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! ; >