Speaking of American History

Problems with "History of US"
http://www.textbookleague.org/121hakm.htm

Student questions for "History of US"
http://www.sonlight.com/120-02H.html

Cast Your Vote: Logo for Crossroads of the American Revolution National Heritage Area

Vote for the logo for Crossroads of the American Revolution National Heritage Area
I know which ones I like best. Winner to be announced July 4th.

"Our state of New Jersey has more than 500 farmlands, hillsides and homesteads that played some part, saw some action in the American Revolution. Our Revolutionary War heritage - perhaps more significant than that of any other state - has been federally recognized by the designation of the Crossroads of the American Revolution Nation Heritage Area in New Jersey - one of America's 40 congressional delegation, two New Jersey governors, and the Crossroads of the American Revolution Association (Crossroads). "

There's newsletter and a free online guide.

Civil War Student challenge - prcatice or register now

HISTORY® and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt invite high school students to compete for scholarships in the National Civil War Student Challenge as part of the commemoration of the Civil War's Sesquicentennial this April.
The National Civil War Student Challenge is a timed online competition that will test a student's knowledge of this pivotal chapter of American history—over $30,000 in college scholarships will be awarded to the top-scorers. The Challenge takes place online from April 7-9; students can register today.

State History Fair: May 7, 2011

Have you ever participated in a Revolutionary War military drill? Or
had the chance to plow a furrow? What about spinning wool on a real
spinning wheel? These are just a few of dozens of historical exhibits
and activities that will be featured when the "Spirit of the Jerseys
State History Fair" returns from a one-year hiatus in May 2011.

The History Fair will move from its previous home at Washington
Crossing State Park to a new venue at the Historic Village at Allaire,
Allaire State Park, Farmingdale, in Monmouth County. It will be held
on Saturday, May 7, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

"New Jersey has such a rich and important history, and played such a
key role in the founding of our nation,'' said Department of
Environmental Protection Commissioner Bob Martin. "We're pleased to
bring back this annual event to engage our residents and allow them to
experience and enjoy hundreds of years of our state's history in a
suitable and enjoyable setting."

The Spirit of the Jerseys State History Fair was first held in 2004 to
celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the creation of the New Jersey's historic
sites system. It proved very popular, drawing more than 5,000 visitors in
2009. In 2008, the History Fair received an award of recognition from the
New Jersey Historical Commission for its leadership role in promoting the
State's history.

The free event was cancelled this year due to limited resources. It will be
revived next year under the joint sponsorship of the DEP's Office of
Historic Sites and the non-profit Allaire Village Inc. Organizers believe
the new venue at Allaire will be a fitting site for historical groups to
showcase their town or community history and its importance to New Jersey.

"There was so much interest from exhibitors and park visitors that we felt
there was enough appeal to revive the fair," said Beverly Weaver,
supervisor of the DEP's Office of Historic Sites. "The fair helps
cultivate the public's awareness of New Jersey's history in a lively,
engaging way.''

The new setting at Allaire State Park is well-known for its historic 19th
century iron making town, the Howell Iron Works Company, and the antique
train that runs through it on the Pine Creek Railroad. Also, the Manasquan
River winds through the park, which is a habitat for a wide variety of
wildflowers, trees, plants, birds and other wildlife.

Some groups, already registered to participate in the 2011 History Fair,
include the Genealogical Society of New Jersey, New Jersey State Archives,
Montclair Historical Society, Alice Paul Institute, New Jersey Civil War
Heritage Association, New Jersey Lighthouse Society, Monmouth Battlefield
State Park, New Jersey Scout Museum, Egg Harbor City Historical Society
and the Wool Merchant's Daughter.

Weaver also said visitors will be able to meet Civil War "veterans," observe
open-hearth cooking and explore the craft of blacksmithing. There will
even be paranormal investigators from the Shore Paranormal Research
Society of Toms River, who will detail work they have done at some
historic locations in New Jersey.

Also among activities that visitors can experience is a period baseball
game. Next year's fair will once again feature the Flemington Neshanocks,
a 19th century baseball club. They will play the Elizabeth Resolutes using
1864 rules. Players will wear uniforms and use equipment that reflects
this time period.

