Our Global History

Lascaux Cave Drawings - A Virtual Visit to the Cave

noreply@blogger.com (klkatz) — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 17:17:00 +0000

This website is simply AMAZING!

Imagine being able to take your students into the Lascaux Cave's in France to truly experience the depth and wonder of the Lascaux Cave Paintings... now you can.

http://www.lascaux.culture.fr/#/en/00.xml/

Instead of analyzing the Hall of Bulls from afar using a 2-dimensional image you are given the feeling of going into the cave and exploring the paintings close-up and in-depth.

I'll let the website verbiage tell you more:

"To celebrate this prehistoric wonder, the French Ministry of Culture and Communication's is pleased to present its latest multimedia publication – an update of the original Lascaux website, which was first put on line in 1998. The new site has been entirely reworked in both form and content, reflecting the latest advances in archaeological research."

"Visitors to the site are presented with a three-dimensional digital version of the cave, which allows them to go from room to room, completely immersed in the site. As they travel from the Great Hall of the Bulls all the way to the Shaft of the Dead Man, they can stop at each of the many images, read descriptions, play video sequences and examine overlay lines that helpfully reveal some of the more difficult to identify figures. A zoom feature enables visitors to get as close as possible to the walls that these talented artists decorated. "

Art of the Reformation and the Counter Reformation - A VoiceThread Conversation

noreply@blogger.com (klkatz) — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 20:30:00 +0000

I recently had my students contribute to an online discussion comparing Reformation and Counter Reformation Art. To keep them honest I also thew in some Medieval Art as a review. The point of the discussion was to demonstrate their knowledge of the evolution of art from the Dark Ages through the Renaissance and then the characteristics of both Catholic and Protestant art after Martin Luther's reformation.

I was quite pleased with the results. The kids had a great time with it.

You'll notice with VoiceThread the students had several options as to how they wanted to comment: Text, video or audio.

By the way, if you're an educator, you can sign up for a VoiceThread account and use up to 50 conversations at one time. Go to VoiceThread.com for more details.

I did this with four classes, this is simply on of those classes. Towards the end of the thread, I chose a medieval painting to demonstrate how to comment, and there was very surreal moment with the sun behind me, like I was in a Medieval Paintings with a halo... it was quite funny. See if you can find that.

I realize some of the students may have mislabeled the art, but rest assured that any inaccuracies by the students were cleared up the next day...

How to teach Longitude and Latitude - A Conversation

noreply@blogger.com (klkatz) — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 16:47:00 +0000

Conversations: This is my way of starting a dialogue with readers, teachers, etc... I'll start the conversation with a suggestion/idea, and then I'd like the comments to be filled with YOUR IDEAS.

Please use this as an exchange to trade and share lesson ideas...

If you're like me, then you understand the importance of maps in teaching world history. There is not a unit that goes by without my using a map or studying the geography of a certain place.

Map skills and geography are an essential part to truly understanding world history. Just knowing the geographic make-up of a certain culture will allow students to understand, why the culture developed the way it did, and give a deeper understanding of the development of that region. For example, in studying Greece it is vital to understand that the Greeks (Minoans and Mycenaeans) were a coastal people who had a very mountainous and rocky terrain. Because of this, they were excellent fisherman and developed vast networks of trade to import wheat and grains. This is best learned by looking at maps and studying the landforms in and around Greece.

But what can be challenging sometimes is teaching the simple concepts of Longitude and Latitude, and having the students understand its importance. (Can't we just use GoogleMaps? or "Then why do we have GPS?")

http://video.about.com/geography/Latitude-and-Longitude.htm

Maybe watch the video... have kids take notes.
Watch the video again and discuss.
Then do some kind of activity where they implement the knowledge they've gained. But what kind of activity can you do that has purpose?

Since something like this is most beneficial early in the year, I'd suggest having students find out where their ancestors are from. (Germany, Liberia, Dominican Republic, Russia, Ireland, etc...)
Then have them give coordinates for their places of origin. And then map it.

