I thought that when I edited a page that it would put the new edit date but it does not. So on April 13th (the day we did not have class and had time to catch up) I did both my literature reviews. It actually took longer than I thought it would but well worth it. That same night my husband I went to dinner with my host brother from Brazil. He was passing through so I was very grateful not to have had class that night. The night was filled with laughter, some school talk and lots of travel stories!
Oh CRAAP! May 3, 2010
Below is my CRAAP (Currency, Relevance, Authority, Accuracy, Purpose) assignment. Feel free to borrow this rubric for further assessment on web pages.
Resource Quality Evaluation Worksheet
Title of the resource you are evaluating: Iroquois Indian Tribe: History
Directions: Please evaluate your information source according to each of the criteria below by selecting the number that best represents your response.
Currency: The timeliness of the information
Is the information (while perhaps historic) current or out-of-date? Has it been revised or updated?
For example, if an historical text refers to a minority group using what would be considered derogatory language, rate it not current.
Somewhat Current= 2
As I was looking around I found a 1906 date along with a copyright date of 1999-2010. So I would say that this is somewhat current because they did not specify the exact date it was published. Plus all the links on the site work so it seems to be updated regularly.
Relevance: The importance of the information for your needs.
Does the information relate to your topic or answer your question? Is the information at an appropriate level?
For example, an elementary textbook would not be at an appropriate level and therefore not relevant.
Somewhat Relevant=2
The material was relevant to those that are interested in this topic. I found it the page hard to read, with little text structure and not very interesting. I could see this being used for a college student’s paper as a reference where they used maybe one or two sentences. I almost fell asleep trying to focus.
Authority: The source of the information
What are the author’s qualifications to write on the topic?
For example, an anonymous author on Wikipedia has far less authority than a named author on a website sponsored by a university.
Somewhat Authoritative=2
The information was on topic, and the site gives some clues as to how historical the piece is. “The books presented are for their historical value only and are no the opinions of the Webmasters of the site”. They also provide a disclaimer at the bottom. The site address is a .com and has the word ‘genealogy’ in it, which makes me feel like they know their stuff.
Accuracy: The reliability, truthfulness, and correctness of the informational content.
Where does the information come from? Is the information supported by evidence? Has the information been reviewed or refereed?
For example, information found on About.com is somewhat accurate because it is not supported by evidence and it is unclear whether the information is reviewed.
Accurate=3
I don’t know very much about the Iroquois Indian tribe but the grammar and spelling were correct and site had a “contact us” button would is a good sign. I looked up some of the information on other sites it all seemed to flow nicely.
Purpose: The reason the information was published
Is the information fact, opinion or propaganda? Does the point of view appear objective and impartial?
For example, an anti-Semitic website has an inappropriate purpose that shares biased opinion with the goal of disseminating hate.
Inappropriate Purpose=1
I did not see any religious, or political views present in this article, like I said previously they did have a disclaimer that the books and extras on the site are for historical value and not that opinion of any web creators. The entire purpose of the article is to inform the reader of what the Iroquois were like, but looking at the additional links I felt like this website was out to get my money not to teach me about Indians.
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Resource Quality Evaluation Worksheet
Title of the resource you are evaluating: The Iroquois of the Northeast
Directions: Please evaluate your information source according to each of the criteria below by selecting the number that best represents your response.
Currency: The timeliness of the information
Is the information (while perhaps historic) current or out-of-date? Has it been revised or updated?
For example, if an historical text refers to a minority group using what would be considered derogatory language, rate it not current.
Not Current=1
The only date I found was 1998 so I would say it’s a little outdated… 12 years. I could not tell if the information had updated because there was no copyright date.
Relevance: The importance of the information for your needs.
Does the information relate to your topic or answer your question? Is the information at an appropriate level?
For example, an elementary textbook would not be at an appropriate level and therefore not relevant.
Very Relevant=4
I would give this site to middle school students and even some higher learning level elementary students… the site was interesting and had lots of important facts and different categories to look into.
Authority: The source of the information
What are the author’s qualifications to write on the topic?
For example, an anonymous author on Wikipedia has far less authority than a named author on a website sponsored by a university.
Very Authoritative=4
The first thing I noticed was this website is a .org and is put together by a museum. There is defiantly an authority to this source. I was able to click on The Carnegie Museum of Natural History and it took me right to the home page where could contact anyone with questions on the Iroquois.
Accuracy: The reliability, truthfulness, and correctness of the informational content.
Where does the information come from? Is the information supported by evidence? Has the information been reviewed or refereed?
