History on Tap

The application for this year’s Portsmouth Schools Foundation Innovator Grants has been sent out.  Awards of up to $500 will be distributed to Portsmouth Public School teachers, staff, or parents.  The applications are due by noon on Friday, October 9, 2009.  Projects can be done in teams.  Here’s the application in case you need it.

PSF Grant Application

I just checked out a new resource from HBO Archives.  It’s the March of Time newsreel series, which was produced from 1935-1967.  The films are free, but you do have to register.  (It only takes a couple of minutes.)  There are many newsreels covering different topics, some of which are relevant to our curriculum.  (Moreso for middle and high schools.)  There are a lot of reels from the 1930’s (covering topics like the CCC, TVA, King Cotton, child labor, etc.)  A few reels from the 1940’s, 50’s, and 60’s are also posted.  HBO is still working on restoring and posting footage, so the list will certainly grow. 

Clips vary in length, but could be an interesting primary source addition to your lessons.  I’ve watched several already and they are very interesting and give a good insight to the mindset of the time.

Awhile back I posted a link for TimeRime, which is a (very) easy to use site for creating timelines.  They have now created TimeRime Education, which has several perks (such as no advertising!) 

If you’d like to check it out and create your own TimeRime Education page, visit http://education.timerime.com/.  It really is very easy to use, students would have no problem figuring it out, and it makes creating timelines very simple.  Just an idea for next year!

Brian McKee (TRT at John Tyler) sent me this link to a Suffolk SS blog.  There are activities for grades K-5.  (5th grade teaches USI in Suffolk, so 6th grade teachers check there.)  The blog also has a link to the author’s portaportal, which contains links for each grade level, by subject.  Hope you find something useful!

The Technology Department has been working hard on  Social Studies Resources for the district.  They are now posted in the Y drive on the shared network.  There are resources for grades K-3, and 5-6.   (Sorry 4th grade, you guys had quite a few resources so they concentrated on areas that were lacking.)

To access the materials, go to My Computer on your desktop.  Under Network Drives, click on the Y or Media Drive.  You should then see 2 folders (one for SS, one for Science) and you’ll find all the materials the TRT’s have put together in the SS folder.  If you have a question, or need help finding the drive, contact the TRT in yoru building.  Hope it helps!