States' Rights

Attorneys general from 13 states filed a lawsuit against the federal government. The lawsuit claims that the health care bill signed by President Obama on March 23 contains a provision that is unconstitutional. The proponents of the lawsuit are citing the 10th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which reserves powers of the states and people. Henry McMaster, South Carolina's Attorney General, sees the provision - mandating that all citizens and legal residents purchase qualifying health care coverage - as an attack on the sovereignty of the states and the liberty of the people.

The battle of states' rights is not novel. In the late 18th century, Anti-Federalists supported self-government of states and feared that the authority of a strong central government would lead to the loss of individual and states rights. In the Antibellum period, southern states lost power in Congress because their population was not increasing as rapidly as the north's. The southern states sought to assert their individual power and break free from federal authority, ultimately leading to secession. Issues of states' rights continued into the 20th century with the passage of the 17th Amendment.

The current debate over states' rights can be used to connect with historic debates over states' rights, whether you are studying the founding of the U.S. government, New Deal legislation, or racial segregation.

Women's History Month

March is Women's History Month, and this would make it a great opportunity to discuss the life and accomplishments of Jane Addams with your class. The book that Kristina gave to us is a very informative and easy to read edition. The book tells the story of Jane Addams in an interesting and engaging way, not just narrating the events that took place in Jane Addams’ life but also capturing the personality of the lady who had a profound effect on the people and events of her times. Readers will be left wondering how it is that they did not know more about this extraordinary woman who did so much, who gave so much of herself, and who had so much hope for the future.

Puritan Ideology

Do you think the Puritan Colonies of the seventeenth century were a dull and boring place? Think again!!!!!
Joanna

History Day!!!!!!!!

First of all I just want to add my two cents on the outstanding job Mr.Rucker did on his presentation at our last seminar. He was so enthusiastic and knowledgable. It was super.
Today is our History Day competition at Triad Middles School. If your school does not participate in History Day really consider adding it to your schedule. The students really benefit from the experience and you will be amazed at their creativity. We had one young man who moved from Columbus to our school in October. He had been attending a charter school for children with extreme ADHD and was not having a very positive time at school. His reading level is around the 2nd to 3rd grade. He took the instructions and rubrics home, picked a topic, and worked diligently on his exhibit, getting finished 3 days before anyone else. We are presenting him with the Principals Award for outstanding effort. These kinds of results make all the work worth it!

Have a great day!
Amanda Goodwin

Great Speaker

I'm really new at this blogging thing, but here goes nothing. I wanted you to know that I thought that Dr. Rucker was an outstanding speaker. It was quite evident that he is passionate about his chosen field. I thought he was a much better speaker than he is an author. I found his writing to be informative and thought provoking, but very collegial.

Ron Wood

More Resources on PBS

Seems I have had a little more time to sit and watch tv lately..... another perk of snow days! I was reminded again of what a good resource PBS can be for teaching history. I watched a couple of worthwhile programs.

Ironically, after our discussion in class on Saturday about recent advances in DNA testing and its use in geneology, and specifically Henry Louis Gates's work with it, I saw the first segment of a Gates program called "Faces of America". In this program, Gates has done research on the immigrant families of well-known Americans, among them Kristi Yamaguchi, Dr. Oz, Yo Yo Ma, director Mike Nichols, and others. The stories he uncovers for these people are fascinating in themselves. But what I found the most intriguing is the insight he gave them into some of the ironies of their ancestors' lives. For instance, Krisiti Yamaguchi's Japanese American grandfather was a decorated soldier serving in the US army in World War II while his wife was being held in a "relocation center" in Arizona. Mikes Nichols's grandfather served in the German army in World War I, then immigrated to the US to escape persecution of the Jews. His sons then went back to Germany as US soldiers in World War II.
This series could be a valuable resource for use with older students when studying immigration or World War II.

A second program I saw was part of the series called "Independent Lens". These programs usually highlight more contemporary subjects through documentaries done by filmmakers who are not in the mainstream. But last week's segment was about the 1960 non-violent protest started by 4 African American students at the Woolworth store in Greensboro, North Carolina. It was a very well done documentary which did a fantastic job of showing the determination of the 4 young men who started the protest as well as the many other students and local citizens who joined them.

I don't know if PBS lends DVDs of these programs as they do of some of their "educational" series, but it would be worth asking!

Summer Reading for High School

Greetings! This past year my school (Triad) implemented a district wide summer reading program for every grade level in the district, I was asked to find a book for the 10th grade as part of my American Studies course. While I debated a few books including The Jungle by Upton Sinclair, I chose a relatively easy read with Uprising by Margaret Peterson Haddix. Uprising examines industrialization in the United States specifically dealing with the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire. Industrialization is the first major topic discussed in class. While this book is historical fiction, it does an excellent job of examining the time period, as well as the many struggles and triumphs noticed during industrialization. My primary concerns related to the book included it being fiction and the story being based around three girls. While I believe it was positive for students to read a book from a female perspective, I also dealt with some concerns from parents that their child was unable to relate. Does anyone have suggestions for books related to industrialization that 10th grade students can read during the summer? Overall, I believe using Uprising was a success, but I also believe it could be improved.

Another great website for all subjects!

I really appreciate the provided link to http://www.thinkfinity.org/home provided by Cheryl, thanks it looks like a very useful site!! I also wanted to share a site that has provided many helpful resources including powerpoints, interactive activity links and even very clever free clipart that I use on almost all my handouts!! It's called Pete's Powerpoint Station
www.pppst.com and it has a wide range of subjects.

"History without Reading"

Kristina,
In the essay the author talks about the fact that "we have jobs to do." That being, "it's to teach students to think like historians." I know I certainly want that for my students. He also mentions that we want "them to become independent minded people" which of course, is true but hard to measure with my 10 year olds. Oh, I know he meant ultimately. I think he is spot on. I also agree that it is time for"education" to catch up with technology (certainly in the elementary school) and turn our bland "cold type" into a much, much warmer type. Scoot over "technophobic traditionalists." It's time for you to conform or retire! I agree that we can't afford to keep "ducking our heads in the sand." As educators we must push our administrators and publishers for the necessary technology and training to help our students master the skills they need to succeed in this ever changing world of technology, academic, and social challenges.

ldils

OTHER POWERS (Suffage)

I found a wonderful book about woman's rights movement. It is called Other Powers:The Age of Suffrage, Spiritualism, and the Scandalous Victoria Woodhall by Barbara Goldsmith. This book is easy to read - it actually reads like a novel. In it you will find so many of the people mentioned in our last seminar. It is amazing how many of these famous women were connected and how their stories intertwine. Victoria Woodhull had an interesting life and it makes for an interesting read. After our last seminar, I found myself lacking in knowledge about these women. The Clark County library system has several books you could read, even picture and juvenile books for your students. Monica K.