Question of the Day

Question of the Day:
Who will win the 2012 Presidential Election, Obama or Romney?
How will this election impact the future of the U.S. and how will historians view this time period in the future?
Send your responses to my e-mail link listed below. 

Contact Information

If you have any question, comments, or concerns e-mail me at Plbarrett1@buffs.wtamu.edu

Political Cartoons

Reading Response Log

Parker Barrett

Reading Response Log: The Civil War

Rationale:

            Welcome U.S.History students! For this portion of the class we will be taking an in depth look at the American Civil War (War Between the States). Along with the notes and technology lessons, we will read five various books pertaining to the Civil War. These books will allow the students to better understand the culture and lives of the people during the conflict.

            I chose these books for many reasons. I have been an avid Civil War fan since I was seven years old. Each of these five books that I would have my students read are books that I have read in the past. Some of these books are purely historical, while others are historical works of fiction that give the students a personal look at the closeness of the opposing sides.

1. Title: Voices From Civil War

Author: Meltzer, Milton

Publisher: Crowell,

Pub date: c1989.

ISBN:             0690048009

Item info: 1 copy available at Amarillo Public Library North 

Summary-

This book is composed of primary and secondary sources and is intended for the purpose of gaining perspective into the lives of those who lived during the Civil War. This book has 203 pages and most all of the book is dedicated to letters of soldiers on both sides and high-ranking personnel.

            Personal Notes-

As an avid historian and school-teacher, I love how this book captures the raw details of the war and not just the beauty that most authors try to emulate. Some of the letters are really haunting because that person soon after died in duty. All in all this book will be an excellent opportunity for the high school students to capture the essence of civilian and military life during the war.

            Usage in Classroom-

After reading this book, the students could write a “war-time” letter to a loved one just as the men and women did in real life during the War Between the States.

 

2. Title: Where Death and Glory Meet

Author: Duncan, Russell.

Publisher: University of Georgia Press,

Pub date: c1999.

ISBN:             0820321354

Item info: 1 copy available at Amarillo Public Library Southwest

Summary-

This book gives an historical account of the African American soldiers of the Fifty-fourth Massachusetts Infantry and their leader, Col. Robert Shaw. The book goes into detail about the failed, but valiant, charge at Ft. Wagner led by Col. Shaw.

            Personal Notes-

This book does a great job exploring the challenges that the African American soldiers of the Fifty-fourth Massachusetts Infantry faced on and off the battlefield. It should be a good read for high school students due to the personal nature of race and freedom that is involved in the book.

            Usage in Classroom-

Have the students discuss the actions of various people and people groups in this book. Were the actions of the Confederate soldiers’ extreme for war time conditions? Was Col. Shaw smart in organizing a charge on the fort knowing what would most likely happen to the black soldiers if they were unsuccessful?

3. Title: Words for the Hour

Author: Barrett, Faith

 Publisher: University of Massachusetts Press,

Pub date: c2005.

ISBN:             1558495096

Item info: All copies are taken from Amarillo Public Library at the moment

           

            Summary-

This book gives the reader a glance into the art and passion that went into the lives of poets during the Civil War. The100 plus pages of this book are all poems that glorify and expose the American Civil War.

           

            Personal Notes-

I love how this book brings about passion to this brutal time period, not just stats and facts. The poems all express different perspectives for both sides of the fight.

            Usage in Classroom-

The great thing about this book is that it can be used in a History or English class. I would turn this assignment into an interdisciplinary lesson, examining the literary themes and formations of the poems while exploring the thoughts, locations, and dates of the poets.

4. Title: Genealogical resources of the Civil War era: online and published military or civilian name lists, 1861-1869, & post-war veteran lists 

Author:  Dollarhide, William.

Publisher:Family Roots Pub. Co.,

Pub date: c2009.

ISBN:             9781933194455

Item info:1 copy available at Amarillo Public Library Central.

            Summary-

This book is mainly a list of stats and names pertaining to the War Between the States, but does a great job manifesting the massive toll the Civil War took on civilians and soldiers alike.

           

            Personal Notes-

I try not to incorporate boring book about random facts and stats into the curriculum. This, however, is a different stat book. The entire time I read the book in high school I was enamored at how the author was able to make the book such an enjoyable read for an amateur historian like myself.

            Usage in Classroom-

The main purpose in using this book in my classroom would be for the resources that are made available in this book. This book could help many students with research papers dealing with the Civil War Era in the fact that it has ample amounts of stats and primary and secondary sources.

5. Title: The Civil War: an illustrated history

Author:  Ward, Geoffrey C.

Publication info New York: Knopf, 1990.

ISBN: 0394562852 :

Item info: 1 copy available at Amarillo Public Library Central

            Summary-

This book is a really great piece for any historian or teacher to have in their library. Based off of the Ken Burns documentary, The Civil War gives great insight into the entire scope of the disastrous conflict.

