History 360°

Awareness Test

2008-03-24T06:59:00.003-04:00

http://www.dothetest.co.uk/

Christmas Truce, 1914

2007-12-24T11:15:00.001-05:00

The war in Europe was only four months old, yet it had already reached a savagery unknown until that time. After the initial success of the German army, the war became a desperate trench struggle with a very high casualty count. The promise of early success seemed like a far away dream. The snow and the cold of 1914 made things even worse, but as the darkness fell on Christmas Eve something happened that would never occur again.

Sir Edward Hulse, a 25-year-old lieutenant, wrote in his diary about this strange occurrence. "A scout named F. Marker went out and met a German Patrol and was given a glass of whisky and some cigars, and a message was sent back, saying that if we didn't fire at them they would not fire at us." That night, where the fighting only five days earlier had been fierce, suddenly just stopped.

The following morning, Christmas day, German soldiers walked towards the British lines while the British came out to greet their enemy. They exchanged souvenirs with each other and the British gave the German soldiers plum pudding as a Christmas greeting. Soon arrangements were made to bury the dead British soldiers whose bodies were lying in no man's land. The Germans brought the bodies over and prayers were exchanged.

The sprit of Christmas overcame the horror of war as peace broke out across the front. The Germans, who previously were viewed as demonized beasts by the British and French, almost always initiated it. This contact was followed by song. The Germans sang 'Die Wacht Am Rhein' and the British soldiers sang 'Christians Wake.' It was in many ways a miracle. Sapper J. Davey, a British soldier, wrote this in his diary. "Most peculiar Christmas I've ever spent and ever likely to. One could hardly believe the happenings." Hate, for a moment, disappeared along the Western front.

Another British soldier, Second Lt. Dougan Chater wrote, "About 10 o’clock this morning I was peeping over the parapet when I saw a German, waving his arms, and presently two of them got out of their trenches and came towards ours. We were just going to fire on them when we saw that they had no rifles so one of our men went out to meet them and in about two
minutes the ground between the two lines of trenches was swarming with men and officers of both sides, shaking hands and wishing each other a happy Christmas." This continued for nearly an hour before their superiors ordered the men back to their trenches.

The powers to be objected to this display of humanity by the common soldier. For a brief moment, their gesture ended a war that the leaders of both sides would continue to fight for nearly four more years. Millions more would die, indeed many of the men who greeted each other would perish, but their sprits live on in history as an example to all of us. We have
much more in common with each other than the differences that divide us. Peace is better than war. Understanding is more important than division. Love can overcome hate. Always question our leaders.

Happy Holidays!

Arlington National Cemetery at Christmas

2007-12-11T19:50:00.000-05:00

Rest easy, sleep well my brothers.
Know the line has held, your job is done.
Rest easy, sleep well.
Others have taken up where you fell, the line has held.
Peace, peace, and farewell...

You may be interested to know that these wreaths -- some 5,000 -- are donated by the Worcester Wreath Co. of Harrington, Maine . The owner, Merrill Worcester, not only provides the wreaths, but covers the trucking expense as well. He's done this since 1992. A wonderful guy. Also, most years, groups of Maine school kids combine an educational trip to DC with this event to help out. Making this even more remarkable is the fact that Harrington is in one the poorest parts of the state.

This was sent to me from Meg Lance :) via Kathleen L. Beers, RN. You hear too much about the bad things people do. Everyone should hear about this.

Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!

2007-12-04T01:15:00.000-05:00

Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me! is NPR's weekly hour-long quiz program. This podcast is worth adding to your subcription list in itunes!!

Each week you can test your knowledge against some of the best and brightest in the news and entertainment world while figuring out what's real news and what's made up. It takes more than a couple brain cells to make this show what it is... so let's give credit where credit's due.

Are You Smarter Than A Naturalized Citizen?

2007-11-26T20:48:00.001-05:00

A special thanks to Coach Menzie for sending this my way...

Gridiron Connections

2007-11-26T20:40:00.000-05:00

A Rivalry Born in Bloodshed Becomes Pivotal to the B.C.S.
By KEVIN BUTTERFIELD

Most great college sports rivalries emerge from memorable moments on the field, coaching feuds or recruiting battles, but the annual football game between the Kansas Jayhawks and the Missouri Tigers, to be played tomorrow night in Kansas City, Mo., with unusually high import, taps into a mutual animosity born of a flashpoint in American history.

Two programs not known for being football powers, Kansas (11-0, 7-0) and Missouri (10-1, 6-1) are vying for a berth in the Big 12 Conference title game next weekend and then a possible spot in the Bowl Championship Series title game. Kansas is No. 2 in the B.C.S. standings; Missouri is fourth.

But before there were football teams, there was hatred and bloodshed along the border between Missouri and Kansas. From 1854 until the beginning of the Civil War in 1861, “Bleeding Kansas” lay at the heart of the United States’ crisis over slavery. Nearly 200 people died in what was itself a civil war.

Many in Missouri, a slave state, were unwilling to allow the newly organized territory of Kansas to prohibit slavery without a fight. They crossed the border, first to vote, and then to sack, burn and kill to determine the fate of Kansas. In 1855, Missourians crossed the border in droves to vote in the first Kansas election, and 6,000 votes were somehow cast by a total voting population of 2,905 to elect a proslavery government. New Englanders opposed to slavery organized to send settlers, money and guns to the antislavery residents there. Amos Lawrence, a New England textile magnate whose name was given to the city where the University of Kansas now stands, helped ship hundreds of rifles to aid the fight against the “border ruffians” from Missouri and the proslavery settlers in Kansas.

It did not take long for violence to erupt. On May 21, 1856, parts of Lawrence were destroyed when Missourians marched on the town with five cannons in tow. A day later, Senator Charles Sumner of Massachusetts was beaten almost to death on the floor of the United States Senate by a Southern congressman upset by Sumner’s speech, “The Crime Against Kansas.” A week later, John Brown and several abolitionists hacked five proslavery Kansans to death with swords. The nation was watching, and it turned into outright war. Through much of the summer and fall of 1856, armies of Missourians and Kansans marched across eastern Kansas, meeting in battles like Black Jack and Osawatomie that captivated the nation. Dozens died in the fighting.

