THE HOGGATTEER REVOLUTION
  • Homeroom
  • Orientation
    • Class Handbook
    • Family Involvement
    • Meet the Teacher
    • Place in the World
    • Teachers: File Cabinet
  • Positivity
    • Insightful Poetry
    • Inspirational Prose
    • Meaningful Quotes
    • Positive Behavior Conversations
    • Scripture Studies
  • Exploration
    • Celebrate Good Times (Come On)
    • Cerebral Cinema >
      • Hoggatt-Made Videos
      • Mood Music
      • Music Appreciation
      • Positive Behavior Conversations
    • Coursework >
      • Cultivating America
      • Focus on Science
      • Let's Communicate
      • M4+HEM4+1C5
      • Missouri, USA
      • Recess Bell
      • Scripture Studies

Ways Students Influence a Teacher

7/31/2021

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We often hear that a teacher doesn't do things for the income, but that a teacher does things for the outcome.  While it is true that none of us would do this job if somebody didn't pay us, there are other ways that teaching is profitable for the teacher.  Our students bring many things to the table that benefit us, and often we - the teachers - get more out of the relationship than the students do.  Here are just a few off the top of my head.

Cheers
There are many opportunities to celebrate achievements, and that's not just the "final" achievements that come through awards assemblies, but I'm talking about the little day-to-day successes our students reach.  For some, it might be learning to tie a shoe.  For others, it includes the ability to correctly identify parts of speech.  One student finally masters subtraction with zeros, while another learns how to plot lines on coordinate graphs.  With our students, there are all kinds of achievements - celebrations of reaching just one more step in the learning process.  There are very few jobs that celebrate the steps along the path to final production like this one does.

Challenges
While that is true, our students also challenge us...in a good way.  Students keep teachers on their toes by asking questions.  Any teacher worth his salt will continuously work on growing in knowledge and in skill.  I love coming up with new ways to engage my students, but I also enjoy learning new content.  If I don't know it well, you can bet some student somewhere will stump me...

​Humility
...Which leads to humility.  As much as I don't like getting stumped, getting stumped reminds me that I am not flawless - that I, too, am a work in progress.  There is another commonality between my students and myself, and while I might try to cover for my shortcomings, it truly does keep me humble.

Laughter
We laugh every day.  If we aren't laughing and smiling and enjoying ourselves in Room 404, something is not going right.  I have the infamous Hoggatt Frown that has been passed down through generations.  It is a hereditary facial expression that, even though we try, we don't have any control over.  It is often mistaken from grumpiness or conceit.  That said, my students can still tug at the edges during our interactions in class, and for that I am thankful.

Pride
When a teacher refers to a class as "my kids", she usually means it.  We kid about raising children who aren't really ours, but in a way they are.  The teacher can become another parent in a way, and we are proud when "our kids" make good.  I love to be there when somebody jumps an academic hurdle, and yes, I feel as if I have jumped it right alongside him.  Sometimes I'm even more proud than his parents.  I've invested a lot into "my kids" and they make me feel great when they see their own growth.

Provides Hope
We wonder how the kids can be so great.  With all of the things they have to overcome in today's world - the influences of alcohol, warped media, divorce, pornography, video games, drugs, human trafficking, and violence - sometimes coming directly from the home - some of my students have seen and experienced much more horrific things than I have.  And yet, I can spot such potential in them.  I pray their attitudes not be disfigured because of the crowds they hang around, that they not slip into the same loose lives that they see around them. For some, it's a long shot, but the potential is there.  Perhaps we can break the cycle of drug abuse, generational poverty, and violence.  Hope is a big word, but it's also the right word, if only we can get students to see it the same potential that I see.

Again, this must be a partial list of the benefits students provide for a teacher.  To my peers, please look for these and others as we begin a new school year this fall.

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PPP: Stop Working Us when We Have Work to Do

7/30/2021

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This is a big one - professional pet peeve, that is - and with more and more years of experience, it continues to elude me as to why logic appears to be  thrown completely out the window.  I'm not sure if we put much thought into it; maybe it's just the way it has always been done, and we have never considered that we could improve on the process.  I say all of this not to criticize and grumble, but simply to illustrate that school districts across the nation can be made better by putting more thought into the way we do things. 

First of all, every teacher needs to realize that the best laid plans that you've worked on all summer - to make your classroom better and take your students further - can be thrown out pretty quickly when wrenches are thrown into the works during a before-school-begins inservice.  This is when we get the biggest changes that administrators have been cooking up all summer.  A few years ago, I ran into a big ol' wall when this happened.  Initiatives flew at us left and right - programs and data collection and common assessments that were stifling and crippling.  It all came to a breaking point for me, and I was ready to throw in the towel in the middle of the night.

That's why I still cringe when I see that envelope in the mail:

Welcome back!  I hope your summer is going well.  We're getting ready for our biggest school year ever.

Well, it was.

