Massachusettes, Salem and More

I find that wearing costumes adds an extra dimension to a lesson. It is the ultimate in "interactive history". This is, in part, what I have begun to call "edutainment". We have to be able to hold the interest of the students somehow, long enough to teach them some skills and content. I have five costumes this year, up from three last year. I have added the Salem trial judge and I am currently constructing a costume that I will try to use to portray none other than Henry Clay or maybe Calhoun. I haven't decided which one I look more like. Neither one is too flattering. Well, "judge" for yourself about my first new costume. The book is a recommendation from my wife who has read much more extensively on Salem than I have.

Texas History - Cabeza de Vaca!!!!!

Brutal Journey is an excellent account of the ill-fated expedition led by Panfilo de Narvaez to Florida. I do highly recommend this volume to Texas History teachers. It is a gripping well written narrative that is easily accesible by general interest readers. This book will give a new dimension to your instruction of the Spanish exploration of what is now Texas. I learned so much about Indian cultures, particularly from the eyes of despearate Spaniard, Cabeza de Vaca.

To further your understanding and have something to wow your students, the Texas State University Library has an on-line version of de Vaca's La Relacion. It can be accessed at www.library.txstate.edu/swwc/cdv/ . The original is displayed on one side and a readable English translation on the other. Each chapter can be viewed, read and used. Simply wonderful!!!

I plan to post other great discoveries weekly!!! Keep coming back!!!

Mock Constitutional Convention 2007

The Youth Leadership Initiative, sponsored by the University of Virginia Center for Politics, is hosting a 2007 Mock Constitutional Convention from October 1-12. They have several lesson plans and other materials posted to their website. Students can vote on-line. This is a great Constitution Day activity for our district. Check out the website and the other programs that are offered!!!! www.youthleadership.net

Classroom Materials Part I

I have placed two links on the blog to Teaching Tolerance funded by the Southern Poverty Law Center and the United States Government Printing Office. The tolerance materials are free and very useful. There is a set of posters with quotes by famous figures and artwork from young people promoting tolerance. They also provide an annual publication on tolerance in schools as well as provide instructional units on Rosa Parks, the civil rights struggle, the Childern's March among others. This is an invaluable resource I encourage you to check out.

The GPO has many inexpensive publications from which to choose. It may take a little time to navigate and find what you want but the time is well spent as well as the pittance that they ask for the materials. I urge you to take your time and really look through this site for the gems that I know are there.

There is a great blog posted by a social studies teacher in Missouri. Erik Langhorst from South Valley JHS in Liberty, Missouri, has some great links and ideas, several of which I have stolen and used. His ideas on the use of technology in the classroom are innovative. I have decided to start podcasting and more closely intregrate Unitedstreaming in my instruction, perhaps by using Microsoft Producer, starting this blog for our school and proceeding with my MS Photostory projects. I have also become a STAR Discovery Educator!!! I have listed Langhorst's blog address below. Check

it out!!!!

http://www.speakingofhistory.blogspot.com/

First Summer Reading Accomplished!!!

After finishing the Guests of the Ayatollah I can say this book peaked my interest in the ineptitude of American foreign policy in the Middle East. The epilouge was a clear ending to a well-written account of the this historic epidsode in the failure of U.S. foreign policy.
Reading this account also raised my awareness of current events in Tehran as well as comments by presidential candidates such as Ron Paul. An excellent summer read for those with some political as well as historical interest.