One of the great paradoxes of the Missouri-Kansas conflict was how little its outcome actually mattered. It was a local contest between rival factions whose victories and defeats mattered far less than the national propaganda war, a news media circus complete with heroes, villains and conspiracies. The image of “Bleeding Kansas” captivated a nation uneasy about its own future. It was an image that would help put Abraham Lincoln in the White House, and one that would help rally a nation to wage war. Relative peace was restored in Kansas by the beginning of 1857. But when the Civil War broke out in 1861, many in Kansas sought revenge, sending regiments into Missouri to plunder and to liberate slaves in the name of putting down the rebellion. The most notorious group called itself the Jayhawkers, a name echoed in Kansas’ mascot, a blue and red Jayhawk. The Confederate guerrilla William Quantrill responded by bringing a force from Missouri to destroy Lawrence in 1863, and more than 150 residents were killed. The animosity showed no signs of fading.

The next generation found other means of resolving any lingering bitterness. In 1891, about 3,000 people attended the first Missouri-Kansas football game, at Exposition Park in Kansas City. In 1896, the Missouri student John Burnham wrote in the university’s yearbook that “Missouri and Kansas are rivals in so many things that each would rather defeat the other than gain victories over all the rest of the world.”

This year, the winner may get both. Tomorrow’s victor could soon be the national champion.

Kevin Butterfield is a Ph.D. candidate in American history at Washington University in St. Louis.

Red Shirt Fridays

2007-11-22T12:59:00.000-05:00

This was passed on to me by a student in my APUSH class at Ballston Spa

Last week, while traveling to Chicago on business, I noticed a Marine sergeant traveling with a folded flag, but did not put two and two together. After we boarded our flight, I turned to the sergeant, who'd been invited to sit in First Class(across from me), and inquired if he was heading home.

No, he responded.

Heading out I asked?

No. I'm escorting a soldier home.

Going to pick him up?

No. He is with me right now. He was killed in Iraq , I'm taking him home to his family.

The realization of what he had been asked to do hit me like a punch to the gut. It was an honor for him. He told me that, although he didn't know the soldier, he had delivered the news of his passing to the soldier's family and felt as if he knew them after many conversations in so few days.

I turned back to him, extended my hand, and said, Thank you. Thank you for doing what you do so my family and I can do what we do.

Upon landing in Chicago the pilot stopped short of the gate and made the following announcement over the intercom.

'Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to note that we have had the honor of having Sergeant Steeley of the United States Marine Corps join us on this flight. He is escorting a fallen comrade back home to his family. I ask that you please remain in your seats when we open the forward door to allow Sergeant Steeley to deplane and receive his fellow soldier. We will then turn off the seat belt sign'

Without a sound, all went as requested. I noticed the sergeant saluting the casket as it was brought off the plane, and his action made me realize that I am proud to be an American.

So here's a public Thank You to our military Men and Women for what you do so we can live the way we do.

Red Fridays.

Very soon, you will see a great many people wearing Red every Friday. The reason? Americans who support our troops used to be called the 'silent majority.' We are no longer silent, and are voicing our love for God, country and home in record breaking numbers. We are not organized, boisterous or overbearing.

Many Americans, like you, me and all our friends, simply want to recognize that the vast majority of America supports our troops. Our idea of showing solidarity and support for our troops with dignity and respect starts this Friday -- and continues each and every Friday until the troops all come home, sending a deafening message that .. every red-blooded American who supports our men and women afar, will wear something red.

By word of mouth, press, TV -- let's make the United States on every Friday a sea of red much like a homecoming football game in the bleachers. If every one of us who loves this country will share this with acquaintances, coworkers, friends, and family, it will not be long before the USA is covered in RED and it will let our troops know the once 'silent' majority is on their side more than ever, certainly more than the media lets on.

The first thing a soldier says when asked 'What can we do to make things better for you?' is. 'We need your support and your prayers.' Let's get the word out and lead with class and dignity, by example, and wear something red every Friday.

History 360° Podcast #12 Back in the Saddle

2007-04-12T19:17:00.000-04:00

History 360° Podcast #12
4.11.2007
Direct Link (21.3 MB) 22 minutes

Segment #1 The APUSH Experience
CLASS WIKI AP Notebook 2006 Password - Ballston

CLASS BLOG: AP Articulations

RECENT ADDITIONS: http://www.slideshare.net/Jackson/

Segment #2 Sociology - The Human Zoo

CLASS WIKI: The Sociology Wiki Experiment

CLASS BLOG: The Human Zoo

YOUTUBE: Sociology Video Vault

Contact me if you are interested in the Sociology Resource handbook mentioned in the podcast

Segment #3 Teacher Toolbox - Reality Check

For the past thirteen years I have taught skills level US History in preparation for the NYS States Regents Exam in US History and Government. In that time I have had many talented students who put a lot of enegery and effort into all their assignments. However, I also had a large percentage of indifferent and apatheic students who would spend their year going through the motions. Several years ago I develop a thing I like to call the "reality" check. Every marking period I convert each students grade to a dollar amount and provide a coded list of year-to-date earnings in an attempt top show each student that education does pay!!!

Marking Period #3 Reality Check (PDF)

Intro background music "Communist Manifesto" by Michael Tash and closing music "LilMic" by Michael McDoughnah - both former students :)

Questions, Comments, Obeservations contact me at history360@gmail.com

A Critique of Pure Reason

2007-03-03T22:38:00.000-05:00

A must read - The relationships children have outside school shape their performance inside the school!!!! DAVID BROOKS: A Critique of Pure Reason

Historyteacher.net

2007-02-24T21:59:00.000-05:00

Historyteacher.net is a one of a kind website maintained by Ms. Susan M. Pojer from Horace Greeley High School in Chappaqua, NY. Teaching AP US History for the first time in my career, I have frequently utilized Ms. Pojer's resources. Recently, the site has been difficult to access or will unexpectedly fail to load. I thought this would be a good time to revisit the always effective WAYBACK machine.