Then I get that feeling in my bones like my college girlfriend of six months has just cancelled our relationship. It's an anxious tingle that I just can't seem to shake - a complex mixture of anger, confusion, and frustration that, for some reason, the powers that be can't seem to understand.  That's because certain bosses seem to think that we need to be welcomed back by spending hours upon hours telling us things what could have been put in a minute-long email.  They don't understand that teachers have things to do.  Open House is on the horizon, and they expect the rooms to be clean and presentable, parent handouts to be ready, and smiles broad, but all contract time is stripped away because we needed to have a pep rally first, and then we have to hear about new programs and initiatives that we're implementing for everyone alike.  I've written about cookie-cutter professional development until I'm blue in the face, and there are certainly more "surgical" methods to training teachers if we would just seek them out.

That's when we realize that if we're ever going to have things ready for our new students - to make the right impressions up front - teachers are forced to break into the school before our official contract time begins for the year.  This is especially true at the elementary level where considerably more decoration is expected.  I know the room doesn't have to look perfect for Open House or for the first day of school, but something's amiss if it's not. We can really feel like we're behind the eight ball.

Why not relocate the training?  Put it a couple of weeks into the year.  Or better yet, tell us the necessary information for the next school year before school lets out for the summer.  That would give teachers the summer to stew and simmer and plan for the next year.  It would also allow for more time collaborating with our peers (if needed), getting new teachers acclimated to their new lives, and making things presentable for the hopefully-smooth months ahead.

There is always room for improvement.


Find more Professional Pet Peaves.
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Quote:  Challenge

7/29/2021

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"Don't confuse motion and progress.
A rocking horse keeps moving
but does not make any progress."

(Alfred A. Montapert)
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School Board Recognizes History T.O.Y.

7/28/2021

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At every school board meeting, the board recognizes reasons to celebrate the Joplin school district.  Within that list at the July meeting, last evening, school board president Jeff Koch included an explanation of my recent Missouri Teacher of the Year award from the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History.  People present at the meeting applauded, and the meeting (in the video below) continued for another ninety minutes, working on the business of running a school district.

Still, a few words at the end the meeting meant even more to me.  In the last business of every school board meeting, there is an opportunity for members to share their takeaways from the meeting.  Board member John Hird was the one who spoke up, saying, "I'd just like to say I think Dale winning the History Teacher of the Year, that's highly commendable, that's fantastic."  Another member of the board, Brent Jordan then recalled, "My girls had him in class.  He is a top-notch guy."
I sent a message to school board members following the meeting to share my appreciation for the support and recognition.  Koch acknowledged, "We are happy to celebrate our own!"  Jordan sent, "You epitomize what education should be! My kids were beyond blessed to have your instrument."
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Book:  Pay Attention, Carter Jones

7/27/2021

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Here is an example of style overcoming substance.  There were definitely some strong points in the telling of Carter Jones' story, but the overall constant repetition really gets in the way in the end.  Written from the point of view of a 12-year-old, the writing style just wasn't believable in this one.  I enjoyed it at times, but then it really distracted from the story.  While "pain in the glutes" was funny the first dozen time I read it, it lost its originality along the way.

In addition, I'm just not sure that Carter didn't do something man to his dad when they visited the Australian Outback.  It wasn't clear whether that was a bad dream, a panic attack, or an actual flashback.  Plus, it's more than a little bit irresponsible that the butler encourages Carter to drive the Bentley.  None of the characters, including Carter's own mother show any sign of apprehension in allowing him to chauffer his little sisters around town as needed, and that part of the story really does nothing to advance the plot.
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Description from Goodreads:
Carter Jones is astonished early one morning when he finds a real English butler, bowler hat and all, on the doorstep—one who stays to help the Jones family, which is a little bit broken.

In addition to figuring out middle school, Carter has to adjust to the unwelcome presence of this new know-it-all adult in his life and navigate the butler's notions of decorum. And ultimately, when his burden of grief and anger from the past can no longer be ignored, Carter learns that a burden becomes lighter when it is shared.
Actually, Author Gary Schmidt seems to be trying too hard to combine a couple of things in this book.  Not only does he write in artistic circles, but he also attempts to introduce readers to the game of Cricket. I've never seen a game of Cricket, so I wondered if he might educate me along the way.  In short, the attempt was made, but fell far short of me understanding without looking up Youtube videos to figure out what he was talking about.
Don't get me wrong:  I didn't hate the book.  I thought it was average, and certainly better that the other two Mark Twain Award nominees I've read so far for 2022.  My favorite character is (by far) the butler who gave some LOL dialogue throughout the story without even trying to be funny.  I'm not sure many fourth graders would find him as hilarious as I did, however.
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History T.O.Y.:  Responses and Appreciation

7/26/2021

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The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History deserves a big handshake of appreciation.  This institute is responsible for the dispersal of many history resources focused on their immense collection of primary documents.  Books, posters, online resources, and expertise are all available through a connection with the institute, and they are a valuable, ongoing source of support, including thee naming of state and national History Teachers of the Year.