            Personal Notes-

This was one of the first Civil War books I ever read growing up and continue to look over the pages, marveling at the detail in the book over the content. This is a pretty lengthy book, might as well be classified as a textbook, but there are some great passage for individual detail.

            Usage for Classroom-

There are many things a student can accomplish by using this book. One thought might be for the student to draw up and complete a military map of a certain battle, complete with headquarters, flanks, water passages, etc. This book could also become the main focus for a research project in which a student, or multiple students, select a certain passage or event to research based on the content of the book. They could create a PowerPoint, give a speech regarding a battle, or could recreate a battle or event using students in the classroom as historical figures of the time. The possibilities are endless with this book.

Videos

Pictures

    

Recomended Websites

American Rhetoric
http://americanrhetoric.com/


U.S. History
 http://www.ushistory.org/us/

Smithsonian 
 http://smithsonianeducation.org/educators/lesson_plans/history_culture.html

 U.S. House of Representatives
  http://www.house.gov/


U.S. Senate
 http://www.senate.gov/

History
 http://historymatters.gmu.edu/browse/wwwhistory/

Citation Help
 http://citationmachine.net/index2.php

Writing Help
  http://owl.english.purdue.edu/

History Quizzes For Fun
 http://www.history.com/interactives/quiz

Website Evaluations

1.      Website: Oracle Education Foundation, Thinkquest

2.      Website Address:  http://www.thinkquest.org/pls/html/f?p=52300:30:2745728201018663::::P30_CATEGORY_ID:CPJ_HISTORY_GOVERNMENT

3.      Copyright Date and/or Last Update: December 27, 2011

4.      Author/ Organizational Credentials: Thinkquest consists of over 8,000 websites made by students in a competition form. The websites vary from pre-k English to secondary U.S. or World History.

5.      Website Design and Ease of Navigation: The website can be user-friendly once glanced at. The problem with transporting around the website is also due to why the website is great in the first place; there are so many different activities within the website that it is almost impossible to comprehend. The website starts off at the home base of the Oracle Education Foundation. From that point there are four main tracks to choose from, projects, competition, library, and help. From there is it up to the teacher or student to select projects or old lessons from past competitions. The design is set up fairly well in that there are different places for different subjects and that there is a library for teachers to divulge in. It isn’t easy for people to navigate on this website do to the great amount of resources available. There are over 8,000 links as to the fact that there are over 8,000 different projects and resources available for use. All in all the fact that this website is so rich in fun, interactive, assignments for the children that the difficulty factor of reaching the sites can be compromised by the teacher’s ability to research the website prior to letting students in. 

6.      Response and Recommendation for use: This website is great for specific lessons and subjects. For example, as a U.S. History teacher I would be able to access the U.S. section of History and see that there are many essays, quizzes, and web quests available for even a specific U.S. topic like the American Civil War.  The library section is by far the best area in the website for students. There are thousands upon thousands of ideas and lessons available for every subject. For this area I would recommend the students look at the web quests and interactive lessons during the class period. The next recommendation I would have would be to have all the students in the class prepare and create a web quest, activity, etc. for the competition part of the website. This would be able to get the kids excited to create something educational while having fun at the same time.  In conclusion, I believe that this website can hold value not only for social students, but for students in all subjects. If a teacher can properly research what should be used and what shouldn’t be used in this website, than the students’ education will be enriched even more so.

1.      Website: American History

2.      Website Address: http://webtech.kennesaw.edu/jcheek4/history.htm

3.      Copyright Date and/or Last Update: August 16, 2005

4.      Author/Organizational Credentials: Jerrie S. Cheek from the educational technology center at Kennesaw State University is responsible for the content in the website. This website appears to be valid in its content based on my previous experience with the website and that fact that it is from a university.

5.      Website Design and Ease of Navigation: This website is very easy to get around because it essentially serves as only a home base for secondary history researchers. The website has numerous web quests and resources available to students by simply clicking the title of the web quest or lesson. From there the student will either be directed to another website or a web quest. One of the web quests is from Oracle, the website that was evaluated previous to this one. The only potential problem this website has is that some of the links may need to be reviewed for content and safety. In my experience, however, the links all direct the students to more safe learning opportunities. Another great detail in observing this website is that there are small side notes to the links telling the student that the particular link will lead them to a timeline, web quest, think quest, or research guide.  There are literally hundreds of links that will lead the student to a lesson or web quest pertaining to U.S. History. This website would serve as a good model for how effect learning centers can be simple and not complex.

6.      Response and Recommendation for use: There are literally hundreds of opportunities in this website for children of the secondary nature to learn. One of the great things about this website is that it can serve as an alternative to a textbook and can be used as a technology lesson as well. A teacher would be wise to use this website due to the extensive list of links that lead to many great web quests, timelines, and think quests. One example of how this website works is the link that says “Women’s Suffrage”. This link then proceeds to send the student to a list of important women to the women’s suffrage movement. From there detailed biographies of the suffragettes are displayed for the students to read and write about. If I were to teach U.S. History, I would use this website by having the students read or interact with what they are learning via web quest or link. From there the students would write down what key facts and details about the event shown and would could present the information to the class in a variety of different ways such as a PowerPoint, timeline, or poster. In the end this is a very reliable website that is full of historical and educational web quests, timelines, links, and think quests that not only enable the student to understand U.S. History, but also serves as an alternative method for which students can use.

