Accessing Databases for Primary Sources

When I was in my high school social studies classes I was never exposed to primary sources and the importance of these types of sources. When I came to college and began studying history, I was exposed to so many different databases that provide primary sources that would be helpful to write papers and develop a thesis for these papers. For example, Montclair State provides databases like the New York Times and New York Times historical so students can have access to historical and recent newspaper articles. This allows me as a history major to find articles throughout history from the New York-New Jersey areas. It was unfortunate that I was not able to use databases like these in high school because it can make a historical topic so much more interesting. By being able to see the actual article or document, students can get a better idea of the time period through the language and possible pictures that may be available. I think it would be very important to expose my students to these kind of databases so they can have access to primary sources.
As a future Social Studies teacher I feel that it is necessary for students to learn how to use databases like the ones I have used throughout my education. Thinking back to the remixed canvas' that we recently just did, I think it would be really useful to collaborate with a technology/computer teacher to develop a unit that allows students to work with databases but in reference to finding historical primary sources. When thinking about a unit that would be useful, I would assign my students activities throughout the unit asking them to work with the databases to find specific information that could only be found through a primary source. At the end of the unit as a summative assessment, I would have my students write a paper that could be based on any historical topic they found interesting, but they would be required to use a certain amount of primary sources that they got through using the databases. This would allow the students to show both their understanding of the historical topic and how successfully they can use the databases and primary sources.

Collaboration Canvas

I really enjoyed remixing the unit on clay animation with a social studies unit. Usually, social studies is not seen as a creative subject area because of the factual information, lectures, and writing. I thought it would be a good idea to take a unit plan that would not normally fit into a social studies classroom. As soon as I saw the clay animation last week when commenting through classmates canvas', I knew that I would be able to take this unit and collaborate it with a social studies unit. I thought it would be interesting to have students create an important part of the Civil War through a clay animated video. I thought of this collaboration as more of a summative assessment where students would have to use the skills they learned in art class and the information they used in the history class. Some examples that students could use would be any battle involved in the war, one of Lincoln's speeches, the lifestyle in the North vs. the South, etc. With this collaboration, students will be able to use creativity to show their understanding of the Civil War.
I did not remove anything from the original unit. I added the Civil War aspect to the unit to collaborate the social studies class. I thought that it was important to keep the basis of the original unit so students would know how to create clay animation. I really hope one day I can do a unit like this so my students can understand that creative classes can be collaborated with more traditional classes.
http://www.play.annenberginnovationlab.org/play2.0/challenge.php?idChallenge=2693&mode=view#network6

Google Maps in the Social Studies Classroom

         In my READ411 class, we began discussing technology and its influence over the classroom. As an example of how technology can help students in the classroom without distracting them was Google maps. As a small assignment, we were required to place a marker on a map created by our professor to show that we could use the technology and how it can be helpful for students. I saw this helpful for myself as a student but also as a social studies teacher. Whether it be for the geography portion of class or for the history part, Google maps can be an interesting way for students to become interactive with the material. It was very easy as a student to go into Google maps and place a marker on the map with a description and a link to a picture of the place I was marking. Since I would like to be a middle school or high school teacher, I think that using Google maps will be an easier and better way for students to understand maps and destinations.
         I saw Google maps particularly important for the geography portions of a social studies class. For example, Google maps allows the person to move throughout the map themselves, at their own pace, as well as manipulating it to any position that they would like. By having complete control over the map, the student can get a sense of the destinations surroundings. Also, the map is clearly colored and easy to read, as well as the option of zooming in and out to get a better idea about what each section says. Rather than having a boring worksheet that just shows one perspective and may be hard to read, Google maps gives the students more opportunities to understand the map and all the places on it.  I think that is important for the geography part of a social studies class for a student to have full control over the maps they are working with so they can manipulate and interact with it anyway they need to.
          As for the history portion of a social studies class, maps are just as important as the geography part. When discussing wars and locations of big events or specific battles, Google maps can be very important to show the students where these took place. Google maps will allow me as a teacher to move throughout the map and it will give students perspective on distance between battles and and attacks involved in the war. Maps have always been an important aspect of a social studies class but technology has helped maps become a more interactive concept for students.