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
Museum Learning
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
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
Museum Monday: Point Alpha – Day 253 #BLOG365 #TOPStudyTour @TopTeachGermany
Two Mondays ago I was at Point Alpha on the Inner German border near Geisa. I knew from the moment I got there I had to blog about the interpretative strategies in the museum. The Point Alpha foundation was established to be a place of commemoration and learning in 2008. For years it was the … Continue reading Museum Monday: Point Alpha – Day 253 #BLOG365 #TOPStudyTour @TopTeachGermany
#TOPStudyTour Day Two – #BLOG365 Day 251 @topteachgermany
Among my the many things I am learning in Germany, I am learning patience. I can't get the Wi-Fi to work on my computer so I am completing blog posts on my phone. Hopefully tomorrow, in another hotel, I won't have this problem. I am reading and rereading my posts, but I am sure there … Continue reading #TOPStudyTour Day Two – #BLOG365 Day 251 @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
Museum Monday: Museums of All Kinds- #BLOG365 Day 231
When my son was in first grade he created a museum in our home, complete with gallery spaces and rules like "don't let your animals use the bathroom in the museum." In his gallery spaces he organized his collections. He created label copy. Admission fees were posted. There really is a museum for everything. People … Continue reading Museum Monday: Museums of All Kinds- #BLOG365 Day 231
Museum Monday on a Wednesday – #BLOG365 Day 227
On Monday I had the opportunity to go to the Alamo. It was a fabulous experience, one I never thought I would have. It was a chance to connect my understanding of Florida history with Texas history and, most importantly, a chance to check out new exhibitions and objects. In 2010 I traveled to … Continue reading Museum Monday on a Wednesday – #BLOG365 Day 227
Jill Cross 