1.      Website: National Geographic Society

2.      Website Address: www.nationalgeographic.com

3.      Copyright Date or Last Updated: 2012

4.      Author/ Organizational Credentials: The National Geographic Society is composed of numerous explorers, archeologists, biologists, and historians that post their findings or adventures on this website. The National Geographic Society also encourages average people to explore life for themselves. Although this is a .com website and should usually be avoided, National Geographic has built themselves up to one of the most dependable and reliable sources for history and other subjects as well.

5.      Website Design and Ease of Navigation: This website is fairly accessible to most post people. The top of the website allows for different areas of learning taking place as subjects like animals, science, education all pop up on the first page. From this point many links become available for the student as there are numerous activities and games that not only help the student become more involved, but also help them learn at the same time. This website continues to be user-friendly as various polls and questionnaires show up on the middle right side of the page. National Geographic is known for their vivid depictions of life through photography, and the website is no different as most of the articles and activities have breath-taking pieces of photography adorn the walls of the website. Towards the lower right of the page there are special articles that are picked by the editor to show emphasis on the importance of it as it pertains to people. The search bar at the top right of the website can also help if looking in the archives or just looking for a specific topic. Another great way this website is helpful in its design is that at the very bottom left there is a section for educators that provides teachers with resources and other items that can be useful from National Geographic. There is also a place at the bottom where people can purchase the National Geographic magazines. This area is very user friendly as the purchase of a magazine could be helpful for students who are struggling with technology. All in all this website is one of the most user-friendly sites for educators in the social studies composite field.

6.      Response and Recommendation for use: I would most certainly recommend the National Geographic Society for use in the classroom. As a child growing up I remember my teachers using National Geographic for many purposes. Now, in today’s technology driven world, it is very cool to see that National Geographic has broadened its educational usage. As a secondary History or English teacher, I would use National Geographic for combining subjects. A good idea would be to have the students read an article on something pertaining to geography, such as the effect of acid rain on the people of the Congo. After reading the text, the students could make an inference as to what would happen if certain factors were changed in the situation.

1.      Website: Anne Arundel County Public Schools

2.      Website Address: http://www.aacps.org/aacps/boe/instr/curr/comed/hswebquest.htm

3.      Copyright Date or Last Updated: 2003

4.      Author/ Organizational Credentials: The majority of content covered in this website belongs to the faculty and staff of Anne Arundel County Public Schools System. Some of the links belong to independent websites that the school system is allowed usage of.

5.      Website Design and Ease of Navigation: This website has good and not so good qualities in terms of the design of the website and the ease of navigation. First off, the website is simplistic, but outdated. This leads to the design of the website to be slightly off on my computer, enough to confuse others. There also a lot of words in tight spaces that sometimes seems to coincide together. The good quality about the design of the website is that it is in a table format. This allows for students and teachers to see what lesson content belongs to each web quest, and how it is supposed to enhance the education of the student. The table even shows if the web quest is multidisciplinary or not. The teachers of this school system hopefully utilize this website because the easy access and the curriculum that is in the web quests are tremendous. After clicking on one of the web quests, the student will be taken to a separate page within the school system that shows the teacher that created the web quest, and a list showing the structure of the web quest. It is very easy to navigate through this website as all of the links work and the pages that are displayed after the links are well organized at the top of the page. Another good thing about the organization of the pages that the web quests are on has to do with the pages that are at the top of the page. Whether it be the introduction to the web quest, or the evaluation, the links are effective in making it easier to navigate through the website and web quest itself.

6.      Response and Recommendation for use: When first coming across this website I was sure that it was not a great environment for safe, fun learning. After looking over the web quests and the links that go along with the website, it is safe to say that this is one of the best web quests websites that I have seen. It is great that the teachers, and not random people from across the globe, are creating these web quests for their own kids and for other children and teachers who want to learn. I recommend that teachers use this website specifically for what it’s for, web quests. After reading over some of the web quests I have realized that web quests are great for students in that they develop skills in English or History while exploring the computer at the same time. I firmly believe that this website and other web quest websites can really help children grow and learn in a fun and safe environment.

Educational Philosphy

 My goal as an educator is to prepare students for success in and out of the classroom. Education is the key that can open doors for children who would not normally have the chance to succeed and grow. I believe a safe learning environment, combined with the proper instruction, will enable students to flourish in school and beyond. 

Biosketch

My main educational focus revolves around Social Studies and English at the secondary level. I want students to experience history as if they were there when it happened, not just the memorization of facts and events.