Digging For Educational Roots: Class Room Based Assessments

Showing posts with label Class Room Based Assessments. Show all posts

Saturday, September 15, 2012

Columbia Kids Website

I have been waiting for the perfect time to read and experience the Columbia Kids website. "A Salish Legend of Mt. Rainier" became on of my favorite Washington legends. The village children want to hear a legend of long ago, but they have to promise to take a river bath in "exchange for the old man's story." Also, there is a great article about Fay Fuller's climb to the top of Mt. Rainier. Fay actually "pounded nails through the bottom of her shoes" to help with traction problems. Columbia Kids is a great website for kids and educators!!

Sunday, September 9, 2012

Washington Historic Places and Research

"Honey, did we just pass a historical sign?” I am curious and desperate to ask the most important question. “What did it say?" My husband's shoulders show me that he was not paying attention. I wish I could stop at each historical marker, cemetery, and site we see on our family vacations. I am quite sure that my husband and son would not consider studying history "a family vacation." Take a friend or a family member and enjoy finding out more about Washington State history. Happy digging for those of you who love history! Looking for historical photos of Washington. The Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture has large online photo archive site. Enjoy digging and researching!

Below are resources for you to pick and choose from.

Find a Historical Place in Washington

Markers and Monuments

Washington Historic Place

Washington Cemetery Records

Washington Museum Directory

Washington Scenic Byways and Road Trips

Washington State Historical Society

Carbonneau Castle

Friday, August 31, 2012

Washington History: Women Who Impacted the Northwest

I have found that my classroom history text could use more biographical information, especially the history of Washington women leaders. “Bold Spirit” is one of my favorite stories. Author Linda Hunt explains Helga Estby’s 1896 “walk across America.” What motivated Helga to walk across the country? Did she make it to the end? The rest of the details can be found in this book. Helga’s journey was taken before “Racing the Planet,” “Survivor,” and “Dual Survivor" became popular.

WashingtonWomen’s History

Esther Clark Short (December 25, 1845)

Helga Estby (1860-1942)

More Information

May Arkwright Hutton (1860—1915)

Bertha Pitts Campbell (1889-1990)

Dorothy Stimson Bullitt (1892-1989)

Elizabeth Ayer (1897-1987)

More Information

Roberta Byrd Barr (1919-1993)

Gold Fever in the Northwest

So many textbooks focus on the California Gold Rush. I tend to focus on “Gold Fever in the Northwest.” It is hard to ignore names such as "Soapy Smith," George Washington Carmack, and Erastus Brainerd. Some of these men were considered heroes and others were considered “con men.” Many of these sites do have teacher lesson plans. The University of Washington has a wonderful site called, "Klondike Gold Rush: The Perilous Journey North." This topic is full of adventure, challenge, and discovery. Watch out! This topic could be contagious.