For example, information found on About.com is somewhat accurate because it is not supported by evidence and it is unclear whether the information is reviewed.
Accurate=3
The information comes from the museum, which is a reliable, truthful and correct environment to be giving out this kind of information. I did not see any spelling errors or biased opinions throughout the site. It was also easy to navigate- very user friendly.
Purpose: The reason the information was published
Is the information fact, opinion or propaganda? Does the point of view appear objective and impartial?
For example, an anti-Semitic website has an inappropriate purpose that shares biased opinion with the goal of disseminating hate.
Very Appropriate Purpose=4
The purpose was to educate people on the given topic, that is generally the point of museums whether online or in a building. The information was given in a easy read way that explained different questions one might have on the type of Indians being researched.
#525 Mrs. Dorsman April 29, 2010
One of my very favorite sites is 1000 Awesome Things and someday I hope to be a teacher like Stella Dorsmam.
Click here to read the article: AWESOME!
Children’s Lit: Farolitos for Abuelo April 20, 2010
Title: Farolitos for Abuelo
Author: Rudolfo Anaya
Publication Year: October 15, 1999
Publisher: Hyperion Books for Children
Keywords: Christmas, People & Places, Death, Mexican American Traditions, Social Issues, Family Life, Nonfiction, Grandfathers, & Spanish Language
Summary: This is a story of death and how good can come from it. Luz’s grandfather saves a little boy from the cold river but dies shortly after. Luz is sad and tries to keep his memory alive by working in the garden. She wants to do something special for her Abuelo and decides to put farolitos around her grandparent’s grave. Soon this becomes a tradition and the entire cemetery is filled with the glow of farolitos. Some Spanish words and phrases are incorporated throughout.
Classroom Extension: I love that this book uses another language and yet the reader can still understand what is going on. This is book would be a great one to read to your class especially if you had ESL kids. The ESL kids could shine in giving the rest of a class a quick vocabulary lesson. In the 50 Social Studies Strategies they talk about Guest Speakers, since when can’t one of your students be just that. I feel that this would also create a better community with in the class. Students could also talk about what they do at family events and how their ceremonies are special to them. I know that death and dying are not talked about a lot but with the help of this book and students own scenarios the topic would be easier to bring up.
Questions: What type of traditions does your culture have? Are there any that may be similar to someone else in this class? Do grandparents play an important role in your family life today? What have you learned from someone older than you? Where is Mexico? The reason Abuelo died is because he saved a young boy from freezing water, how important is water safety around Idaho?
Integration: In this book they celebrate death and we could talk about other cultures that celebrate death like the Mayans and the Egyptians. Talking about different cultures way of dealing with death integrates not only social studies but health as well. Reading about different groups of people and how their society is built on top of graves or that the whole town is shut down upon someone’s death would give our students a look into the past. They could compare then to now and make a time line of events for a specific group of people. Death is all around us and really would be inserted into a variety of places. Looking at Earth science and the layers of rock, using math for the Egyptian’s pyramids that housed the dead kings and queens… really death is everywhere its just not talked about enough.
Book Buddies March 28, 2010
I’m writing this from the deck of paradise… Cabo San Lucas! I know I should be vacationing so I’ll make this short and sweet. Last night I went out and celebrated my birthday week with a bang! I met 4 girls from Canada, 1 from Holland and of course some locals. Anyways the usual topics-“Where you from?”, “Whatcha studying?”, ext came up and it never dawned on me till last night (alcohol free I need to add) that I am always focusing on the different aspects of cultures when really the ones that happen to be the same are so much more fun to explore!
The girl from Holland was reading the same book as me and we just so happen to love the same author. Because of this one book (in which she had to have an American friend send to her) we were able to talk about our take on parts of the book. It was really cool to find things in common and learn about her way of life. I was also surprised at how much she knew of America and her take on the Health Care Reform that just got passed. I know of nothing happening in Holland.
That said I think its wonderful to take an idea like this into the classroom. Instead of Pen Pals from 50 strategies why not Book Buddies?! One book that is popular children’s literature here and one that is popular in another country, read, write, and send! I hope that I’ll be as good at planning as I want to be and make an idea like this happen for my classroom!
Adios!
Road Block March 21, 2010
It’s Sunday night and once again I can’t type. I’m trying so hard to get this Lies paper finished but after one page of writing I’m finding it difficult to finish up, answer every question clearly and “briefly” address how and why I’ll avoid lying to students… this section seems to be the part I want to be lengthly!