If you are also a fan of Historyteacher.net and would like to enjoy uninterrupted access to this fantastic collection of resources go to Archive.org and type wwww.historyteacher.net in the Wayback Machine's browser. This will give you access to a majority of the resources Ms. Pojer has painstakingly incorporated into her site!!!

Enjoy

PBS - The Supreme Court

2007-01-10T17:27:00.000-05:00

Set your TiVo - January 31 and February 7, 2007 9 pm EST.

THE SUPREME COURT is a four-part documentary series exploring the role of the court throughout American history. From its modest beginnings in the earliest days of the republic to the landmark decision in Marbury v. Madison, and from establishment of the "separate but equal" doctrine in Plessy v. Ferguson to its reversal in Brown v. Board of Education, the Supreme Court has been integral to the course of events in America's history. THE SUPREME COURT, featuring exclusive interviews with Chief Justice John Roberts and retired Associate Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, tells the story of this most important of legal and political institutions from its inception to the present day.

The companion web site has great classroom ready resources.

Shop PBS: Supreme Court DVD set 79.99

History 360° Podcast #11 Interview with Fred Morsell

2006-12-31T12:00:00.000-05:00

History 360° Podcast #11 Interview with Fred Morsell
Direct Link (13.0) 15 minutes

Acclaimed across the United States for his portrayal of Frederick Douglass, Mr. Morsell recenty returned to Ballston Spa High School as part of our study of Slavery and Abolition in the US.

Fred Morsell began working on Frederick Douglass in the Fall of 1984, when a black clergyman friend asked him to help develop alternative programs for inner city youth which would help them to find a sense of self-respect and belief in themselves, as an antidote to the frustrations of drugs and hopelessness in which they were living. Fred read NARRATIVE OF THE LIFE OF FREDERICK DOUGLASS, AN AMERICAN SLAVE, Written by Himself. The book, in his words, "practically blew me away. It read like a screenplay, because Douglass' descriptions of the events of his life were so visually intense and dramatic. The images literally jumped off the page at me. I thought to myself, Wouldn't it be wonderful just to read Frederick Douglass' words to a group of nine or ten year kids, and see if they could become inspired to do with their lives what Mr. Douglass did with his?"

The twelve principles of success compiled by Fred Morsell from Frederick Douglass' life and writings are the basis for student discussion and scenario writing in the Douglass Scholars Program workshops. These principles are:
1. Understanding that the proper use of power is to help others.
2. Giving up something you want in order to help someone else.
3. Learning how to challenge and overcome doubt.
4. Understanding why and how to control the human ego.
5. Doing what is right and proper without delay, even if no one is looking.
6. Learning how to use knowledge and understanding wisely.
7. Overcoming indecisiveness by developing proper organizational skills.
8. Making gratitude a part of every thought and action.
9. Practicing the skill of listening before making judgements.
10. Remaining true to your word.
11. Practicing the art of giving without expecting something in return.
12. Recognizing that success is as much a motivation to others as to you.

Link to Mr. Morsells' Bio

http://www.frederickdouglass.org/

Washington Post Article Jan 1994

Talking History Show on Frederick Douglass

Merry Christmas, 1914

2006-12-24T10:36:00.000-05:00

On Newstands Now

2006-12-04T21:39:00.000-05:00

In my U.S. History class we are studying the Antebellum south and the growing sectional tensions that lead to the Civil War. In one of the many vauable after school conversations that perculate in the social studies office at Ballston Spa Mark Trzaskos told the roundtable about the latested editions of The Atlantic and US News and World Report which both feature Abraham Lincoln on their cover.

The Atlantic features the 100 most influential Americans of all time in their December - They Made America Here is a excerpt:

Who are the most influential figures in American history? The Atlantic recently asked ten eminent historians. The result was The Atlantic’s Top 100—and some insight into the nature of influence and the contingency of history. Was Walt Disney really more influential than Elizabeth Cady Stanton? Benjamin Spock than Richard Nixon? Elvis Presley than Lewis and Clark? John D. Rockefeller than Bill Gates? Babe Ruth than Frank Lloyd Wright? Let the debates begin.
by Ross Douthat

The US News story Lincoln at Gettysburg - A New Look at America's Greatest Speech Gettysburg's Good News Schoolkids learn Lincoln's words at the scene of the epic battle by heart. But what did they really mean? By Gabor Boritt

The meaning of the Gettysburg Address has changed, generation after generation. It has become one of the most revered texts, even as historians and public figures have puzzled over its meaning. In a new book, The Gettysburg Gospel, Gabor Boritt, director of the Civil War Institute at Gettysburg College, takes a fresh look at the 272 words written by President Abraham Lincoln, probably in a 36-hour period, partly in Washington, partly at the scene of the battle, the greatest man-made disaster in American history. The word "gospel" suggests spiritual rebirth. When Lincoln's words are best understood, they bring that potential to Americans, indeed to people everywhere.

Thanks for sharing such a great resource Mr.T.

Mr. V - MS Tech Podfather

2006-12-01T19:36:00.000-05:00

Congratulations to Dan Vickery, Technology Education teacher at the Ballston Spa Middle School, who recently recently published his first blog and podcast. Stop by for a look and listen tour of the tech-Knowledge-ist

Mr.V's Blog

Mr. V's Podcast Host

Mr. V's Wiki (comming soon)

Nice Work Dan!!!

Free Hugs - Priceless

2006-11-29T20:34:00.000-05:00

A simple gesture goes global thanks to the internet. Enjoy

Links:
Free Hugs Campaign (Wikipedia)
The Free Hugs Movement - Juan Mann

History 360° Podcast #10 - Ballston's Podcast Academy

2006-11-16T12:23:00.000-05:00

History 360° Podcast #10
11.21.2006
Direct Link (13.5) 14.04

Ballston's Podcast Academy- Class of '06
Front row (L-R) Deb Valder, Allison Jones, and Teaching Assistant Claudia Garrison - Back Row (L-R) Dan Vickery, John Deguardia, Catrinia Kohl, Laurel Holland, Aggie O'Brien, Peter Mody and Trish Halpin

Segment #1 On November 16, 2006 thirteen faculty members completed their second workshop on Podcasting. Listed below are the topics we covered:

Introduction to Podcasting - how a podcast works, how to listen/subscribe to podcasts, the benefits/uses of podcasts, and an overview of technology necessary to launch your own podcast.

