I particularly enjoyed the Texas State Cemetary. I’m weird, but I have always been fascinated with graveyards and have visited a few. I was also impressed with John Connely and Tom Landry but also the Civil War graves.

The opening session was quite impressive and the National History Day project was awsome. We are always told to do something different and the skit that was presented to us was definately different and unexpected. Those boys were talented. I attended a session making movies on using Microsoft Storyteller (I believe that is the name). I felt really good because my students and I had already done one for Black History Month in February using IMovie on the Apples. Its nice to feel a little ahead of the game for a change. The workshop that was of the most use to me was the one presented by the teachers from PA using not only Smartboards, but combining them with Elmos and creating interactive lessons that they are saving on their webpages, so that they can be accessed even if a student has been absent. I was so impressed that I went home and have requested 2 Elmos and 5 tablets (portable SmartBoards). The LBJ library was fascinating. He is one of my all time favorite presidents and the library was great. The Bob Bullock Museum reception was one the of the highlights of the trip. We also spent part of the first day cruising through the capitol building and it was great.

My only regret was not staying until Sunday. It seemed as if there were some really GREAT sessions on Saturday and Sunday.

Been a great 2 years and I know this summer will be just as great as the others.

Lookks like your page was heavily hit by spam…

Looks like your blog was spamed…

Looks like your blog was spammed…

Avatars, free avatars, anime avatars, msn avatars, yahoo avatars, animated avatars, neopet avatars, avatar…

Looks like your page was heavily hit by spam…

Day 1
I was really excited about this conference. I enjoyed the day that we got to spend in Austin visiting the cemetery and the Capitol building. I have not been to Austin since I was a little girl. It was nice to go back to the cemetery with grown up eyes and knowledge of the events leading up to people making it into the cemetery.

Day 2
I really enjoyed the general session on the first day of the conference. I was most excited about the National History Day project from San Antonio. I am new to the National History Day project and was not sure exactly what it was supposed to look like. I enjoyed getting to see a different example for the project.
The session that I wanted to attend was full by the time I got down to the room, I think that was the only thing about the whole conference that I was disappointed in, the small rooms they had for breakout sessions. I was able to attend the session from San Antonio ISD on how they have used their teaching American History Grant. It was interesting to see a different approach to history and the grant.
I also attended a session about the National History Day Project, what is it, how to implement it and how to use it as an assessment tool. I found this to be the most helpful session for me. As I said before I am new to a district that participates in this project and I had never seen or heard of it until I came here. After the general session this morning and this smaller session, I am so excited to get started on this for next year!
Another session I attended was the one about George Washington. I was interested in hearing this session because I have always been fascinated with Mount Vernon and I wanted to know more about the project to keep it going, and the research that is being done there. I was excited to hear that one of the stories that I have told my students about Mount Vernon during the Civil War is true. I had read in a book by Ann Rinaldi that during the war the care taker of the home asked both Generals for an agreement that Mount Vernon would remain neutral land. Rinaldi also told the story about visiting soldiers having to leave all weapons at the door, and they had to cover their military rankings before they were allowed to visit Washington’s grave.
We got to top off a great day by a great BBQ dinner and a chance to Explore the Bob Bullock Museum. I wish that I had the chance to visit again. There was so much to see. I would love to be able to bring my students to visit sometime!

Day 4
The General Session on Saturday was interesting as well. I really enjoyed learning new ways to use primary sources, such as poetry to help teach history. I am always looking for new and interesting ways to teach history.

This is only the second conference of this size that I have been able to attend. I really enjoyed this one much better than the first one.