a resource out there that lists books (chapter and picture) for historical knowledge about the 13 Colonies and Pennsylvania history, which are also written for students age 8-11, I'd love to hear about it!
I think the two articles use different terms but talk about many of the same things. History needs to be made real for all students, whether left- or right-brained. Using different types of activities, questions and sources will allow for all students to learn. I was very much impressed to see the metacognitive skills applied to learning history. We use those every day in Reading class and, speaking for myself, I'm getting comfortable enough with them to use them in the content areas, as well. We have a goal to get our kids answering open-ended questions (like they will see on the PSSAs and 4Sight) in all content areas. There have been workshops offered to help us to build good questions for each of the subject areas. What I have not done is to focus an entire history unit on using primary and secondary sources and completely immersing the students in the topic. I hope to be able to do that in the coming years.
If anyone knows of a resource out there that lists books (chapter and picture) for historical knowledge about the 13 Colonies and Pennsylvania history, which are also written for students age 8-11, I'd love to hear about it!
Saturday, April 21, 2012
Right Brain/Left Brain
I took the test for Right Brain/Left Brain functioning and it came up with the score of 47% left and 53% right. After reading further about how the RB/LB people learn, I think that score is accurate for me. I like to learn by reading, but take notes for it in a logical, orderly fashion. Math is best learned by watching several of the same type of problem done and then trying it myself. However, hearing something in a song will make me remember it forever, and writing it creatively will cement it in my mind, as well.
After reading the other two sections I chose: Right Brain Learning and Left Brain Learning, I think I maybe intuitively provide for both types of learners in my classroom. I actually give my kids an Intelligence Inventory to start the year and it gives me a really good idea of what types of activities will help my kids learn best. For instance, we just finished a geometry unit in my 4th grade classroom. After learning all the different concepts and vocabulary, we put it all together in a picture made by using different geometric shapes. In addition, the students had to study their picture and write a paragraph "introducing" their figure to us and explaining how many angles, shapes, parallel lines, etc. were in it. The students truly enjoyed it, and I think that's because it brought together both types of learning - creative and analytical.
After reading the other two sections I chose: Right Brain Learning and Left Brain Learning, I think I maybe intuitively provide for both types of learners in my classroom. I actually give my kids an Intelligence Inventory to start the year and it gives me a really good idea of what types of activities will help my kids learn best. For instance, we just finished a geometry unit in my 4th grade classroom. After learning all the different concepts and vocabulary, we put it all together in a picture made by using different geometric shapes. In addition, the students had to study their picture and write a paragraph "introducing" their figure to us and explaining how many angles, shapes, parallel lines, etc. were in it. The students truly enjoyed it, and I think that's because it brought together both types of learning - creative and analytical.
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Historical Fiction
There is an amazing series of books that take the reader through the 1700s in various countries. The history is accurate, even though the characters are mostly fictional. They begin around 1745 in Scotland and follow the characters through the Revolutionary Period in the American Colonies. I'm dying for the 8th one to come out - which hopefully will be around this time next year. They start with a book called Outlander and are written by Diana Gabaldon. Has anyone else read them?
Thursday, April 5, 2012
What a Week!
Today is the first day of our Easter break from school and I don't know about your students, but mine were NUTS all week! Every 5 minutes, they were off-task and chatting again. I was very thankful that it was only 3 days long.
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