Simple enough, but an even better idea would be to then create a world map for the entire class or classes. Students love to see where they're from and how many other students share their culture. Then continue by turning it into a culture lesson. Find similarities and differences between each student's backgrounds.

National Geographic (naturally..) has a good activity: http://www.nationalgeographic.com/xpeditions/lessons/01/gk2/longlat.html
This is not a bad idea for middle schoolers: http://www.ideatestbed.com/longitude/webquest.shtml

How do you teach Longitude and Latitude?

Secrets of the Silk Road - More Online Lectures...

noreply@blogger.com (klkatz) — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 01:14:00 +0000

In honor of their Silk Road exhibition, The University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology has created a 9 part lecture series dedicated to the Silk Road. Once a month from October through June 2011, a different Silk Road scholar shares their view of the famous trade route.

http://penn.museum/silkroad/events_lectures.php

For those that live in the Philadelphia area, you can still reserve a ticket for the last 3 lectures.

March 2, 2011
Samarkand in the Age of Tamerlane (Timur Lang

April 6, 2011
Afghanistan

May 4, 2011
Looking East from Constantinople: Byzantium and the Silk Road

June 1, 2011
From Venice to Xanadu: Marco Polo's Silk Road Adventure

As a baseball coach and father of an 18 month old son, the 6pm time frame is a little tight for me, but perhaps I can have short practice and miss the bedtime routine in exchange for some knowledge.

How to Go to Harvard for Free: Harvard Online Lectures

noreply@blogger.com (klkatz) — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 19:23:00 +0000

As I develop my craft of teaching 9th grade World History, I find myself more and more interested in all the aspects of my subject area. I read more about world history topics, I always look for connections in everyday life to my history classes and my magazine subscriptions are for the sole purpose of bringing ideas to the classroom. In other words, I'm a student of my own profession. Additionally, I want to be able to answer any question a student brings me.

At this point in my life I can't answer every question. (I probably never will be able to answer every question...but at least I can try.) Students are curious and will always ask questions that I can't answer. I usually then offer them extra credit if they do the research and come back to class with the answer. Students love to do this.

One way I've been learning more is by listening to many online lectures. The David Kalivas lectures are amazing, and now I've just found a small gold mine of more through Harvard's Open Learning Initiative.

The Open Learning Initiative is part of Harvard University's Extension School which is basically a series of 650 classes open to the public. That's right... you don't need a perfect SAT score to learn from Harvard professors.

The Open Learning Initiative offers many of the class lectures from Harvard faculty online to the public for free.

I haven't listened to any in full yet, but am looking forward to it.

Here's the link to all the lectures: http://www.extension.harvard.edu/openlearning/

Important Note: When selecting which type of video/audio to watch/listen to select LAN as it seems like the DSL/Cable Connection was crashing my browser (Safari, Mac OS X 10.5.8)

Roman History Simplified through Song and Comic

noreply@blogger.com (klkatz) — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 02:14:00 +0000

This guy is genius...

Jeffrey Lewis who is a musician/artist/comic has created an excellent overview of the rise and fall of the Roman Empire and simplified it in an entertaining way with cartoons and a song.

For more videos by Jeffrey Lewis click here to see his take on the Peloponnesian War. He's done similar songs for the Mayflower and Sitting Bull.

On a side note, Jeffrey Lewis is soon to perform in my hometown of Philadelphia...
check out his site. http://www.thejeffreylewissite.com

Put Yourself in a Chinese Propaganda Poster

noreply@blogger.com (klkatz) — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 17:55:00 +0000

In reading An Edible History of Humanity, I came across a chapter about Chairmen Mao's Great Leap Forward and his mimic of the ill-fated Stalin creation of Collective Farms. In their efforts to boost exports and increase industrialization, both leaders ended up starving millions and hiding their faults from the world.

In doing some research on the topic, I came across this site: MaoPost.com.

Not only does this site have thousands of Chinese propaganda posters that you can share with your students and purchase, but it has something else I've never seen before.

