Historical Letters

Students had the task of crafting a letter written during the Revolutionary War time period.  Using Voicethread, I read my students' letters and created a slideshow.

American Revolution Unit

Useful Literature video using Animoto

Liberty's Kids Theme

Tidbits of Interest

     I find myself wandering into bookstores lately and heading straight to the history section!  After skimming titles and authors, it's so difficult to make a choice.  My heightened awareness of primary sources peak my interest in so many novels previously unbeknownst to me.  But at least I know where I'll head on my next trip to the bookstore!  The class I participated in this summer sparked many interests into different periods of history that I previously would have overlooked.  Now, my bookshelf is crammed with many books I look forward to reading...if only I had more time!

    I recently had the opportunity to meet Ted Gup during one of his book talks at the Andover Bookstore on November 18. His new release, A Secret Gift, tells all about a benefactor named Mr. B. Virdot who pleased many people responding to a newspaper ad during the Great Depression.  Mr. Gup uses primary sources that were found in a suitcase in his grandmother's attic.  It was so interesting to hear this story brought to life by a wonderful storyteller and to see such great use of these important documents!

    Reading Joseph Ellis' Founding Brothers, I was intrigued to learn the intimate details about the lives of some of history's most important men.  Ellis will be speaking about his newest book, First Family:  Abigail and John Adams at the Portsmouth Music Hall in Portsmouth, NH on Tuesday, November 30.  Tickets cost $13, and books for signing can be pre-purchased with a voucher. 

 

     On a different note, students in my fourth grade class had the opportunity to listen to a re-enactor tell all about what life may have been like in 1775.  Pictures will shortly follow.  In addition, last Tuesday, my students watched as fifth graders from our school read different first-hand accounts of the events of April 19, 1775.  We learned that we truly don't know who fired those first shots and just how confusing pointing fingers can be!  More details and pictures tomorrow...

Lots of Learning

     Teaching about the American Revolution isn't necessarily in the fourth grade MA frameworks, so I decided to focus on the standards of historical empathy and perspective.  We are working toward our culminating activity which includes a re-enactment of what happened at the Battles of Lexington and Concord, as well as writing a letter from the perspective of a British Regular.
     To provide students with an introduction to the American Revolution, we began with a simple brainstorm chart, much like a K-W-L chart.  We started writing things down that related to this time period and then categorized them into People, Places, and Things.  Students debated with each other the accuracy of some statements, so we worked together to find the "truths." 
     I just finished reading My Brother Sam is Dead to my class. They loved it and couldn't wait to continue each day. Throughout the story, we reviewed the different perspectives of characters and discussed reasons why each character felt they way they did.  In addition, we completed journal entries answering the question, "If you lived in 1775, would you consider yourself a Loyalist or a Patriot?  Why?" 
     I found a great cartoon series from PBS called Liberty's Kids.  There is a website, but I found the series on Netflix and could watch it instantly in my classroom on our projector.  We watched the first episode on Friday-The Boston Tea Party.  Although time doesn't allow for us to watch the entire series in school, we'll watch "The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere" and "The Battle of Lexington and Concord" next week.
    On Monday, students are looking forward to a re-enactor visiting our class to talk about life in 1775.

Summer Nights

How 'bout them Red Sox?

First Try

Did this work?  Technology can be so confusing!