A Post Secret break along with 3 maybe 4 Girl Scout cookies might help ; >
Flashcards anyone? March 8, 2010
I was introduced to this awesome site! I love it because they give you a variety of ways to study… plus its actually fun! You have the option to make your own “flashcards” that relate to any give topic, (I recently made a set for my Science Mid Term) or you can look up ones that already exist (there is a set for the ICLA Standard I).
The site is Quizlet. The home page allows you to pick topics like Standardized Tests, Math & Science and even History & Geography. In the H & G section I found pre-made flashcards on States and Capitals. It will tell you how many terms, subjects that relate, and even allow you to print! There are 7 ways to study: Familiarize, Learn, Test, Play Scatter, Play Space Race, Voice Scatter, & Voice Race.
I would love to work this into the classroom and use the site for spelling, fun facts, centers, even as homework! Its a great way to include technology yet also make it appealing to everyone! One of the greatest things is you can connect to your iPod and have your flashcards on the go without loosing or wasting paper. (GO GREEN!) I know that while I was making my own set for science I not only enjoyed it I also had fun with Play Scatter. At the end it would challenge me to play again but beat my own time! Check it out! I know that it would be a great resource for the classroom- my only concern would be if at school the site would be blocked by a firewall… anyone know the answer to that?
ENJOY!
Visual Thesaurus February 26, 2010
This week I was introduced to this sweet website! While in school it is free but as soon as you graduate its $19.95 a year and I think it would be a really great resource for anyone’s classroom! Take a look:
Visual Thesaurus
Username: student1@boisestate.edu (the 1 can be replaced with any number from 1 to 25. This means only 25 students from BSU can be on at once.)
Password: broncos (this password changes every semester)
This website can be used for students to make connections between their prior knowledge and the vocabulary they might not understand in a social studies text. There is a strong link between vocabulary development and reading comprehension. Knowing the meaning of words and having the ability to use the knowledge effectively contributes to the students reading and listening comprehension. Using the Visual Thesaurus is one resource we can give students to help them define, clarify and extend their knowledge of words and concepts being used in and around the subject of social studies.
Misconceptions February 25, 2010
Have you ever noticed how Santa Clause’s belt buckle looks somewhat similar to that of the Pilgrims?
Is it possible there is a reason for that? From looking online I have found that belt buckles were a symbol added by nineteenth century illustrators to show quaintness or give off an old fashion look.
This is just one of a lot of kinda cool misconceptions out there. I was thinking if you had an older class a great way to help them explore using technology would be a misconception quest. Here are some sites I found to be interesting or to at least point them in the right direction.
Mythconceptions
Wikipedia-List of Common Misconceptions
Thanksgiving Myths
George W had Hippo Teeth?
There are so many more misconceptions that cross over into all subjects- Science has A TON! As a future teacher I think I will use a KWL chart to help me take a closer look at what my kids understand and what they think they know. I want to clear up any misconceptions before I being to build upon the foundation laid. After knowing what misconceptions the students are bringing to class I could easily (I say that in hopes that at some point it becomes effortless) develop a lesson with the facts and teach the concept they should have known.
Betsy Ross? February 7, 2010
The first thing I have to say is that so far everything Loewen has talked about is my high school AP History class to a T. It was all about memorizing the book for a test at the end of two weeks. I did not learn a thing (except that I had a fear of tests and a special dislike towards history), and at the time none of it was relevant to my life. I’m not sure if I learned “the truth” or The Truth.
I also have to say I’m surprised at how many textbooks Loewen examines. I feel that each author is writing what will get top dollar in the bidding war. These are some question I came up with while reading:
-How would I portray specific presidents if I were the author? Would my writing be based on what I learned, or what I now know?
-Would I change “glasses” knowing that the area I’m trying to sell to is very conservative? Liberal? Has a high minority rate?
-Where is author integrity?
I really liked the part about that New York professor who did the “first 10 names” experiment with is first year college students. I tried to act like I was in his class and this is what I came up with:
1. George Washington
2. Thomas Jefferson
3. Benjamin Franklin
4. Thomas Edison
5. Columbus
6/7. Lewis & Clark
8. Pocahontas
9. John Smith
10. Sacagawea
My list would be null after round two where the professor excludes all presidents. When he says that Betsy Ross was the number one pick year after year I was surprised because she never came to mind. I also enjoy reading about how her story according to the New York professor is completely fabricated.
This journal is due by 10pm… SUBMIT! ; >
The XYZ of Social Studies 