For continuous updates on the 2011 Spirit of the Jerseys State History Fair
visit: www.njhistoryfair.org.

For general questions, call (732) 919-3500. If you're interested in
participating as an exhibitor, you can apply electronically at the fair's
website or call (609) 777-0238.

Petty's Run & Old Barracks in Trenton

The future of Petty's Run in Trenton is uncertain, although it seems the state has money earn-marked only for this archaeological site. Article from 27 Nov. 2010: Lt. Gov Guadagno wants archeological dig on NJ statehouse lawn buried. Angry preservationists charge she considers New Jersey historic site an ‘eyesore'. By Tom Herster Sr. NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM

For more on Petty's Run, visit: http://www.pettysrun.org/

The rest of this is on the nearby Old Barracks Museum.

Special Events "Patriot's Week": Dec 26 & 28 in 2010.

The Old Barracks is located in downtown Trenton, next to the New Jersey State House, and is easily accessible. Parking information is provided by Trenton Downtown Association.

As of November 2010, the Old Barracks is open every day (except Thanksgiving, Dec, 24, 25, Jan 1st & Easter) from 10 am - 5pm, providing tours for small groups and individuals. (For groups of more than 15, please call ahead.) $8 for adults; $6 for seniors & Students with IDs. NJ TRANSIT offers service on the River Line to Trenton Station and can connect with any Capital Connection bus (601, 606, 608, 609) for service to the Old Barracks Museum. Passengers should get off at West State Street, far side of the Willow Street bus stop and walk 1/2 block south to the museum. Visit www.njtransit.com or call 973-275-5555.

History of the Old Barracks

Geo Washington Reenactment

Although the park was all but closed last year, thanks to the Bucks County Visitors Bureau, the beloved Christmas Day reenactment that has to do with the birth of America, not the birth of Christ, will live on.

• Saturday, December 4, 7pm -2nd Annual Save the Crossing FundraiserLocation: Crossing Vineyards & Winery, 1853 Wrightstown Road, Washington Crossing, PA. 215-493-6500 crossingvineyards.com . Fees: Tickets $100 Per Person. Proceeds support the reenactment of George Washington’s Christmas Day crossing of the Delaware. Heavy Hors d’Oeuvres, wine, beer, spirits, music, and a live auction. Tickets may be purchased at Crossing Vineyards or by visiting crossingvineyards.com. Can't attend? Please consider a donation!
  
  
• December 12, 11am-3pm -Crossing Dress RehearsalFees: Fees charged. Full-blown re-enactment of the crossing with Military impressions, period building open and period demonstrations throughout the day.
  
  
• December 25, 1pm -Christmas Day Crossing Join us in honoring the soldiers of 1776 as we recreate their heroic Crossing of the Delaware. Wear warm clothes, arrive early and be prepared to walk a bit from parking as we always have a full house to celebrate the holiday in this patriotic fashion.

George Washington Crosses the Delaware

at Washington Crossing, PA

12/9/2007 - dress rehearsal, The event/village activities will occur from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, with the crossing time occurring around 1:00 pm. (2nd Sunday of December)

On Christmas day the crossing will occur around 1:00 pm. The Visitor Center opens around 11:00 am and will close at 3:00 pm. The village
houses are not open on this day as all activity will occur at the river. (Christmas Day)

Washington Crossing Historic Park is generally open Tuesday-Saturday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm & Sunday 12:00 to 5:00 pm. (Hours and tour availability are subject to change without notice.)

Tickets: $5.00 per adult, $4.00 Seniors/AAA, $2.00 ages 6-17, under 6 is free. (Special event fees and school children group fees may vary.) Bring your valid adult ticket from another site within the Pennsylvania Historic and Museum Commission and receive a $1.00 off your admission at Washington Crossing Historic Park.

Guided tours of the McKonkey Ferry Inn section and the Thompson-Neely section occur everyday but Monday and select holidays/special events. Tours begin on the hour at 9:00, 10:00, 11:00, 1:00, 2:00, 3:00, and 4:00. During winter months, tours may conclude earlier in the day due to low light levels in the historic structures.

A tour of the McKonkey Ferry Inn section is approximately one hour in length. Allow 30 minutes to tour the Thompson-Neely House. The Thompson-Neely grist mill is open seasonally for tours. Allow additional time to tour the grist mill.

