About this website

VA Standard WHII 13a, 13b Cold War
One of the few remaining watchtowers from

 the Berlin Wall. Amy Schwalb Photography

www.amywed.com

  Thank you for visiting my blog!

 

     Who am I?

  I am a certified VA teacher in Fairfax County and I'm designing this website for FCPS (Fairfax County Public Schools). I have a masters in instruction and curriculum from GMU (May 2010) with dual endorsements in secondary social studies and special education. 

 

1. One of my goals is to write online lessons that conform to Virginia and FCPS standards. Teachers have told me that webquests or online primary materials, don't fit the VA standards and the lessons are too long.



VA Standard WHII.3a, 3c Reformation in Germany

Martin Luther translated the Bible into German here

at Wartzburg Castle. His apartments are preserved along

with several 16th cen. Bibles. Amy Schwalb Photography

 www.amywed.com

   2. My goal is to provide quick online lessons that center around primary sources. I think too many students tune out social studies because it's too dry, too many abstract facts, and textbooks are boring. I was a history major and it was only then did I realize that the primary sources are what makes us relate history to our modern lives.

VA standard WHI.9d Castle in Middle Ages France

This is a open air history project in Northern France. They

are building a castle using without any modern technology.

Amy Schwalb Photography www.amywed.com

 

 

3. I have traveled to most Europe and I have a cache of travel photography.  I write this blog because I have two loves is history and photography.  I want to share my photos and what I've learned. I've been to the places that students read about and I've noticed that students are more interested in history when I say I've been there. I have been on private tours of Berlin, Florence, Pompeii, Naples and I want to share my knowledge with others.

VA standard WHI.5a Greek colonization of Italy

Greek temples at Pastuem Italy. These temples date earlier than

the Partheon and are good examples of Doric architechture.

Amy Schwalb Photography www.amywed.com

 

 

4.  I believe that history can be far more exciting if students were exposed to more personal stories.  I think that history is personal. I'm trying to find primary sources that are written by young people if possible. Students say they can't relate to social studies. Why not use poetry, diaries, and accounts from other people their age?
  

VA Standard Govt.11a  1st amendment rights of assembly

Greek anarchists protesting in Athens in spring of 2012

Amy Schwalb Photography www.amywed.com

  5.  My idea is to provide lessons that allows students to do what historians do.  By  secondary school, students and teachers should be discussing the transition to work or college. Students should explore what historians do: reading primary sources and then make conclusions. This will not only encourage higher level thinking skills which are vital for the workplace or for  future schooling.  

6. Finally, I want to provide as many accomodations as I can so that all students can participate.  I have embeded or linked videos to my posts with subtitles or transcriptions as much as possible. I have defined words and used simplified language. I have linked to interactive visuals such as virtual tours, interactive maps and photos. I have tried to reduce the reading as much as I can. Lastly, I've tried to make the activities as active as possible. Students have to learn by doing, analyzing, or evaluating.

VA standards WHI. 6g Pax Romana
A rich Roman house in Herculaneum. The wooden screen or
tablinum is preserved in the back and frescos are still visable.
Amy Schwalb Photography www.amywed.com


    Please use my blog to enrich your lessons. I've tried to make the lessons short (15 mins) because I know that social studies is a SOL subject and everyone has to review for it.

     However, the timing of these lessons will depend on your students. You know them best and what they can accomplish.  Some of the lessons are short and some are a bit longer. You, their teacher, can divide up my lessons over a few days, if that is what is best. 


VA Standard WHII 6e French Revolution

Marie Antoinette was imprisoned in this fortress called

The Conciergerie during her trial. Amy Schwalb

Photography www.amywed.com  

     I do not have any restrictive access to this blog (username and password) because that only causes more grief for students who frequently forget them. However, this website Blogger is blocked by certain schools. As of this writing, I have found that most secondary schools allow Blogger access.

    All I ask is that my photography is not copied, duplicated or posted elsewhere. I make careful use of any media that I post. I want to model how to cite and use resources legally. Just because it's on the internet does not mean that the poster consents to any copyright infringement. Please offer me the same courtesy and do not copy my pictures.

    I'm using MLA to cite my sources because I know students use that style. I'm used to APA and Chicago, so if there are mistakes, please let me know.

Thank you and please subscribe and give me feedback!
 Amy