Oh Freedom!

The traveling exhibit Oh Freedom! is at the Historic Walnford Park. It showcases the African-American experience during the Revolutionary War. Check it out online at: http://www.state.nj.us/dep/parksandforests/historic/oh_freedom/index.html to read more about it.

Census Map

The 2010 US Census was highly promoted earlier this year. Remember the Superbowl commercials? Since the Census happens only every ten years, it's important that every household participates. The U.S. Census Bureau has a response map to identify each state's participation. Check it out: http://2010.census.gov/2010census/take10map/

It's interactive and very interesting. Look up New Jersey if you can! Be sure to click on the link that says View National Participation. You will then type in your city and state.

Summertime Exploration

School is almost out and summer is in bloom! Be sure to get out and explore New Jersey this summer. The Battle of Monmouth Re-Enactment takes place from June 19 & 20 at the Monmouth Battlefield State Park. Watch the Continental Army fight the Loyalist British troops before your very eyes. Watch gunners load and fire the canons. Discover the encampment where physicians treat the war victims. Hear the account of an African-American soldier's experience in the Revolutionary War. It's an incredible experience. And it's free for you and your family to enjoy. For more information, visit http://www.state.nj.us/dep/parksandforests/parks/monbat_re-enact-index.html.

Gulf Coast Oil Spill Online

Watching the Gulf Coast oil spill live online is a surreal experience. It is horrifying, historic, and oddly addictive. Periodically, I will go online to www.cnn.com to watch the live video stream. So this makes me wonder, are teachers/educators using these resources such as the live video stream to engage in discussion(s) and lessons with their students? It's an incredible opportunity. Think about it, the fact that this broken gusher is a mile down in the Gulf of Mexico and yet we, here in New Jersey, can watch a live video of it?

Digital History in NJ

There are many resources for educators and students alike in New Jersey. I went to http://www.njdigitalhighway.org/ and found that they have excellent resources. From lesson plans and supplements to other archival websites, there are many ways to enrich the instruction of New Jersey History. It's a rather busy site with lots on information. Wading through it is a bit much, but for the determined person, finding the information is like finding a treasure trove.