The New York Times wants YOU!

Since you are Time's Person of The Year for 2006 the NYT has come to you for help.

Help Us Report on the Cyclone in Myanmar

By Robert Mackey

With reports that nearly 4,000 people may have died in Myanmar as a result of the cyclone that struck the country over the weekend, NYTimes.com is asking readers inside Myanmar to help us report on the disaster by sending in photographs, video or written accounts of the storm and its aftermath.

To submit a photograph, please send it by e-mail to the following address: world.nyt@gmail.com — and let us know when and where the photograph was taken and what it depicts. Please also include your name, but if you would prefer not to be identified, let us know that as well.

Simulations with a Purpose

I remember the days when I would spend hours playing SIMCity on the computer. Trying to build the perfect city while keeping crime low, output high, and population even higher. It was fun and in the end I unleashed Godzilla to destroy it all.

The simulation games I have been finding as of late have been much grimmer and much more related to the events of the current world. The game I have been playing this morning is 3rd World Farmer.

This is a game where you start with a family of 4, a farm, and a dream. You go through turns planting crops and living the 3rd world dream. You get to send your kids to school, deal with the World Bank (not directly), and endure corrupt officials.

The game is fun and can teach interesting lessons about farming in poor countries.

Happy Cinco de Mayo

Some people think today is Mexican Independence day, well you're wrong. The holiday commemorates an initial victory of Mexican forces led by General Ignacio Zaragoza Seguín over French forces in the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. The date is observed in the United States and other locations around the world as a celebration of Mexican heritage and pride.

According to a paper published by the UCLA Center for the Study of Latino Health and Culture, about the origin of the observance of Cinco de Mayo in the United States, the modern American focus on that day first started in California in the 1860s in response to the resistance to French rule in Mexico. The paper notes that "The holiday, which has been celebrated in California continuously since 1863, is virtually ignored in Mexico."

Enjoy the holiday and stay off the roads!!

Study Scarmble Pt. II

Just some more study tools. This presentations is Unit I (which is 22% of the exam this year) in pictures. This is nice because it exposes you to the art and architecture of the time, which, I'm sorry to say, sometimes gets lost in the race to cover all the material.

I used this presentation about a year ago and many students said that it was very helpful. If you do not know any of the terms, places, or people that would be something great to review in your textbook.

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How to PowerPoint

I enjoy using PowerPoint and many assignments I create involve my students using such a tool to teach the other studnets about whatever topic it may be. Far too often the slides are very boring and jam packed with information to the point where they are impossible to read.

The slide show below is a great example of how to revamp your slideshows. My favorite point that the author makes is that is costs ZERO to make a new slide...so use it early and often.

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Study Scramble

It is about that time where APWH students are looking for anything to help them study for the exam. I had my students (last year) create reviews using Google maps. One of my students saved his and, whereas it's not complete (or the best) it is a really good example of how to visualize and connect the information.

This is for Unit 4 and contains some of the bigger events of the time period. Enjoy!!

Interactive Current Events

I love current events in the classroom and far too often it is simply, "cut out an article and summarize it." This game adds an interactive dimension to the current events and the video is very current.

The games are both global and US so, it should be good for all.