US History
“Did They Actually, Really Believe This?” Medical Documents as a Window on the Past
Submitted by Steven Lapham on Fri, 08/14/2009 - 12:41pmStudents discuss how "ideas that a society mistakenly believes to be scientific can be used to promote social prejudice and discrimination." An etched image (ca. 1840) of an Irish immigrant's "broad, low head" clearly shows "exceedingly deficient moral organs -- especially benevolence."
This URL downloads all 16 pages of Middle Level Learning as a pdf of about 0.7 MB: --> read more »
The Colonial Convention: Teaching History as Perspective Taking
Submitted by Steven Lapham on Fri, 08/14/2009 - 12:26pm--Mac Duis and Sandra S. Duis
Eighth grade students adopt the role of a character from the late Colonial era and present that character's perspective on issues of the day at a convention involving the 13 colonies.
This URL downloads all 16 pages of Middle Level Learning as a pdf of about 4.5 MB:
* http://members.ncss.org/mll/03/mll03.pdf
The Makah: Exploring Public Issues during a Structured Classroom Discussion
Submitted by Steven Lapham on Fri, 08/14/2009 - 12:12pm--Bruce E. Larson
Students have to think on two levels: they must deliberate about a current issue (Native rights to small-scale whaling) and develop reasons to defend their thinking; and they must reflect on the discussion process itself.
- publications.socialstudies.org/yl/1001/100102.html
Using Children’s Diaries to Teach the Oregon Trail
Submitted by Steven Lapham on Fri, 08/14/2009 - 9:30am--Richard M. Wyman, Jr.
Children traveling west with their families sometimes kept diaries. "precisely because they were trapped in the present moment," these young authors often viewed "their immediate world with a special clarity."
This URL downloads all 16 pages of Middle Level Learning as a pdf of about 3.5MB:
http://members.ncss.org/mll/01/mll01.pdf
Buttoning Up a Hands-On History Lesson
Submitted by Steven Lapham on Fri, 08/14/2009 - 9:15am--Audrey C. Rule and Cynthia Szymanski Sunal
How can you tell that something is old? A historical collection of everyday items (buttons, carpenter nails, magazines, fabric, food containers, etc.) "can provide concrete examples to help students construct a concept of change."
Exploring the Past with 21st-Century Tools
Submitted by Steven Lapham on Thu, 08/13/2009 - 4:00pm--Kelly Schrum and Lynne Schrum
The Internet "is a tool for helping students engage with history and bring their understanding of the past to the present in new, exciting ways.
Exploring the Explorers: Using Internet Resources
Submitted by Steven Lapham on Thu, 08/13/2009 - 3:57pm--Cheryl Franklin Torrez and Gina Bush
Students investigate various sources to learn about the Age of Exploration--and think critically about what they are reading at the (sometimes mischievous) "All About Explorers" website.
Happy Birthday, Mr. President! New Books for Abraham Lincoln’s Bicentennial
Submitted by Steven Lapham on Thu, 08/13/2009 - 3:53pm--Terrell A. Young, Barbara A. Ward, and Deanna Day
Discusses 15 books published in 2007-09, "any one of which would make an excellent addition to a classroom collection."
A Closer Look: The Representation of Slavery in the [em]Dear America[/em] Series
Submitted by Steven Lapham on Thu, 08/13/2009 - 3:50pm--T. Lee Williams
A critical review of four books from this popular juvenile historical fiction series, focusing on their depiction of the experience and institution of slavery in the United States.
A Century of Veterans: Researching History Through Our Local Cemetery
Submitted by Steven Lapham on Thu, 08/13/2009 - 3:43pm--Lindsey B. Downey
Third graders research the memorials in the cemetery in the town of Otterbein, Ohio, and write tributes in response.
