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On the Lighter Side over in Hawaii
posted by: Cindy Omlin | February 24, 2011, 03:47 PM   


I'm not going to ignore the heavy weather that is bearing down in and around the statehouses of the Midwest. There is a lot to watch and a lot to learn. I recognize what is going on, BUT my blogging focuses on what happens in the classroom. And I've decided that I'd like to zero in on some personal touches that two teachers in Hawaii put on their teaching.

Check out historyteachers, Amy Burvall and Herb Mahelona, on YouTube. They have 52 music videos posted for everyone to view and to learn. Each video is set to a popular song which contains content (lyrics and acting) focusing on an event or person in history, from the Mesopotamians to Mary, Queen of Scots. Or should I say from They Might Be Giants to J-Lo? The original story in the Honolulu Star Advertiser had rave reviews for Lady GaGa...er, I mean The French Revolution.

I have to be real with those of you reading. I thought to myself, "Wow, I never would have known how to do that." And I started feeling a little inadequate. But, as I've thought about it I remembered a few things: (1) I need to celebrate what these teachers are accomplishing, getting the kids attention is one thing and helping them retain content is another; (2) my teacher strengths are just as great as producing a history video, they are different strengths, but they are just as good; (3) these teachers are sharing their material; all teachers know that educators are the best thieves around at sharing when it comes to spreading around effective teaching methods and lessons.

Hope you can use this in a future lesson or pass it on to a teacher friend who will find it useful.

Originally posted by Jill at AAE.

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