Call for Lesson Plans

The Society of Historians of American Foreign Relations (SHAFR) is looking for contributors to a new series of lesson plans for secondary teachers. Topics for lesson plans include The Louisiana Purchase, War of 1812: Another War for Independence?, Slavery and Civil War Diplomacy, The Marshall Plan, and FDR and Great Britain in the 1930s.

To be considered as a contributing editor for one or more of the topics, please submit a one paragraph summary of how you would approach the topic and a brief C.V. to SHAFR. For more information and submittal details, visit http://www.shafr.org/teaching/secondary-education/.

took pre-test

I took the pre-test and had about 18 minutes left in the 50 minute time period allotted.

Back to History is back!

For 2010/2011 Back to History will be offering on-line courses (webinars) with curriculum based on academic content standards for grades 9-12. Webinars are interactive sessions that will feature engaging content-focused presentations from Ohio State's history faculty, primary source presentations with a project curator, and a guided discussion of taking content and primary sources into the classroom.

Please apply by September 17, 2010. Preference will be given to applicants teaching high school; however, any social studies teacher is welcome to apply. Applications, webinar dates, and additional information can be found here.

What would Woody say?

Find out by listening to an interview with University of Richmond historian Woody Holton, who discusses Abigail Adams and the role of women in the creation of the American republic. Guest host Ed Lentz speaks to Professor Holton on the June 16, 2010 All Sides with Ann Fisher on WOSU radio.

The Massachusetts Historical Society's Adams Family Papers contains over 1,100 digitized letters written between John and Abigail Adams beginning in 1762.

Civil War Book Recommendations

Anthony Gibbs mentioned yesterday following his presentation "Fighting for Freedom: The Story of the United States Colored Troops" (USCT) that he uses Blood, Tears and Glory: How Ohioans Won the Civil War by James Bissland and The Negro in the Civil War by Benjamin Quarles for his research. Check them out. Also, Justin mentioned This Republic of Suffering: Death and the American Civil War by Drew Gilpin Faust during his presentation on traveling trunks.

Searching and Finding

Happy first day of Summer Institute 2010! Here are some additional websites that might help you in searching for materials:

Smithsonian Institution Libraries - has digital collections but also this fantastic search engine that contains a database of online exhibitions most of which have digitized primary sources. Also search the general Smithsonian Institution. There are a lot of museums and each has a rich collection.

The Library of Congress is always a fantastic source. In addition to the American Memory there are several other digital collections on this main page.

The National Archives has a variety of digital sources. I found this site especially helpful in making the Cold War primary source activity - but they have much more.

If you have a Revolutionary War topic check out the historical societies and universities in states that are former colonies - Maine Memory Network, Virginia University, Virginia Historical Society are sites I have used in the past.

For all topics check out universities and college libraries. You often don't have to be a student or faculty to access their digital collections. Look for key terms like "Digital Collections", "Special Collections", "Online Exhibitions".

When searching start with more general terms and try synonyms. For example, if you can't find anything searching for WWII try searching World War II. Be patient and creative with searches. You might not find what you want right away and you might find something else useful while you search. Remember - you don't have to present on every aspect of a topic. Narrow your topic and what you plan to present. It will make the process easier if you stay focused.

Ohio Chautauqua

Do not miss the opportunity to be educated and entertained by the Ohio Chautauqua troupe as they explore the lives of individuals who helped shape the 1930s. The scholars will assume the roles of W.C. Fields, Margaret Mitchell, Paul Robeson, Eleanor Roosevelt, and Orson Wells for evening performances under the chautauqua tent. My favorite part is when they field questions from the audience while still in character. Each scholar also presents daytime workshops for children and adults.

Ohio Chautauqua: The 1930s will be in Marysville from July 27-31 and travel to three other Ohio communities throughout the summer. More information is available from the Ohio Humanities Council.

Hope you had a lovely 3-day weekend...

In the spirit of Memorial Day and in anticipation of the upcoming Summer Institute I thought I would share some websites I have come across while putting together the primary source activities and CD. These websites remind us of the importance of honoring our veterans and also have a little something for each of the project topics.

The Price of Freedom: Americans at War, Smithsonian National Museum of American History
Battle Lines: Letters from American Wars, Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History
Veteran's History Project, Library of Congress

I hope you all find something exciting and useful!

American Revolution: Experience of Women

Hey high school teachers. I have a question regarding the American Revolutionary War. As I have began my research for our summer institute, I began to wonder how our subject is taught today. I am a third grade teacher so I do not touch anything close to the American Rev. War. Our topic is the effects of women in the war. I do not remember learning anything about this when I went to school, but I am hoping this has changed. Is women in the American Rev. War mentioned in your curriculum or is it an area that is still neglected. I was just curious after doing some light research.

Teaching Military History

In addition to operational history, military history includes the study of foreign policy, immigration legislation, the role of minorities, economics, and more. The Foreign Policy Research Institute programs on teaching military history provides streaming video and audio of speakers from a variety of events from America in the Civil War Era to The Cold War Revisited and associated classroom lessons. Visit the site here.