Apps Review

First, the review of think free office.  The application that I downloaded on my phone, allowed me to work on word processing while I was away, that I can now transfer onto my computer.  I did not know of the web storage portion of this cloud experience until reviewing it for this class.  I downloaded this app at the beginning of the summer simply so I could view word documents from my school email. This allows flexibility and productivity in a situation where it may not otherwise be available.

Fotoflexer was another useful photo editing software.  It was impressive to  me how this site could "cloud" with other photo websites we explored earlier on. With the advantage of seamlessly sharing content between photobooks and this editing software for free, educators have a solid website in fotoflexer.  The EZ collage feature really lends itself to visual projects in history also.  With this function it could be used to design persuasive posters, or thematic art universally.

Simple Web Page

Link to Simple Web Page

I made a simple web page that I will add to once the school year gets started.  I left out pictures from previous dances, fundraisers and even student government video applications due to privacy issues I wanted to get ok'd by the principal.  When I get those permissions I will then post it with my real students, and give an example video application and the packet they need to fill out to apply for student council.  This will be a useful way to apply these webpages because students will be able to post the work we have done and parents will know what upcoming fundraisers we have on the calendar.  I also included the riddles gadget to just stimulate thought at the beginning of our meetings and promote teamwork.

Concept Map for Position Analysis

This concept map is similar to ones that I use in my classroom when we work on the G.L.C.E. that relates to public policy issues. For this expectation they are required to identify, discuss, analyze and defend a public policy issue. This map is generic because it can be used to analyze any public policy issue. What it will do is allow them to process any previous notes they took, discussions/debates they heard, news clips they watch, etc. and process them into a flow map organizer. What this teaches them to do is to identify a position on the issue, mold that into a position statement and subsequently give points and refutations to the other side's claims and points. The next to last step that they will have to do is use a core democratic value or C.D.V. as support for their argument or to prove the other side violates this C.D.V. At the beginning and end will be summary boxes so that they can summarize their position into a concluding statement that is approximately one paragraph. Summarizing a main idea with two main points is a skill we are working on as a building as it has been a problem on standardized tests in our inventory analyses.

**DISCLAIMER**- I made this large so that it could be seen, just hold ctrl and hit - if its too large for your browser, ctrl plus + will zoom back in for you.

How to Videos for Underground Railroad assignment

Part 1--How to do the Underground Railroad assignment.
http://screencast.com/t/1fb8CYPQhDa

Part 2--How to do the Underground Railroad assignment.
http://screencast.com/t/8AnKlMkkmM


*For further instructions read the post below.

Underground Rail Road Assignment

         This assignment would utilize Google maps to approximately identify where runaway slaves would escape from the South into Northern territory where slavery was illegal (However, with the passing of the fugitive slave act of 1850, anyone aiding a fugitive slave would be punishable by jail and/or fine).  They will diagram three routes and give the approximate distance it would be from a city in the South to the Northern city, or Canada.  The distances tracked will not be the straight lines originally given but must follow modern day roads to simulate traversing through or around natural barriers.  Once a distance is found they will divide this by the average walking speed of 2.5 mph and determine how long it would take that person if they could only travel during night.   Students will have to list some of the geographical barriers that would have posed problems to those on the Underground Railroad as well.  At the conclusion of making their maps, students will write a “30 second speech” that summarizes the difficulties and distances traveled on their routes.

Instructions (Step 1 is done on the map for option 2 of the assmt.):

1.      .  Map out three different routes from slave states to free states, using roads instead of straight line distances.
2.         Identify the distance and divide it by the average walking speed of 2.5 mph, to calculate how long it would take to get to the North. **Remember trips frequently were only able to occur during low light hours.
3.         What natural boundaries would have gotten in the way? 
4.     Compose a one paragraph summary, or a “30 second speech” that would summarize the challenges faced based on the distances, laws, and boundaries in the Under Ground Rail Road’s way.

View Underground RailRoad in a larger map

Google Maps Assignment

Underground Rail Road Assignment

         This assignment would utilize Google maps to approximately identify where runaway slaves would escape from the South into Northern territory where slavery was illegal (However, with the passing of the fugitive slave act of 1850, anyone aiding a fugitive slave would be punishable by jail and/or fine).  They will diagram three routes and give the approximate distance it would be from a city in the South to the Northern city, or Canada.  The distances tracked will not be the straight lines originally given but must follow modern day roads to simulate traversing through or around natural barriers.  Once a distance is found they will divide this by the average walking speed of 2.5 mph and determine how long it would take that person if they could only travel during night.   Students will have to list some of the geographical barriers that would have posed problems to those on the Underground Railroad as well.  At the conclusion of making their maps, students will write a “30 second speech” that summarizes the difficulties and distances traveled on their routes.

Instructions (Step 1 is done on the map for option 2 of the assmt.):

1.      .  Map out three different routes from slave states to free states, using roads instead of straight line distances.
2.         Identify the distance and divide it by the average walking speed of 2.5 mph, to calculate how long it would take to get to the North. **Remember trips frequently were only able to occur during low light hours.
3.         What natural boundaries would have gotten in the way? 
4.     Compose a one paragraph summary, or a “30 second speech” that would summarize the challenges faced based on the distances, laws, and boundaries in the Under Ground Rail Road’s way.

View Underground RailRoad in a larger map

Dan Carlin--"Common Sense"

http://ec.libsyn.com/p/7/8/f/78fd9a898a11db8b/cswdcc31.mp3?d13a76d516d9dec20c3d276ce028ed5089ab1ce3dae902ea1d01cc8531d4cd59a893&c_id=4674813

The above link will take you directly to the podcast of a political commentator named Dan Carlin.  As a social studies teacher you have to be well aware of the social analysis of our times.  While his commentary is maybe a bit abrasive for many, it does make one think about "what's going on" in the words of Marvin Gaye.  While it would be a site not really applicable to middle schoolers, it is something I think all adult citizens in this great nation should listen to.  This particular podcast is about the idea of "liberty" and if people are aware at all and not simple seduced by politicians rhetoric or social hypnosis, they will realize our American Dream is faltering.  Whether you look at unemployment, government dependence, or just analyzing how "people feel", it is apparent things are not at a peak point in history for our nation.  The values and ethos of our people is changing and not what made that American Dream possible.  We have been "spoiled" in a sense, comparatively speaking to many other nations and Carlin is trying to awaken people. The central idea in this podcast is the preamble's notion that "we the people" are supposed to be influencing and directing the government, not the other way around where government controls, regulates, and determines how we live on such a micro level!

http://www.dancarlin.com/

Engaging Video for Students on Political Party Basics...

They always end up getting it stuck in their head.  I purchased their entire playlist and use it every year to try and "hook" certain students in :) .