See, Washington Crossing, Annual Crossing Visit for more details or go here for directions.

Other 2007 Events at Washington Crossing included: -

Cooking for our First President - Sat., February 17, 2007, 10:00 am to 3:00 pm and Sun., February 18, 2007, 11:00 am to 4:00 pm.

His Majesty's Troops - Sat. and Sun. March 10 and 11, 2007, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. Musket firing & drilling; Posting of the guard; Preparing their kits for the march; Open-hearth cooking; and Period field music.

(Annual) Colonial Days for groups (esp. for 3-5th graders) - Colonial Days take place Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays from late March through early November. The group must have an arrival time between 9:30 and 10:00 am and must be able to stay at least 2½ to 3½ hours.

NJ History - live

Looking for about 30 more area 6th graders to read NJ's favorite and most dynamic history teacher's latest book - Uncertain Revolution. The author, John Cunningham will be ready to speak to them about it on:

3 p.m. Sunday February 24, 2008
Church of the Redeemer, Morristown, NJ

(Yes, that's 2 extra weeks to read the book! the January 31st talk was postponed.) Volcanic eruptions! Smallpox plague! Gore, scheming, riots! Last month he kept 167 of us on the edge of our seats. By the end see if you agree that Morristown was the most important place to the Patriots' Revolutionary War's success. He'll also sign and sell books. Any 6th grader who listens to the talk (it lasts an hour) may enter his or her name in a drawing for a $50 Morristown Partnership gift certificate. The drawing is held right after the speech, and certificate handed over immediately...just in time for holiday shopping.

See also the NJ History Contest for 6th graders (just read the book!) The name of any 6th grader who reads John Cunningham's Uncertain Revolution will be entered in a Sunday, February 24th drawing for 100,000 Continental Frequent Flyer miles. One winner only. We just need names sooner - to make the contest come true. Names will not be used for anything else!

NJ History Contest - 6th graders

Read a book and get a chance to earn 100,000 frequent flyer miles! As described in The Daily Record - but you heard it here first! NJ's favorite history teacher has a new book out & your 6th grader has a nice incentive to read it.

If we can get 100 names of 6th grader who reads John Cunningham's Uncertain Revolution, they will be entered in a 24th February drawing for 100,000 Continental frequent Flyer miles. One winner only. As long as we can get the names of at least 100 6th graders to award the 100,000 miles. If fewer 6th graders participate, the number of miles donated will depend on the number of participants, i.e. if 67 6th graders read the book and enter their names, 67,000 miles will be awarded. The book lists a $25 but it available at amazon.com for $17 - and at your library for far less, or contact Betsy to get a discounted copy!

Why are we doing this? One mom, knowing that her 6th grader would start their Revolutionary War unit in February, heard that Mr. Cuningham would speak on Morristown's role, and tagged along to a talk in December 2007. In a scant hour, he had 167 of us on the edge of our seats as he proved that Morristown was the most important place to the Patriots' Revolutionary War's success. Volcanic eruptions! Smallpox plague! Gore, scheming, riots! Perfect fodder for 6th graders to feel like history is cool, and so is Morristown. Even remarkable teens are in the tale: who knew Hamilton and Lafayette were teens when they went to work for Washington during the war? She wanted to kick herself for not taking her son to the talk. Instead of me telling him about it, he could have heard it with no expectations for himself.

Mr. Cunninham's new book on this topic-how Morristown is the most important place in America to the success of Revolution-is terrific. It's accessible and action packed. I smell one of those rare opportunities to get kids really vested in their communities...and history. In local history. The FMS social studies textbook notes only that Washington moved his headquarters to Morristown at some point, and spends a full page on the terrible winter at Valley Forge. Turns out the winter at Valley Forge was one of the mildest, and the 4 harshest winters of the war were spent in Joisey: 3 in Morristown. Not only is Cunningham a fabulous raconteur both in person and in print, but it will be sort of cool for the kids to challenge what they read in the textbook, and realize that a textbook is just a starting place. School learning can be fleshed out in so many ways.