Podcast Academy This workshop will take participants through the steps required to produce their own podcast. Topics covered include: recording and editing audio files, packaging audio content into MP3 format, creating a free web based file host, creating RSS and XML feeds, and promoting your podcast. Prerequisite: a basic understanding of Web 2.0 tools (wikis, blogs, and podcast technology).

Segment #2Academy Interviews -Dan Vickery, Catrinia Kohl, John Deguardi, Peter Mody, and laudia Garrison. Peter Mody's blog : the Sometimes Daily Mody Blog Peter Mody's Podcast: The Modcast

Segment #3 Solution Watch http://www.solutionwatch.com/
Solution Watch surveys the new generation of the web, reviewing and providing in-depth walkthroughs of today’s best products and services. Owned and maintained by Brian Benzinger, Solution Watch has grown and become a member of the 9rules Network and Web 2.0 Workgroup. Solution Watch aims for writing quality reviews of products and services that are of benefit to its users. Check it out!!

Segment #4 Jakes OnLine:http://www.jakesonline.org/ This site is dedicated to using the tools of the digital age to advance pedagogical practice and student learning. You can explore the Communication, Collaboration and Collection sections of this site to access 21st Century ideas, tools, and resources. Mr. Jake's also maintain two blogs worth adding to tour bloglines account The Strenght of Weak Ties http://jakespeak.blogspot.com/ and The Competitive Voice

Questions, Comments, or Observations please fire off an e-mail at history360@gmail.com

History 360° Podcast #9 - Veteran's Day

2006-11-11T19:11:00.000-05:00

History 360° Podcast #9 - 11-11-2006
Direct Link 28.9MB (30:05)

Houston James of Dallas, embraces Staff Sgt. Mark Graunke Jr. during a Veterans Day commemoration in Dallas.

Segment #1 Shane Kielion died not knowing that his child had been born just hours before. April Kielion, the Marine's widow and high school sweetheart, gave birth to a boy in Omaha Nov. 15 2004, the same day Kielion died.

Segment #2 In Remembrance - Honoring American service members lost in Afghanistan and IraqServicemen from the Capital Region of NY State KIA

Segment #3 Iraq Coalition Casualty Count
Robbins, Thomas D. (Schenectady) Sergeant 09-Feb-2004
Brown, Nathan P. (South Glens Falls) Private 1st Class 11-Apr-2004
Fisher, David M. (Watervliet) Specialist 01-Dec-2004
Sacco, Dominic J. (Albany) Sergeant 20-Nov-2005
Moshier, Timothy J. (Albany) Captain 01-Apr-2006

Segment #4 The Ballston Legacy Project Audio Archives - Easy Company My Life In The United States Marine Corps During World War Two by Robert F. Graf
TIMES UNION ARTICLE on ROBERT GRAF July 24th 1989

Segment #5 Veterans Related Projects

The Veterans History Project - Library of Congress

The Ballston Veterans Project (2003)

Hudson Falls CSD The World War II Living History Project
Contact Mr. Matthew Rozell at marozell@hfcsd.org or at 518-747-2121.

Please feel free to e-mail me with questions, comments or observations at history360@gmail.com

Ken Comstock, Ballston Spa HS Class of 1999

2006-11-10T19:11:00.000-05:00

Purple Heart recipient Sergeant Ken Comstock, a 1999 Ballston Spa graduate, carried the state flag at the dedication ceremony Friday in New Windsor, Orange County. Comstock was severely injured in a bomb attack in Iraq in 2004. (Skip Dickstein / Times Union)

Red blood, Purple Heart by Dennis Yusko
3,000 gather at opening of museum to honor veterans who won medal

View past articles on Ken's injuries and recovery from the
Saratogian.com

Podcast #8 November Teacher Toolbox

2006-11-08T16:30:00.000-05:00

History 360° Podcast #8 - November Teacher Toolbox
Direct Link 19 MB (19:47)

Segment #1 Cool Video Resources

Video Clip: Frank McCourt on Teaching 67.8 MB (NBC's Today Show)
Link to blog post on Frank McCourt

Video Clip: When I Become a Teacher 7.37 MB Apple Teacher Institute
Link to blog post on Marco Torres

Segment #2 Teacher Toolbox - Rubrics
a. Participation Rubric (100 Points) PDF
b. Citizenship Rubric (100 Points) PDF
c. Quiz/Test/Essay Make-up Master PDF

Make your own rubrics: http://www.teach-nology.com/
Much of the language for the above rubrics originated the the Teachnology website)

Segment #3 Update on Goals - Student Created Podcast
The debut of AP History360 Podcast #1 - Direct Link 19.6 MB (20 minutes)
http://aphistory360.blogspot.com/ created by students in my AP US History class

History 360° Podcast #7 - Implementing Web 2.0 tools

2006-10-08T12:33:00.000-04:00

History 360° Podcast #7 10.13.2006
Direct Link (18:55) 17. MB

Segment #1 The Strenght of Weak Ties The Fischbowl a model staff development blog for Arapahoe High School teachers exploring constructivism and 21st century learning skills.

Video Resources:
#1 Did You Know? - Edited version of Karl Fisch's slide show
#2 Education Today - A funky variation of Mr. Fisch's show
#3 Analog Schools - located in Karl's blog www.thefischbowl.blogspot.com

Segment #2 Implement Web 2.o tools in my classroom
Defintion of Web 2.0 from Wikipedia
Al Gore's internet?

