Wednesday, June 16, 2010

50 Books That Changed the World

Don't know what it is about these lists... but people love them.

According to the Online Education Database, these are the Top 50 Books. They've inspired, provoked thought and caused controversy.

Enjoy....

http://oedb.org/library/features/50_books_that_changed_the_world


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Saturday, June 12, 2010

National History Day

National History Day projects are being judged in the final rounds this week... For any teacher who's ever taken on this endeavor, you understand the work and excitement that goes along with the NHD. 

Below is text received from National History Day - they asked me to share it with my readers:

"During the week-long national contest from June 13-17, 2010, thousands of middle and high school students, educators, and parents come together to compete for scholarships and prizes, with finalists from 49 states and abroad.  Students will compete for gold, silver and bronze national awards, as well as college scholarships.

More than 300 judges (including historians and educators from secondary and higher education institutions, museums, archives, and government agencies) will evaluate the students’ award-winning work throughout the week. Noted filmmaker, Ken Burns, and author and historian, Cokie Roberts, serve on the honorary cabinet for NHD; and A&E Television Networks’ History Channel serves as a program partner.

A media event on Monday morning will feature a rare original printing of the Declaration of Independence.– one of 25 known to exist in the world – was the original printed on July 4, 1776, and is now owned by Hollywood producer and philanthropist, Norman Lear, who has lent the document to commemorate NHD’s students. At NHD, this Declaration of Independence will be on its first ever visit to Maryland.  Invited elected officials will unveil the Declaration of Independence and welcome the outstanding students and teachers at a media event to kick off the week, followed by projects and displays throughout the week.   Invited speakers include members of Congress representing Maryland, including Representatives Chris Van Hollen, Donna Edwards, and Paul Sarbanes, and Senators Barbara Mikulski and Benjamin Cardin.

Competing with documentaries, live performances, and original websites, the students – ranging in age from 11 to 18 – created innovative projects this year that include:
•       “Vaccination:  The Musical” – a live musical theater performance about the history and impact of vaccination on global health
•       “Google:  Impact and Change” – a live performance that illustrates Google’s impact on a generation
•       “Off the Bench and Onto the Field: How Title IX Changed Girls\' Athletics and Education” – a theatrical performance that portrays the 70-year fight for equality in sports
•       “Al Qaeda and the Internet: A New Age in Terror” – a documentary that discusses and analyzes terrorists’ contemporary use of the Web

One notable past NHD project included three students from Chicago who helped provide new evidence that re-opened the Mississippi Burning case and brought the killer finally to justice (http://www.mississippiburning.org).

Please let me know if you’d like more information on NHD or the events taking place throughout the week.  I’d also be happy to connect you to any of the teachers, students, or program directors in the meantime or at the event week.  Video and photos of all participating students and educators will be made available all week, and you can keep up with NHD on Twitter (@NationalHistory), Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/NationalHistoryDay), and YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/NationalHistory)."

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