Digging For Educational Roots: research

Showing posts with label research. Show all posts

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.

Klondike Gold Rush 1897:

Teacher Lesson Plans:

History Information:

Historylink #2

Carbonneau Castle

Stampeder Genealogy:

Information

Chilkoot Trail:

Site #1

Extra:

Site #1

Northern Idaho, 1881-1942:

Sunday, August 26, 2012

Living History: Part 2

What would happen if students dressed up as characters from history and interacted with other local historical characters? This is what happens in our classroom each year. Students are persuaded to choose characters not found in a history book, but to investigate and discover stories from within our own community. It sounds tough and it is! This classroom based assessment (CBA) project is rewarding for the students, teachers, and community members.

Our students did not memorize a speech, but had to dig into primary sources, documents, and interviews to help develop the character. Many of the students selected a family member, homesteader, politician, Tribal Elder, family member, and much more. Seeing and hearing first-hand accounts allowed the students to learn so much more about history.

Preparation:

Timeline Lesson (making connections)

personal timeline

1. Introduce primary sources

2. Learn to analyze primary documents

3. Develop interview questions

a. Interview a friend

4. Develop research questions

a. How to use the library

5. Research and note taking (Research PowerPoint is developed by Tracy Dick)

6. Write a letter through your characters eyes.

7. Teacher demonstrates a character example/skit

8. Students practice character with peers

9. Living History Day (more information available at our TPT store. http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Liz-And-Ron

Sample Parent Letter

Friday, August 10, 2012

Northwest History: Early Missionaries

This week my reading has been more focused on the early missionaries. These missionaries demonstrated a strong vision, motivation, and determination to overcome many obstacles. Many of these stories are filled with conflict and reconciliation. The primary documents are housed in library archives, but the collection overviews are very detailed.

Spalding Church

Catholic Missionaries:

Father. Peter DeSmet

Reverend. Joseph Cataldo, S.J established missions in Idaho, Eastern Washington, Montana, northeastern Oregon, Alaska, and California. He also founded Gonzaga University in 1887.