MaoPost.com gives you the ability to have yourself painted into a Chinese Propaganda poster. It's a pretty cool idea, but it does coast a few hundred dollars.

So if you've ever dreamed of being a Communist Revolutionary... here's your chance.

David Kalivas' World History Podcasts

noreply@blogger.com (klkatz) — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 01:32:00 +0000

As a loving father and husband, I do my part in making sure my family comes first. I do a lot of the cooking and what seems like all of the cleanup after dinner. Namely washing dishes.

What I've been doing recently is looking for podcasts to listen to while washing dishes. I found these great ones by Professor David Kalivas from Middlesex Community College in Middlesex, Massachusetts.

His lectures, are witty and very informative. This guy knows his stuff. He's passionate about his subject and his knowledge and tie-ins to modern day are refreshing. There are some very lucky students at Middlesex Community College learning from a top notch teacher.

So far I've listened to his lecture on The Indus Valley and Hinduism. There is plenty I'd like to share in my classroom next year.

He has posted several lectures from 2005 and 2007, and has just posted a new one from November of 2010. He's definitely worth a listen.

http://www.middlesex.mass.edu/podcasts/kalivasd/

Qwiki - An Amazing Classroom Ready Resource

noreply@blogger.com (klkatz) — Sun, 30 Jan 2011 07:00:00 +0000

What is a Qwiki?

A Qwiki is hard to explain, you'll just have to see it for yourself.
It's an amazing amount of information, communicated in a concise and entertaining way.

According to the Qwiki founders a Qwiki is information turned into an experience that you can watch...
It's a marriage of Art and Science...

It's a platform you'll love to use in your classroom. You can have your students type in any content...and learn in a fun way. Perhaps you can give them a broad topic, say... the Silk Road, and from there they can explore for themselves anything having to do with the Silk Road.

With each experience you can click on a picture to learn more, or wait for related Qwikis to hatch after viewing the Qwiki. For example, the Han Dynasty, Cities along the Silk Road or Roman Chinese relations. The possibilities are endless.

Try it out, you'll be impressed.

Byzantine Podcasts: Lars Brownworth's Lost to the West

noreply@blogger.com (klkatz) — Fri, 28 Jan 2011 02:45:00 +0000

In doing some De facto research on the Byzantine Empire I found an excellent series of podcasts from author Lars Brownworth. The site was set up as a means to promote his book Lost to the West: The Forgotten Byzantine Empire That Rescued Western Civilization

Besides making his lectures accessible in this way, Brownworth makes them palatable and entertaining for the layman. My wife thinks I'm cute for listening to history lectures while doing the dishes, but hey, I'm a world history teacher. It's my job, but I love it. My point is that with a little knowledge of Roman history, even mechanics and marketing execs would benefit from his lectures.

I've already listened to two of them... The introduction is a great as a follow up to the Roman Empire and an introduces the Byzantine Empire from a straightforward approach.

Tonight I listened to Diocletian. Again, Brownworth's tone and cadence are pleasing. It sounds like he's talking to you, instead of lecturing at you. A conversational style, if you will. His theory on Diocletian and why's he's responsible for the fall of the Roman Empire is interesting. Can't wait to listen to more...

If you've the time, Brown explains things in such a way that it's palatable to most.
Enjoy the link.

http://anders.com/lectures/lars_brownworth/12_byzantine_rulers/

Brownworth introduces his book with a short video on Amazon, which you can see here: http://www.amazon.com/gp/mpd/permalink/m1UO03EL2EAINK/ref=ent_fb_link

A History of the World in 6 Glasses

noreply@blogger.com (klkatz) — Thu, 02 Dec 2010 02:12:00 +0000

I just finished reading Tom Standage's A History of the World in 6 Glasses. The book is an entertaining and highly informative romp through world history highlighting six distinct beverages that have influenced the course of time.

Beer, wine, spirits, coffee, tea and soda.

If anything, the book makes you appreciate your favorite beverage even more. I'm a certified beer geek. I make my own beer and scoff at certain restaurants if their idea of "good" beer is an Amstel Light and a Sam Adams seasonal. I especially enjoyed the chapter on beer as it discussed beer as a means of currency.

