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Moffat's Travels

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I Have A Dream...

8/28/2014

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Today marks the 51st anniversary of the March on Washington. Last year, one of my students greeted me with this wonderful illustration after we we read about it in class. This piece of work is one more reason that I love what I do, because young kids do understand this and are truly interested.  

The book to the right is by one of my all time FAVORITE authors, Kadir  Nelson.  Taking a picture walk through his books is an inspirational journey!  His ability to capture pieces of history is a gift and one that I love sharing with my students.
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National Dog Day

8/26/2014

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National Postal Museum
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Owney on Teachers Pay Teachers
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The timing for National Dog Day happened to be rather perfect.  It's the time of year in first grade that we begin our studies about writing and social studies by learning about Owney, the Railway Mail Dog Mascot.  

I discovered Owney and his wonderful story by reading a picture book and I immediately wanted to know more.  I discovered that Owney now "lives" at the Smithsonian's National Postal Museum.   They have a TON of resources for download including videos, photographs, books and a song. Download it all, it's wonderful.  

Two years ago, I created our own Owney to cut and create in class and added his metal tags that are available from the Smithsonian.  It is one of my favorite projects!  

In honor of National Dog Day, I have uploaded that creation along with some Owney trading cards and other resources to Teachers Pay Teachers and it is FREE!!!  SHARE AWAY and ENJOY!!!
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Happy Birthday to...Althea Gibson

8/25/2014

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One of my favorite silly joys is when Google marks their main page to commemorate a special event.  Happy 87th birthday to Althea Gibson, the first person of color to win a grand slam title.
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Tribute to a friend...

8/24/2014

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Yesterday, it was with great sadness that many of us from our staff attended a funeral of a fellow colleague and great man after his battle against cancer.  I enjoyed teaching our intervention time with Cal on a daily basis as we worked with the benchmark students and did most of our project based studies through a history focus.

Cal grew up in New Orleans in the 1960s and would share stories and his perspective from the South on both desegregation and the Civil War.  I loved handing a book over to him to read with the kids.  He loved to answer and discuss the students' many questions. 

As we were at his service yesterday, his son retold a Cajun story about Thibodeaux and Boudreax that Cal often told around the campfire.  He asked us to forgive his inaccurate Cajun accent and assured us his dad was much better!  I wish that I had heard Cal tell these and the many others that he was so famous for.  Even more so, I wish that I had videoed Cal so that I could share them with my kids for years to come. The Cajun accent and vocabulary are quite challenging as I have tried it myself while reading "Petite Rouge".  

The story below is a favorite Cajun story of mine, however, I much prefer to have the author of the book read it so the accents are accurate.  

I would like to dedicate this post to a dear friend and wonderful man, Cal. We all miss you greatly!

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And so it begins...

8/17/2014

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Every teacher everywhere understands these photos all too well.  For days, we have all been at school working to get our rooms ready for that new group of shining faces that will be there to greet us ready for a new year.  

Over the next few weeks, I will be posting more photos of sections of my room in greater detail so that you can see how history and geography can be such a great learning theme in elementary classrooms.

For all teachers everywhere, have a great first day!  
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Meet Elliette...

8/14/2014

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Since tomorrow night is our Open House/Ice Cream Social, I thought today was a good day to share this note that our former PTA president delivered to me from her daughter.  

Elliette was my student WAY back in Kindergarten and this year she will be entering fifth grade.  She was ever so complimentary, but I couldn't help but to chuckle about her comment about Moffat. After reading the note, I had to go back through all my student pictures to find Elliette in Kindergarten.  The picture is from Western Day while we were studying Texas (hence the longhorn steer).

What makes me smile is the importance that Moffat and his travels brought to the kids and that it is still a fond memory years later!

Thank you Elliette for the very kind note!  I hope you enjoy your last year in elementary schoool!


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On This Day In History...Annie Oakley's Birthday

8/13/2014

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Happy Birthday to Annie Oakley!