Reading level: It's not written for middle schoolers, but strong readers in 6th grade can manage the book themselves. I think it's a great read-a-loud book for families or reading circles. Reading circles: next e-mail. This is a cool idea as well. Please, please pass this on to names you don't see on this list. We'd like to reach out to every 6th grader in the area.

To get a reduced price copy of the book: "Morristown area sixth-graders can get a reduced-cost copy of John Cunningham's local history book, The Uncertain Revolution, or can join a reading circle to hear the book read to them, by leaving a message for Betsy Harvin at (973) 451-1097 or at betsychina@aol.com"

John Cunningham also spoke on the book, Tuesday, November 27th at 4:30 pm at the Morris County Parks office on Mendham Road. The 6th graders attending entered their name in a drawing for a $50 Morristown Partnership gift certificate - it was handed that night ... just in time for holiday shopping.

Last updated: 1/7/2008

American History: Morristown

Morristown National Historical Park exhibit seeks to answer Why was Morristown a Revolutionary Stronghold?

Morristown National Historical Park offers a curriculum-based educational program entitled: From Farming Village to Log Hut City: Morristown During the American Revolution 1770-1780 for 4th and 5th graders, but it looks like teachers must go through a one-day program before their class can attend. (Send them request in September for the same school year.)

Their primer says:
"During two critical winters of the Revolutionary War, 1777 and 1779–80, the countryside in and around Morristown, New Jersey, sheltered the main encampments of the American Continental Army and served as the headquarters of its commander-in-chief, General George Washington. The National Park Service at Morristown National Historical Park preserves sites in the Morristown area occupied by the Continental Army and interprets the history and subsequent commemoration of these encampments and the extraordinary fortitude of the officers and enlisted men under Washington’s leadership."

"General Washington twice chose Morristown due to its strategic location, including proximity to New York City, defensible terrain, important communication routes, access to critical resources, and a supportive community. The park encompasses ground occupied by the army during the vast 1779-80 encampment, and the site of the fortification from the 1777 encampment. The Ford Mansion, where Washington made his headquarters, is an important feature of the park and recalls civilian contributions to the winning of independence."

"The national park consists of four non-contiguous units: Washington’s Headquarters with the Ford Mansion and Headquarters Museum, the Fort Nonsense Unit, the Jockey Hollow Unit, and the New Jersey Brigade Area. The Jockey Hollow Unit includes the Wick house (headquarters of General Arthur St. Clair), five reconstructed soldier huts, and approximately 27 miles of walking trails.
"

Pre-dig Days: Italian Renaissance

Pre-dig Days: Italian Renaissance (for 5 – 12 year olds)

This year we decided to focus on the artists and scientists of the period before the dig. We have found that the more we know, the more we get out of a Dig, although there is lots of be learned if one just walks in too! Here is a possible schedule, of course it would vary with the ages and interests of the people involved.

Day 1 – 10 – 2pm – Art & Artists

Bring your own ‘bag’ lunch. Tentative schedule!

1. Brief introduction to the period – perhaps with a time line and black line maps

2. (?) intro to art & artists – by ?

3. daVinci presentation – by child

create a Mona Lisa off your own with a present day person. For ideas:

1. Lesson Plan: http://members.aol.com/TWard64340/Renaissance.htm#Leonardo
2. Mostly questions for you to use: Mona Lisa Images for a Modern World: A Teacher's Guide by Robert A. Baron
   
3. Ideas for Mona Lisa Parodies
   
4. Upside down Modern Mona (more art/drawing, less really Mona Lisa)
   

Maybe discuss Davinci’s Mona Lisa – monochromatic, review shading & tinting? How it is the most copies art piece in the world? Mona Art and Mona kids versions to show after.