During the Neolithic Age as hunting and gathering civilizations gave way to a more agricultural way of life, grain became a symbol of wealth. Grain in turn could be turned into bread and beer. Thus, bread and beer became a form of currency. Mesopotamia and Egypt are among the cultures who used beer in this way.

Standage shows how beer, and the idea of sharing a beer quickly became rituals that many cultures shared. Wine was no different and was also a part of many rituals and activities. Namely the idea of a symposium which means "to drink together" in Greek. Symposiums were forums for men to gather and debate and discuss current events. From its introduction to Mediterranean from the Middle East by a wealthy Greek King's celebration, wine was viewed as the aristocratic drink. As a drink just a step above beer.

The chapters on coffee and tea bring even more to light. It is very interesting discovering how cultures reacted to these newly found drinks, driving some to ban the substances altogether.

I suggest getting the book and reading it for yourself.

The introductions for each chapter are brilliant in the fact that they set the scene for a time in history - the introductions themselves are great to use in the classroom. The book itself is a great hook to get kids interested in history. It is works like this that make history come alive and keep us laymen wanting more.

Read the book and use it in your classroom.

The Ends of the World as We Know Them - Why Civilizations Collapse

noreply@blogger.com (klkatz) — Sun, 28 Nov 2010 13:24:00 +0000

Jared Diamond, probably best known for his best-selling book Guns, Germs and Steel has ideas on what forces some civilizations to collapse and others to prosper. His main theme of GG&S was wrapped around the idea of geographic luck.

Geographic luck wrestles with the idea that civilizations in certain places were able to advance and prosper because of the natural resources available to them. Some cultures were never able to overcome their primitive ways and couldn't be part of the Neolithic Revolution, because they didn't have the ability to cultivate crops and domesticate animals because the climate and/or animals needed to do so, just weren't available to them.

His theory for the collapse of civilizations could follow that same path... it deviates slightly however. Diamond believes there are outliers, and geography isn't the only thing to make or brake a civilization, but many of his five interacting factors leading to a collapse are geography based.

1. Damage that people have inflicted on their environment;
2. Climate change
3. Enemies
4. Changes in friendly trading partners
5.The society's political, economic and social responses to these shifts.

It is factor #5 which is most important, as this is the crux the determines a civilization's fate. I haven't read Diamond's book on the subject, but have discussed his theory in class with my students.

We read this article: http://www.nytimes.com/2005/01/01/opinion/01diamond.html?_r=3&pagewanted=print&position=

...and then had them answer some discussion questions. It worked well enough to explore the theory further and modify it for next year.

In class we're currently studying the fall of Rome and comparing its factors to the modern day United States. I was impressed when some of the students used Diamond's theory to support some of their own thoughts on the fall of the Roman Empire.

A History of Religion

noreply@blogger.com (klkatz) — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 03:15:00 +0000

MapsOfWar.com has put together 5,000 years of religion in 90 seconds. It's a good way to get the kids to see the spread of religion through the years.

The map can be a jumping off point to discuss the world's major religions. Students will get a good sense of the geography associated with religion, as well as giving students a good sense of time.

Our Global History, Take 1...

noreply@blogger.com (klkatz) — Thu, 09 Sep 2010 20:24:00 +0000

So I've had this other blog (USHistoryBlog.com) for some time. I love US History and I love finding resources to help teach US History. The site has been good to me. I've made some online acquaintances, it's given me an outlet for some of my thoughts, and I get lots of free stuff from it. The problem is, that I currently don't teach US History. I used to teach it... but I've really learned to love the culture and discovery of World History. And I don't foresee a change in that regard anytime soon. So I'm transitioning to a new outlet with this blog.

I'll still keep USHistoryBlog.com up and running, and update periodically, but this new blog will allow me to share things I'm actually doing in class and learning on my own.

Thanks for hopping over... I hope you like this as much as you've enjoyed USHistoryBlog.com.