What do comfortable clothes, a computer, a long school break, and professional development have in common? Engaged teachers in the Digital Age. Over this past winter break, several TMI faculty members were able to participate in the annual Ditch That Textbook Digital Summit (Ditch Summit), a nine-day virtual event held every December that brings together … Continue reading #ttlsummit in action @teachtolead #DitchSummit part of the new era of professional development: Guest post by @kwfaulk and @lucyduncunedu #TMILearns
Informal Learning
It’s Been a Long Day – #BLOG365 Day 269 @TOPTeachGermany #TOPStudyTour
It's been a long day. But, I got a ton accomplished. Now that I finally have a moment to sit at the end of the day, I am reminiscing about my first evening in Germany and our TOP Study Tour visit to Krenzers Apple Wine Press. We had the most wonderful tour of the apple … Continue reading It’s Been a Long Day – #BLOG365 Day 269 @TOPTeachGermany #TOPStudyTour
Museum Monday: The Power of Objects to Tell Stories – #BLOG365 Day 267 #TOPStudyTour @TOPTeachGermany
While at Neungamme Concentration Camp we heard an amazing story of the power of an object to tie individuals together and transcend cultures. One object held a narrative of the bravery in a time of incredible horror. Our guide shared the story of Fritz Bringmann, a prisoner in Neuengamme arrested for high treason. He was caught … Continue reading Museum Monday: The Power of Objects to Tell Stories – #BLOG365 Day 267 #TOPStudyTour @TOPTeachGermany
Do You Know What a Trabi Is? – #BLOG365 Day 266 #TOPStudyTour @TOPTeachGermany
On day one of our Transatlantic Outreach Program #TOPStudyTour we were hit with the Trabi during a visit to the Point Alpha Memorial. I have to admit, I didn't know the Trabi by name when I first saw it. Sure, I had seen them in news footage. But, I didn't know anything about them. So, … Continue reading Do You Know What a Trabi Is? – #BLOG365 Day 266 #TOPStudyTour @TOPTeachGermany
Museum Monday: Sidewalk Historical Interpretation – #BLOG365 Day 263 @TOPTeachGermany #TOPStudyTour
Over two weeks in Germany I saw countless historical markers, commemorating important events or pointing out places of interest. But, about halfway through my trip I started to notice that many of the signage looked more like museum interpretative panels than the typical historical markers we are used to seeing in the United States. Here's … Continue reading Museum Monday: Sidewalk Historical Interpretation – #BLOG365 Day 263 @TOPTeachGermany #TOPStudyTour
I Learned a Funny Thing or Two on My #TOPStudyTour – #BLOG365 Day 262 @TOPTeachGermany
I learned a funny thing or two in Germany on my TOP Study Tour... Asparagus is a big deal in Germany in the summer. Germans prefer the white variety that grows from April to June and you can find it on almost any seasonal menu. I look for my asparagus at home to have a … Continue reading I Learned a Funny Thing or Two on My #TOPStudyTour – #BLOG365 Day 262 @TOPTeachGermany
Historical Memory: Part One – #BLOG365 Day 258 #TOPStudyTour @TOPTeachGermany
During my visit with the Transatlantic Outreach Program, we stumbled upon St. Nikolai Church Memorial during our first walk through Hamburg. The spire towered above the other buildings in Hamburg as the fifth highest church in the world. At first I thought it was under renovation, but as we got closer our guide explained that although … Continue reading Historical Memory: Part One – #BLOG365 Day 258 #TOPStudyTour @TOPTeachGermany
The Power of Play: German Edition – #BLOG365 Day 257 @TOPTeachGermany #TopStudyTour
When I applied to be part of the Transatlantic Outreach Program Study Tour to Germany I had to craft a lesson based on a recent news article about some aspect of German life or culture. We had a handful to choose from and, of course, I chose the one on playgrounds in Germany. The article … Continue reading The Power of Play: German Edition – #BLOG365 Day 257 @TOPTeachGermany #TopStudyTour
TOP Travel Lessons – #BLOG365 Day 254 #TOPStudyTour @TOPTeachGermany
Two weeks in Germany. Fifteen social studies educators. Two German guides. Four hotels. Three train trips. Countless rides on public transportation of all types. A record of 26,000 steps in one day. And a load of lessons learned. Always take a jacket. I didn't. I had a few sweaters. But, they didn't cut it. The … Continue reading TOP Travel Lessons – #BLOG365 Day 254 #TOPStudyTour @TOPTeachGermany
Museum Monday: Object Stories – #BLOG365 Day 241
Not the first time I write about object stories here. Probably not the last either. Today I began packing for our new adventure and I found an old favorite, Significant Objects. Imagine buying a small bauble at a thrift store and then creating a story to go along with it. A story of its origin and … Continue reading Museum Monday: Object Stories – #BLOG365 Day 241
Jill Cross 