AP Notebook Wiki -Password access included in show
Talking History Podcast http://talkinghistory.oah.org/
The History Channel's This Day in History

AP Articlulations - Modeled after Ms. Crosby in Colorado The Devil's Advocate

Blogger Contract- Modeled after David Warlick's suggestions in Classroom Blogging: A Teacher's Guide to the Blogosphere

Edutopia Magazine Great Resources!!!

Segment #3 Goals 2006 Update: "You are judged by your actions, not your words"

Goal#2. Lead a workshop/In -service on Podcasting District level and with the CDCSS
Podcast workshop links and Podcast Workshop wiki (password: podcast)
Potential Workshops via WSWHEBOCES

Goal #5 Implement at least ONE student centered wiki based project - Collaborative DBQ can be found in our class wiki apnotebook2006

Remembering 9/11

2006-09-09T20:57:00.000-04:00

The following video was created in the spring of 2002 as part of our Sociology final portfolio project at Ballston Spa High School. I have been using it in class to reflect and discuss the yearly anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

If you would like to see out internet archive of the Final Portfolio videos visit our Video Vault at: http://www.sociologyvideovault.blogspot.com

History 360° Podcast #6 - Updates

2006-09-02T23:31:00.000-04:00

History 360° Podcast #6 9.2.2006
Direct Link (13:51)

Segment #1 Man on the Street Interviews (23.1 MB) video clip
PDF copy of Citizenship Test

Segment #2 Updates Audio Archives Podcast Project
Archive.org's Way Back Machine's http://www.archive.org/index.php
Archive.org Link to Times Union Celebrate the Century 2000
Reference to Freihofer Baking Company

Segment #3 Goals for 2006-2007
1. Get Legacy Project off the ground -using John W. Taylor as Showcase (Blog and Web Page)
2. Lead a workshop/In -service on Podcasting District level and with the CDCSS
3. Lead the production of several student podcast
4. Implement at least ONE teacher centered wiki based project
5. Implement at least ONE student centered wiki based project

Worth a Second Look

2006-08-25T22:24:00.000-04:00

Originally posted Sunday, January 22, 2006 and definately worth a second look as we prep for the new school year.

I spent some time this morning enjoying some caffeine and blog hopping through several teacher blogs. I ventured into The Open Classroom a blog maintained by Jo McCleay an educator from Melbourne, Australia. Two observations:First and foremost, I am in awe of the number of educators who take the time and effort to publish their observations, frustrations, and pontifications to a growing of audience of teachers around the world. Secondly, I wish more teachers new to the profession would take advantage of the "reservoir of wisdom" to counteract some of the infectious lunch room negativity that can consumes teachers young and old.

Jo included thoughts from Bernard Percy found in the June 2002 edition of Converge. I thought were worth passing on. Simply stated ...

WHAT MAKES A GREAT TEACHER?
1. They have high standards and expectations that they won't compromise.
2. They dare to dream of truly making a difference in their students' lives.
3. They're the "restless" individuals, innovative thinkers. They don't want to adapt or conform to the world around them, when that world has limited expectations of what a teacher can do or achieve.
4. They challenge students to think differently, innovatively, and not merely adjust to their environment.
5. They're comfortable in a space with motion, action and innovative thinking.
6. They help students find their true purposes; develop their unique, special talents; and ensure they develop certainty in their ability to overcome obstacles and achieve their dreams.
7. They create space for students to find and develop belief in their own potential.
8. They create special, positive moments where a student has a realization or experience that positively affects his or her life, forever.
9. They seek the real barriers that prevent students from learning, i.e., helping students learn the skills, gain the knowledge, and develop their abilities to be problem solvers.
10. They never see the child only as a statistic or number, but as worthy of the recognition of his or her own individuality.
11. They strive to put and keep the joy in learning.
12. They're willing to find the magic residing in each child.
13. They're dream makers, not dream breakers.

Jo's blog has all the things I am looking for as I bloghop. Insightful content, valuable links, and sources of inspiration. Nicely done Jo!

Teachers need encouragement, too

2006-08-08T16:40:00.000-04:00

A recent article by Dr. Dorothy Rich in the Albany Times Union led me to her orgnaization's website: http://www.megaskillshsi.org. There are some quality resources for new teachers or seasoned vets looking to start the school year with some inspiration.

Article #1 Teachers need encouragement, too
Article #2 In Defense of Teachers
Article #3 The Teaching Life: How Hard and Good It Is

Dorothy Rich is founder and president of the nonprofit Home and School Institute, MegaSkills Education Center in Washington. http://www.megaskillshsi.org/

History 360° Podcast #5 - Hall of Honor 2006

2006-08-02T15:49:00.000-04:00

History 360° Podcast #5 8.2.2006
Direct Link (12:22) 11.9 MB

Segment #1 The HistoryShack's Hall of Honor Induction July 26, 2006
Photos from Hall Ceremony

Segment #2 The Art of Appreciation

Segment #3 NPR's Story Corps - Since 2003, thousands have taken part in the StoryCorps oral history project, describing their lives and history.

Switch Audio Converter http://www.nch.com.au/switch/

History 360° Podcast #4 - Lesson Ideas for 07

2006-07-30T08:31:00.000-04:00

History 360° Podcast #4 7.30.2006
Direct Link (15:48) 15.2 MB

Segment #1 Cerebral Gymnastics with Malcom Gladwell www.gladwell.com

The Tipping Point: How Little Things Make a Big Difference" and "Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking

Brain Candy - Is pop culture dumbing us down or smartening us up (May 16, 2006) Everything Bad Is Good for You (Riverhead; $23.95), Steven Johnson

Segment #2 Cleveland Rocks
Music in the Class http://www.rockhall.com/
Lesson Plans http://www.rockhall.com/programs/plans.asp

Some great examples:
Lesson 9: Using Rock to Teach Literary Devices: Jimi Hendrix "The Wind Cries Mary"
Lesson 63: Teaching Economics with Rock and Roll: Unemployment
Lesson 55: The Melting of the Cold War
Lesson 39: Society's Child: A Look at Human Relations Yesterday and Today

