Tip of the Week – Three social studies iPad apps I just fell in love with

I haven’t had a lot of time in the last few weeks to spend searching for great mobile apps. But with a hat tip to Jaime H. and through a conversation with a couple of great teachers in Illinois, I did run across three that I really like. I think you will too. The first [...]

Read Full Post »

Letters of Note – “To My Old Master”

As an unabashed primary documents geek, I’m always looking for online and print resources that I can share with kids and teachers. A few years ago, I ran across a great primary document site and still use it to find incredibly weird, interesting, and engaging goodies. Titled Letters of Note, the site is an attempt [...]

Read Full Post »

Books I’m reading and other assorted Civil War stuff

It’s been all Civil War books and stuff since last spring. Partly because it’s the 150th anniversary of the war and partly because the Teaching American History grant I’m helping to lead is focusing on the war this year, I’ve been on a Civil War kick much of the year. So if you’re not a [...]

Read Full Post »

Lincoln, “a new birth of freedom” and EDSITEment

November 19, 1863. Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Perhaps 20,000 people had gathered to hear former Massachusetts Senator and  Governor Edward Everett deliver a speech dedicating the cemetery at the Gettysburg battlefield. The dedication had been postponed a month to allow Everett more time to prepare his remarks. The weather was mild for November, windy with a few [...]

Read Full Post »

Cause of the Civil War? Use a pie chart

It’s a great day. Today is the first of eight days spent with 41 middle school teachers discussing 19th century American History. It’s all part of the Century of Progress Teaching American History grant project. And it doesn’t get any better. Lots of great history conversations. Lots of learning. Lots of awesome materials and resources. [...]

Read Full Post »