Oysters in the Chesapeake

The story features an intro that quoted from Captain John Smith's journal from the early 1600's.

Could be a good reference point to connect modern and historic Maryland/Virginia...

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=129452345

NPR: Unearthed Ship In NYC Offers Clues Of Colonial Life

I will probably use this story as part of one of my first lessons this year.  This story exemplifies the premise of this blog  - it puts history into the news, reveals the work that historians and their students are doing, and therefore brings life 300 years ago directly into the classroom.

With stories like this, history simply stops being static, fixed, and seemingly irrelevant.
  

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=129175643&sc=fb&cc=fp

Great story on the biology behind teenage drama....

This was a fantastic story from NPR this morning.  The take-away for me was how Dr. Kastner suggested parents write about their experiences, regrets, and feelings about lapses in judgement.



http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=129150658

Strange Fruit: Anniversary Of A Lynching (from NPR)

This is a radio piece commemorating the anniversary of the lynching that inspired the poem and song "Strange Fruit" made famous by Billie Holiday.

Obviously, teachers should preview this and determine whether it is appropriate for their students.  I always find it very powerful for my students to hear the voices of the people depicted in iconic images. In an increasingly desensitized world we need to do our best to bring gravity and authenticity to the our materials.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=129025516

For example: To Kill a Mockingbird

The seventh grade at my school teaches "To Kill a Mockingbird" (thank god) so I will get to read it every year and get all choked up as I read the final chapter aloud to the students and they get to see their teacher cry (kind of...maybe).

Here are some of the links I shared with colleagues...

First is an episode of the Diane Rehm Show:

http://thedianerehmshow.org/shows/2010-06-16/readers-review-kill-mockingbird-harper-lee


Three guests plus callers discuss the books lasting impact. Great for teachers, some clips great for students...

This is a story about parties planned for the 50th Anniversary of the Book, and how their will most likely be one person missing from the festivities:


http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/25/books/25mock.html?scp=1&sq=mockingbird&st=cse


Of course, the New York Times Learning Network Blogs are outstanding resources:

http://learning.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/05/27/50-years-of-to-kill-a-mockingbird/?scp=2&sq=mockingbird&st=cse


There are over 40 links on this site alone.