Segment #3 Accessible Audio Archives Podcast Project
Times Union: http://www.timesunion.com/specialreports/depression/

Questions, Comments, or Observations?
E-mail me at history360@gmail.com

The Archives: Making History Podcasts #1-3 Spring 2006Podcast #1 of Making History ;Podcast #2 of Making History ;Podcast #3 of Making History

History 360° Podcast #3- Resources for your Teacher Toolbox

2006-07-17T15:23:00.000-04:00

History 360° Podcast #3 7.17.2006
Direct Link (12:07) 11.6MB

Segment #1 NY Times Learning http://www.nytimes.com/learning/
Casting a Wide Net Article and Lesson Plan
Students and Teachers, From K to 12, Hit the Podcasts By Jeffery Selingo

Segment #2 Inflation calculator and Greg Feldmeth web support for Advanced Placement U.S. History course offered at Polytechnic School in Pasadena, California.
How much is a 1850 bounty on Harriet Tubman worth in 2005 dollars?

If a train ticket from Omaha to Sacramento in 1870 costs $40.00, what would it cost in 2002 dollars?

What would $400.00 worth of war bonds be worth in 2005?

Segment #3 Tech Teacher Podcast Brad Niessen's Instructional Technology Specialist (ITS) and a Technology Rich Classrooms Trainer for the largest school district in the state of Kansas.
Listen to The TechTeacher Podcast to get the latest in educational technology trends, news, and professional development.

Segment #4 Summer Goal #1 Complete Regents Rewind Podcast Episodes

Questions, Comments, or Observations?E-mail me at history360@gmail.com

The Archives: Making History Podcasts #1-3 Spring 2006
Podcast #1 of Making History ;Podcast #2 of Making History ;Podcast #3 of Making History

The Value of EduBlogging

2006-07-12T11:30:00.000-04:00

I subscribe to several edublogs via www.bloglines.com and there was a model exchange between two bloggers that showcases the value of this collaborative medium. The Strength of Weak Ties is a blog maintained by David Jakes an Instructional Technology Coordinator and Dan McDowell a History teacher from California maintains his blog at http://jakespeak.blogspot.com/

Mr. McDowell posted a response on his blog.

Nicely done Gentlemen

The Interstates Turn 50

2006-07-10T17:52:00.000-04:00

Some great resources to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Interstate Highway Act

The Interstate Turns 50 for Time.com

Herald Tribune.com Photo Essay celebrating IHS 50th

History 360° Podcast #2 - Man on the Street Interviews

2006-07-05T16:46:00.000-04:00

History 360 Podcast #2 7.6.2006
Direct Link (7.1 MB)

Segment #1 Comment on Declaration of Independence:
The following audio was produced by New Channel 10 in Albany as part of their “Man on the Street segment Reporter John McLoughlin engaged some local mall patrons in in dialogue about July 4th. I have been using this in class for the past four years to motivate my students at the begining on the school year. I give each student a 20 question US Citizenship Test (SAMPLE: Citizenship Test ) the first day of class. After we process their responses I play the clip and offer it up as a cautionary tale..don’t let this happen to you.!!

Segment #2 WEB Gems for Declaration of Independence

Official website Declaration of Independence at the National Archives

National Geographic News: "U.S. Independence Celebrated on the Wrong Day?" (July 2, 2004)

Declaration of Independence Timeline: http://www.ushistory.org/declaration/timeline.htm

Colonial Hall (http://www.colonialhall.com/) includes analysis of the 27 grievances lodged at King George III and biographical sketches of America's founding fathers taken from the 1829 book, Lives of the Signers to the Declaration of Independence, by the Rev. Charles A. Goodrich.. The site contains 103 biographical sketches of America's founding fathers. At this time they have divided them up into 3 groups: Signers of the Declaration ; Signers of the Articles of Confederation; Signers of the U. S. Constitution

Clearinghouse of Declaration info: Wikipedia

Segment #3 Have you ever wondered what happened to the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence?

Eleven were merchants, nine were farmers and large plantation owners; men of means, well educated, but they signed the Declaration of Independence knowing full well that the penalty would be death if they were captured. Five signers were captured by the British as traitors, and torturedbefore they died Twelve had their homes ransacked and burned. Two lost their sons serving inthe Revolutionary Army; another had two sons captured. Nine of the 56 fought and died from wounds or hardships of the RevolutionaryTwenty-four were lawyers and jurists.

Questions, Comments, or Observations?
E-mail me at history360@gmail.com

The Archives: Making History Podcasts #1-3 Spring 2006Podcast #1 of Making History ;Podcast #2 of Making History ;Podcast #3 of Making History

History 360° Podcast #1 - Reflections from 2005-06

2006-07-04T00:26:00.000-04:00

History 360° Podcast #1 7.4.2006
Direct Link (13:59)

Segment #1 The evolution of History 360
Making History Blog and Bloglines
Podcasting in 2005-2006- What's Next?
Comments on Test Process Podcast

Segment #2 Background Music for History 360
The Communist Manifesto (1999) An original work from Michael Tash - Hoosic Valley Class of 2000. Link to MP3 of Communist Manifesto Lyrics coming soon

Questions, Comments, or Observations?
E-mail me at history360@gmail.com

The Archives: Making History Podcasts #1-3 Spring 2006
Podcast #1 of Making History ;Podcast #2 of Making History ;Podcast #3 of Making History

10 Days That Changed History

2006-07-03T11:31:00.000-04:00

10 Days That Changed History By ADAM GOODHEART Published in The New York Times July 2, 2006

IT'S a badly kept secret among scholars of American history that nothing much really happened on Thursday, July 4, 1776.

