Engage the Maze....
A Teaching American History Newsletter from Dr. Christine Johnson
Hello fellow teachers! Welcome to the fourth installment of Engage the Maze.
Christine Johnson, EditorRevitalize!
Summertime, a time for revitalizing ourselves as people who educate. I have been discussing a great deal on the use of simulation to increase understanding. The summer might be a perfect time for you to experience how you learn via simulations. For example try these out:1) Let's say it's gardening time. Instead of "you 2006" doing the care, it's "you as a farmer of the 1800s.” Use the tools of the time and approach your work with the same level of need. (I.e., I need everything I produce to feed my family.)
2) It's family gathering time. Think of the journeys folks have made to reach you. If it’s 1800 how long and how have they reached you? How does it change your perception of the event?
3) You go for a ride. Step out of the car and look about you as someone from the 1800s. What do you see? Is your reaction to the land different than through the eyes of you today?
4) Prepare a meal as if you are doing so in the 1800s and discover the differences that brings.
As with any simulation it is the after processing that brings the learning. As we think through our actions/perceptions it the after thoughts that brings renewed understanding.
Hopefully, you will experiment with how you learn through simulation this way and be ready to try simulations with your students this coming year.
Don’t forget I would appreciate your responses! Write to me at cj@alivelearn.com (In the subject line write “TAH newsletter reaction.”) Let me know what you discover!
Have a great summer
Some of you I will see in June. I will have my GPS system with me so I would be pleased if had a historical cache for me to find!
Remember to email me if you have reactions to this newsletter’s suggestions. cj@alivelearn.com
Web Recommendation
My web recommendation this month is a site devoted to simulation and professional development
This is a site that has many wonderful features to share ideas with other educators. There is a whole section devoted to social studies. http://tappedin.org/tappedin/
Use the summer to gain some thoughts for instruction next year- the webquest (use of web for pertinent information to solve a dilemma http://webquest.sdsu.edu/
The Library of Congress has excellent primary documents lessons. Check it out at http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/treasures/
For those of you enjoying exploring, check out www.geocaching.com and think of historical caches you can add to your locale.