For three years, I was fortunate enough to study with a TAH (Teaching American History) group of teachers.  It changed how I look at history and made me even more passionate.

One year, as we were learning how to use PhotoStory, we had one particular instructor who LOVED Annie Oakley.  I, myself, find her very fascinating and love to weave her story in with my tall tales units in my classroom.  The image on the upper right is part of my new timeline/primary source trading cards that will be up on TPT soon. 
 
In the meantime, look at some of my favorite book recommendations and other TPT products from other authors to learn more about Annie.
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History And Science All In One!

8/11/2014

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As I mentioned in my first post, I recently graduated with my masters degree. Interestingly, my degree was not in social studies, but rather integrated math and science.  Last night, this wonderful group of people got together after a very relaxing summer without our professors (sorry Paul) checking up on the progress of our papers. It was great to catch up before the new school year begins.  The image above was taken a year ago while we were out one day learning to take data and measurements out in the field.

Now, being the social studies person on our team, it was interesting finding a topic to do my research paper on since I don't teach the science.  Then, I discovered Teddy Roosevelt's observational science journal that he created at age nine and they are DIGITIZED and my problem was solved!!  WOO-HOO! Inspiration!  This gave me the opportunity to have the students analyze the primary source documents and see the journal as an inspiration for their own writing.  Over the course of three months, the kids learned not only about Teddy and his love of nature, but they also developed their own observational science skills and regularly responded in their journal.  
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Above: single page from TR's journal at nine years old.  The entire journal can be downloaded from the Theodore Roosevelt Center at Dickinson State University at http://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/Research/Digital-Library/Record.aspx?libID=o280234

Below: slideshow of student work in their "Teddy Roosevelt" observational science journals. Image for the front cover can be found at  http://tr.amnh.org/printout courtesy of the American Museum of Natural History.
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New School Clothes By Ben

8/7/2014

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Tell me and I forget.
Teach me and I will remember.
Involve me and I learn.
                      - Benjamin Franklin
This post is dedicated to all my NEH Benjamin Franklin Buddies!  I am sending you new school clothing virtually (oh how I wish).

I first learned more about Ben and his amazing life while attending a National Endowment for the Humanities Summer Seminar in 2011. Before this experience (which I will tell more stories of), I had very little understanding of the truly incredible life led by Benjamin Franklin.  I love this quote by him, because as a teacher, it is a great inspiration for us as we begin a new school year.

Involve your children and they will learn! Have a great year!!!
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If you would like to learn more about Benjamin Franklin and his amazing life, click the link above.

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Thank you to my former student, Ava, who very kindly dropped this surprise package on my doorstep.  You are so thoughtful!!!  I can't wait to wear it!
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Meet Jackson...and why he likes history!

8/5/2014

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I have been looking forward to sharing the kids from my class, their work and their perspectives with you for quite awhile.  

With that being said, I'd like you to meet Jackson, a delightful young man in my first grade class this last year.  We both share a love for the same president (look at his hat for a clue) and would have many conversations about him.  I remember Jackson's mom being excited about our classroom studies because his curiosity came home and the family enjoyed learning more from Jackson as well as wanting to learn more about history.  

I recently asked Jackson's mom if he would send me a small note as to why he likes history.  As you can see from his writing, aren't his thoughts exactly what we hope all kids grasp on to?  To have the understanding that we are all different and that we all have stories each other can learn from is such a powerful, lifelong concept.  Love this!

On a different note, what kid wouldn't think throwing water balloons off the White House roof to be cool? Can't wait to see what Jackson has read about this summer!!!
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BOOK RECOMMENDATION: buy it on Amazon
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    Christy Howard
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    Passionate about photography, travel and teaching social studies to young learners.

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  • Moffat's Blog
  • About
  • My Support People
  • Geography in the Classroom
  • History In The Classroom
  • Diverse Kids
  • Honors and Continued Work
  • #Blog365
  • #historymakers