Although this date is emblazoned on the Declaration, the Colonies had actually voted for independence two days earlier; the document wasn't signed until a month later. When John Adams predicted that the "great anniversary festival" would be celebrated forever, from one end of the continent to the other, he was talking about July 2. Indeed, the dates that truly made a difference aren't always the ones we know by heart; frequently, they've languished in dusty oblivion. The 10 days that follow — obscure as some are — changed American history. (In some cases, they are notable for what didn't happen rather than what did.)
This list is quirky rather than comprehensive, and readers may want to continue the parlor game on their own. But while historians may argue endlessly about causes and effects — many even question the idea that any single day can alter the course of human events — these examples show that destiny can turn on a slender pivot, and that history often occurs when nobody is watching. Anyway, happy Second of July.
JUNE 8, 1610: A Lord's Landfall
Three years after its founding, the Virginia Colony was a failure. A few dozen starving settlers packed some meager possessions and sailed from Jamestown on June 7, headed back toward England. The next morning, to their surprise, they spotted a fleet coming toward them, carrying a new governor, Lord De La Warr, and a year's worth of supplies. If not for his appearance, Virginia might have gone the way of so many lost colonies. What is now the Southeastern United States could well have ended up in the French or Dutch empires. Tobacco might never have become a cash crop, and the first African slaves would not have arrived in 1619.
OCT. 17, 1777: Victory Along the Hudson
If one date should truly get credit for securing America's independence, it is when the British general John Burgoyne surrendered at Saratoga. The battle's significance was more diplomatic than military: shortly after news reached Paris, the French king decided to enter the war on the American side. "If the French alliance and funding hadn't come through at that moment, it's hard to say how much longer we could have held out," says Stacy Schiff, author of "A Great Improvisation: Franklin, France and the Birth of America." The American Revolution might have gone down in history as a brief provincial uprising, and the Declaration of Independence as a nice idea.
JUNE 20, 1790: Jefferson's Dinner Party
On this evening, Thomas Jefferson invited Alexander Hamilton and James Madison to dinner at his rented house on Maiden Lane in Lower Manhattan. In the course of the night, Jefferson recalled, they brokered one of the great political deals in American history. Under the terms of the arrangement, the national capital would be situated on the Potomac, and the federal government would agree to take on the enormous war debts of the 13 states. Had that meal never taken place, New York might still be the nation's capital. But even more important, the primacy of the central government might never have been established, says Ron Chernow, the Hamilton biographer. "The assumption of state debts was the most powerful bonding mechanism of the new Union," he says. "Without it, we would have had a far more decentralized federal system."
APRIL 19, 1802: Mosquitos Win the West
Events that change America don't always occur within our borders. Consider the spring of 1802. Napoleon had sent a formidable army under his brother-in-law, General Charles Leclerc, to quell the rebellion of former slaves in Haiti. On April 19, Leclerc reported to Napoleon that the rainy season had arrived, and his troops were falling ill. By the end of the year, almost the whole French force, including Leclerc himself, were dead of mosquito-borne yellow fever. When Napoleon realized his reconquest had failed, he abandoned hopes of a New World empire, and decided to sell the Louisiana Territory to the United States.
"Across a huge section of the American heartland, from New Orleans up through Montana, they ought to build statues to Toussaint L'Ouverture and the other heroes of the Haitian Revolution," says Ted Widmer, director of the John Carter Brown Library at Brown University.
JAN. 12, 1848: An Ill-Advised Speech
His timing couldn't have been worse: With the Mexican War almost won, a freshman congressman rose to deliver a blistering attack on President Polk and his "half-insane" aggressive militarism. Almost from the moment he sat down again, the political career of Representative Abraham Lincoln seemed doomed by the antiwar stand he had taken just when most Americans were preparing their victory celebrations. Yet that speech saved Lincoln. "It cast him into the political wilderness," says Joshua Wolf Shenk, the author of "Lincoln's Melancholy." This insulated him during the politically treacherous years of the early 1850's — when Americans divided bitterly over slavery — and positioned him to emerge as a national leader on the eve of the Civil War. Lincoln's early faux pas also taught him to be a pragmatist, not just a moralist. "If he had been successful in the 1840's, the Lincoln of history — the Lincoln who saved the Union — would never have existed," Mr. Shenk says
APRIL 16, 1902: The Movies
Motion pictures seemed destined to become a passing fad. Only a few years after Edison's first crude newsreels were screened — mostly in penny arcades, alongside carnival games and other cheap attractions, the novelty had worn off, and Americans were flocking back to live vaudeville. Then, in spring 1902, Thomas L. Tally opened his Electric Theater in Los Angeles, a radical new venture devoted to movies and other high-tech devices of the era, like audio recordings. "Tally was the first person to offer a modern multimedia entertainment experience to the American public," says the film historian Marc Wanamaker. Before long, his successful movie palace produced imitators nationally, which would become known as "nickelodeons." America's love affair with the moving image — from the silver screen to YouTube — would endure after
all.
FEB. 15, 1933: The Wobbly Chair
It should have been an easy shot: five rounds at 25 feet. But the gunman, Giuseppe Zangara, an anarchist, lost his balance atop a wobbly chair, and instead of hitting President-elect Franklin D. Roosevelt, he fatally wounded the mayor of Chicago, who was shaking hands with F.D.R. Had Roosevelt been assassinated, his conservative Texas running mate, John Nance Garner, would most likely have come to power. "The New Deal, the move toward internationalism — these would never have happened," says Alan Brinkley of Columbia University. "It would have changed the history of the world in the 20th century. I don't think the Kennedy assassination changed things as much as Roosevelt's would have."
MARCH 2, 1955: Almost a Heroine
When a brave young African-American woman was arrested for refusing to give up her seat on a Montgomery, Ala., bus, local and national civil rights leaders rallied to her cause. Claudette Colvin, 15, seemed poised to become an icon of the struggle against segregation. But then, shortly after her March 2 arrest, she became pregnant. The movement's leaders decided that an unwed teenage mother would not make a suitable symbol, so they pursued a legal case with another volunteer: Rosa Parks. That switch, says the historian Douglas Brinkley, created a delay that allowed Martin Luther King Jr. to emerge as a leader. He most likely would not have led the bus boycott if it had occurred in the spring instead of the following winter. "He might have ended up as just another Montgomery preacher," Professor Brinkley says.
SEPT. 18, 1957: Revolt of the Nerds
Fed up with their boss, eight lab workers walked off the job on this day in Mountain View, Calif. Their employer, William Shockley, had decided not to continue research into silicon-based semiconductors; frustrated, they decided to undertake the work on their own. The researchers — who would become known as "the traitorous eight" — went on to invent the microprocessor (and to found Intel, among other companies). "Sept. 18 was the birth date of Silicon Valley, of the electronics industry and of the entire digital age," says Mr. Shockley's biographer, Joel Shurkin.
AUG. 20, 1998: Just Missed
With most Americans absorbed by the Monica Lewinsky affair, relatively few paid much attention when the United States fired some 60 cruise missiles at Qaeda training camps in Afghanistan. Most public debate centered on whether President Clinton had ordered the strike to deflect attention from his domestic troubles.
Although the details of that day remain in dispute, some accounts suggest that the attack may have missed killing Osama bin Laden by as little as an hour. How that would have changed America — and the world — may be revealed, in time, by the history that is still unfolding.