Mona Lisa painting info (& timeline), landscape/background, more landscape, and about the dress. Or, for more background and what scientists have found on the Mona Lisa, see:

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mona_Lisa (Look at the detail of the background, left side to see a tiny bit of column in the picture)
• Austen, Ian, “New Look at ‘Mona Lisa’ Yields Some New Secrets”, New York Times, Published: September 27, 2006, http://travel2.nytimes.com/2006/09/27/arts/design/27mona.html
• The Louvre’s “A Closer Look” web site http://www.louvre.fr/llv/dossiers/detail_oal.jsp?CONTENT%3C%3Ecnt_id=10134198673229908&CURRENT_LLV_OAL%3C%3Ecnt_id=10134198673229908&bmLocale=en

4. Michelangelo presentation – requested

Check out the sonnet Michelangelo wrote about how painful standing on scaffolding and painting the ceiling of the Sistine chapel was

5. Donatello representation – requested

Share additive style sculpture done at home following Tabitha Wards’ Elementary Lesson Plans (distributed in advance) from: http://members.aol.com/TWard64340/Renaissance.htm#Donatello

(Warning – while we like her page, it does repeat a myth about Michelangelo as fact. Despite what C. Heston did in the film, we know that Michelangelo stood to paint the Sistine Chapel, using scaffolding he designed himself. We avoided her “ceiling painting” exercise for didactic reasons.)

6. Other (other artists?, perspective, architecture) Victoria & Alberts has some nice resources on Raphael and his painted designs for tapestries that might help.)

7. Renaissance game (if time permits, but we won't be gambling!)

Day 2 (10 – 2 with lunch break) – Scientists

(with a themed potluck of Italian Renaissance food – sign up in advance.) So, where does one learn about Renaissance Italy food and recipes?

Tentative!

1. Galileo’s work – by ?

Scientific method intro – by child

Display Telescopes made at home and discuss seeing the moon. For ideas, see:
http://amasci.com/amateur/teles.html

I'm disappointed by Home Training Tools' "make a simple telescope" directions, unless you happen to have the right lenses around the house! They sell a kit for $13 with what you need, and individual lenses for a more do-it-yourself approach. I really liked their astrolabe directions - this tool has been around for 1000 years reaching its heyday in 1400-1500.

Activity 1. Re-create Galileo experiments (perhaps acceleration? his experiments with motion?). The group leader may want to consider these links – as well as the space they have and the abilities of their group. Please point out that we don’t really know whether Galileo actually ever dropped cannon balls from the Tower of Pisa!

1. http://galileo.rice.edu/lib/student_work/experiment95/inclined_plane.html
2. http://galileo.rice.edu/lib/student_work/experiment96/trajectorybackground.html
3. Falling Balls – experiment 1
   http://www.materialworlds.com/sims/Galileo/worksheet1.html
4. Period of a Pendulum – Large Angle
   http://www.explorelearning.com/index.cfm?method=cResource.dspExpGuide&ResourceID=454
5. Registration is required to access experiments from teachers’ domain – but they have about a dozen based on Galileo:
   http://www.teachersdomain.org/app/search/run_search?terms=galileo

Discussion 2. “other Renaissance discoveries”

"war, armor an& weapons" - by child
"Occupations in the Renaissance" - by child

compass – new to Europe
printing press – new to Europe

presentation on libraries & books of the time – by child
(may include impact of printing press in general, or on religion and authors)

3. Renaissance game (if time)

PSA: Lindenberg Trial Re-creation

Cross-post. October re-enactments. See their website for more information
http://www.famoustrials.com/html/abouttrial.html

Now You Can Be A Witness To History!

On the night of March 1, 1932, the infant son of Charles A. Lindbergh, the world famous aviator, was taken from his nursery. A ransom note was left demanding $50.000 be delivered for his safe return. The ransom was paid, but two months later the child's decomposing body was found not far from his home, setting off the largest manhunt in history.

On September 19, 1934, a carpenter named Bruno Richard Hauptmann was arrested and charged with the murder of Charles A. Lindbergh, Jr., bringing to an end the hunt for the most hated man in America. On January 2, 1935, the trial of Bruno Hauptmann began in the historic courthouse in Flemington, NJ. For 32 days the attention of the entire world was focused on this little town. Hundreds of reporters and celebrities were among the thousands of people who thronged in front of the courthouse to get a glimpse of Lindbergh, the jury, and the now famous witnesses who would testify in the proceedings which came to be known as "The Trial of the Century". No other trial has ever captured such an interest of the entire world.

Performances are held in the Historic Hunterdon County Courthouse on Main Street in Flemington, NJ in the actual room where the 1935 trial took place.

http://www.famoustrials.com/html/abouttrial.html