Last night I was cleaning out my Google Drive and I found a video I had done for the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation in which I demonstrated a quick object-based learning activity. The video was only four minutes. Each day at the beginning of class we began with an object observation activity where students "read" … Continue reading Using Video to Improve Instruction – #BLOG365 #sschat
History Education
Breaking News – #BLOG365 Day 167 #sschat
I let the Ides of March pass without posting about one of my favorite social studies apps and one of my favorite history topics. I loved teaching ancient world history. One of my favorite tools for summarizing key content was the Breaking News Generator from classtools.net. It was an easy exit ticket and a simple … Continue reading Breaking News – #BLOG365 Day 167 #sschat
Mr. Nicky -#BLOG365 Day 156 #sschat
I loved teaching world history. I never thought I would. I have always been a founding era groupie. But, then I had that perfect class, the perfect team to work with, and a subject matter I adored: social studies. That's when I fell in love with teaching world history. I had so much fun with … Continue reading Mr. Nicky -#BLOG365 Day 156 #sschat
Museum Monday: Quick Tips for Using Museum Resources for Teaching-#BLOG365 Day 154 #sschat
I have spent the last 8 years collaborating with countless teachers and students on a museum-integrated approach to learning. It doesn’t take a complete overhaul of your curriculum or your school design to extend learning using museum education strategies. Start with collections Most museums are collecting institutions. Their mission is to collect, preserve, and … Continue reading Museum Monday: Quick Tips for Using Museum Resources for Teaching-#BLOG365 Day 154 #sschat
Museum Monday: President’s Day Edition – #BLOG365 Day 152
In honor of President's Day weekend I figured I would share a funky object I saw last year at the Calvin Coolidge Presidential Library and Museum. A riding machine. Coolidge loved horseback riding and had this installed in the White House. It had two variable gaits "trot" and "gallop." Probably not the kind of exercise … Continue reading Museum Monday: President’s Day Edition – #BLOG365 Day 152
Museum Wednesday…What?-#BLOG Day 150 #museum101
Yes, it is not Monday. And, yes, I am posting about museums. #obsessed In October I shared a creepy doll from the Smithsonian in a Museum Monday post. Today I saw this from #museum101. Museums around the world were challenged to post some of their creepiest objects. I loved watching this unfold and I especially … Continue reading Museum Wednesday…What?-#BLOG Day 150 #museum101
Museum Monday- Writing Museum Labels in the Classroom #BLOG365 Day 148 #sschat
One of the most fascinating discussions I ever had about museum labels was at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum. A few years ago I was lucky enough to take a group of educators to DC for a week of learning in museums. We had the chance to meet with interpretative staff to learn … Continue reading Museum Monday- Writing Museum Labels in the Classroom #BLOG365 Day 148 #sschat
Museum Monday: Object-Based Engagement #BLOG365 Day 145 #sschat
Tonight I had a flashback to my social studies teaching days, to the nights when I sat up in bed searching for the perfect object to hook my students for the next day's lesson. Before I got the hang of it, it took me a lot of hunting online to find an object that would … Continue reading Museum Monday: Object-Based Engagement #BLOG365 Day 145 #sschat
Museum Monday: The Things They Carry-#BLOG365 Day 140 #sschat #museumed
I will never forget my first experience at Ellis Island many years ago. I struggled to connect. I was confused. My great-grandfather had passed through Ellis Island when he immigrated from Hungary. How could I not connect? This was my family's story. As much as I tried to put myself in his shoes, I just couldn't … Continue reading Museum Monday: The Things They Carry-#BLOG365 Day 140 #sschat #museumed
Museum Monday: Protest Objects-#BLOG365 Day 135 #sschat
I still have protest on my mind after this weekend. I also participated in a #sschat this evening. It got my gears turning again around the idea of teaching protest, this time on the object-based learning wheel. It also reminded me of one of my favorite museum blogs, O Say Can You See? Stories From … Continue reading Museum Monday: Protest Objects-#BLOG365 Day 135 #sschat
Jill Cross 