Related: Primary Sources and Suggested Readings (July 2, 2006)

Podcast #3 Making History 4.29.2006

2006-04-23T09:23:00.001-04:00

Making History Podcast 4.28.2006Direct Link to Podcast #3 (22 minutes)

Segment #1 What I have Learned so far..

Segment #2 Teacher Toolbox
1. Strive for Five Sample and Strive for Five Key (MS Word Documents)
2. Review CD's - Powerpoint, United Streaming, and MS Producer 2003
3. NYS Regents Review- Exmaple of web based video clips for Government Review
4. The Presidents DVD from the History Channel - A panoramic look at the personalities who have occupied the Oval Office.

Segement #3 Links for US History Campaign Ads for the Classroom
The Living Room Candidate - Thee American Museum of the Moving Image has examples of television commercials from presidential elections.
EASE History - A rich online environment that supports the learning and teaching of US History. Hundreds of historical videos and photographs are currently available in EASE HistoryDirect Link to EaseHistory Tutorial

Segment #4 Cool Historical FactsLocal History: Abner Doubleday birthplace - Ballston Spa, NYCSPAN: Booknotes - Add these titles to your toolbox for great US History ancedotesWikipedia entires: Abner Doubleday; John Scopes; William Jennings Bryan

Please feel free to e-mail me with questions, comments or observations at History360@gmail.com

Podcast #2 Making History 4.21.2006

2006-04-22T17:08:00.000-04:00

Podcast #2 Making History 4.21.2006
Direct Link to Podcast #2 4.21.2006 (16:07) 15.5 MB

Podcast #2 Shownotes - You heard it here last....

Introduction Music: Blue Mountain Boogie by Mark Scott LaMountain and the Blue Thunder Band from the Podsafe Network: http://music.podshow.com

Segment #1 Rural college pushes iPod use for lecturesThe campus of Georgia College & State University boasts traditional college fare: spacious greens, historic architecture and a steady stream of students with the familiar white headphones of iPods dangling from their ears.

Segment #2 New York State Computers and Technologies in Education - Conference March 22, 2006 http://www.nyscate.org/ NYSCATE includes educators and educational administrators. Their mission is “to inspire and empower learning communities to envision and implement technologies for the purpose of improving student achievement.”

Bloglines: Free news aggregator http://www.bloglines.com/about/
Will Richardson's Blog http://www.weblogg-ed.com/
What every educator needs to know about Blogs, Wikis, Podcasts and Other Powerful Web Tools for Classrooms in one handy (and if I do say so myself, smart-looking) volume. Written for young teachers, old teachers, soon-to-be-teachers, administrators, heck…anyone who wants to learn more about how the Web is changing teaching and learning.

Segment #3 Classroom Experiments - Test Process PocastsThe Test Process podcasts website provides a personalized summary of each of our class unit tests http://www.testprocess.blogspot.com/

Segment #4 Comments on Jackie Robinson Day April 15th 2006: n April 15, 1947, Jackie Robinson became the first African-American player in Major League Baseball. In celebration of the most momentous day in baseball history, Commissioner Alan H. (“Bud”) Selig declared April 15 “Jackie Robinson Day” in perpetuity.

Additional Links from Segment #4
Jackie Robinson Foundation: http://www.jackierobinson.org/
Teddy Roosevelt and Booker T. Washington from Wikipedia.orgBaseball Hall of Fame http://www.baseballhalloffame.org/
Until Next Time....

Podcast #1 Making History 3.17.2006

2006-04-20T14:03:00.000-04:00

Podcast #1 Joining the Revolution 3.17.2006 -
At long last I have put togehter my debut Podcast: Podcast #1 Making History

Podcast #1 Shownotes:
My class webpage www.historyshack.com
Ballston Spa CSD www.bscsd.org
The Jime Rome Show www.jimrome.com
Classroom Blogging: A Teacher's Guide to the Blogosphere by David Warlick
David Warlick's Blog http://davidwarlick.com/2cents/
Podcasting: Do-It-Yourself Guide by Todd Cochrane
Free Podcast and Audacity Tutorial http://www.how-to-podcast-tutorial.com/

PODCAST HIT LIST:
#1 Eric Langhorst http://speakingofhistory.blogspot.com
#2 Talking History http://talkinghistory.oah.org/
#3 Ed Tech Talk http://edtechtalk.com/

Direct link to MP3 Podcast #1 of Making History (15 minutes)
Until Next Time...

Another Break, Another Blog

2006-04-19T13:04:00.000-04:00

I am changing the name of my Making History Podcast to History360. I would like to thank Anderson Coopr 360 and ESPN 360 for the inspiration!! Here are the reasons for the change

1. The History360 Trifecta - My blog, podcast and email address will all have History 360 in the title. I think this will make it easier to remember, locate, and download content.

2. This blog and podcast will provide a 360-degree look at History, education, and instructional technology. The name is catchy and captures ny goals.

3. My fourth podcast, scheduled May 28th 2006 will mark the debut of History 360. All future podcasts will be available through this site. Subscription and RSS info will be available.