​I also cannot thank friends, family members, colleagues, acquaintances, and strangers enough for the support I have received since the announcement of being awarded the title of 2021 Missouri History Teacher of the Year, organized and facilitated by the . 

I have received hundreds of congratulatory messages on social media.  The school district posted the announcement.  The Joplin Globe put an article online.  And the likes, loves, comments, and shares came rolling in.  I honestly was not expecting the response the announcement received.

​I have often wondered at the person who wins an award and then says it is a humbling experience, but this has announcement that has helped me understand.  When I think about the people who received the award in the other forty-nine states and three other categories, I realize that my qualifications may not match theirs and that my qualifications may not meet the requirements for the national award.  Yes, the humbling comes in the realization that there have to be others who prepare better, teach better, and know more about history then I do.  At the same time, I don't doubt that I have traits that the others do not.  It is hard to explain the humbling and the other emotions that come with this announcement.

Colleagues

Congratulations!! Love the passion you have for teaching history! That is by far my favorite subject to teach also. Much deserved recognition!
That’s awesome! Way to go!!
That's AWESOME buddy!!!! Well deserved and CONGRATULATIONS!!!!
Woohoo!!!  Congratulations!
Congratulations!! We are so very proud of you...!!
Wow congratulations! and please don’t retire yet. We need that history taught!
Awesome! Congratulations to Mr. Hoggatt!

Parents of Students

Wow!!!!! Congratulations[.]
Fantastic!!!! That is awesome!  Congratulations!
Congratulations, Mr. Hoggatt! Well deserved!
Awesome accomplishment!
Congratulations Mr. Hoggatt! Much deserved and I’m not at all surprised.
My Daughter. his Former Student, [s]aid she LEARNED the MOST from Him OVER any Other Teacher she's Had So Far Her (EXACT WORDS)  WAY TO GO...!
Congratulations- well deserved! Thank you for loving what you do and sharing it with so many!
Congratulations to the very best teacher!!!!
[My stepdaughter] cried the last day of school this year because she loved her time with Mr. Hoggatt so much. This is a well deserved award to a man that puts a lot of work into his craft as a teacher! Once a Hoggatteer, always a Hoggattee[r]!
So awesome! My [daughter] loved having him as a teacher!

Acquaintances of My Parents

Wow! What an honor! Congratulations...!
Fantastic!!! Congratulations to him, and I know you’re so proud!
Woohoo! Hooray! Way to go! (I have some extra buttons...if you popped all of yours off. Lol!)
Fantastic and congratulations!!
How wonderful. I know you are very proud of him[.]
How awesome it that[!]
CONGRATULATIONS!!  Awesome honor...!!

Administrators

Way to go, Mr. Hoggatt! Very much deserved!
Congratulations... Very glad for you and the district for your well deserved honor.
 Congratulations!!! Well done and well deserved.
Congrats...! A well deserved award!
Nice job...!!! So deserving!

Students

Way to go!! One of my all time favorite teachers!
 Congratulations Mr. Hoggatt!! You deserve it! ​
He was my 4th grade teacher back in 2008! He definitely deserves this!   Congratulations[!]

Former Colleagues

Congratulations...You are so deserving!!
Congratulations!!! That is awesome!
Absolutely deserving! Wonderful teacher! Congrats!​
Well done! Congratulations!
 This is so awesome! ​ CONGRATULATIONS!!!
He is an amazing teacher leaving a wonderful legacy!​
​I want to wish you congratulations for your 2021 award for Missouri History Teacher of the Year!! That is a wonderful achievement, and you completely deserve it!!

Church Family

What an achievement. I am proud to know you.
I AM SOOOOO IMPRESSED..., BUT, am NOT surprised of this award for you! You are an AWESOME teacher, Christian, orator and preacher! We are very, very PROUD of you!
Congratulates...on a wonderful teaching career, you deserve it!!!
I’m very proud to know...and call him a friend. He’s a terrific teacher of the Bible as well. We’re blessed to learn from him regularly at the Columbus church of Christ.
[W]hat an enormous well-deserved achievement!  Congratulations!
Congratulations! A very deserving teacher!
That is wonderful!!! What a honor! And well deserved! Congratulations!
[Y]ippee!  Congratulations[!]
That is wonderful!!! What a honor! And well deserved! Congratulations!

Strangers

Hundreds of  "congratulations" also came from folks I don't know.  Here is one example:
​I just wanted to congratulate you on being named the Gilder Lehrman Missouri History Teacher of the Year! I checked out your website and it looks like this is one more achievement in a fantastic career. It is obvious to me how much time you put in your classroom and your craft so this award is certainly a reflection of all that hard work. 
Congratulations to all the State Teachers of the Year and especially Missouri's [Mr.] Hoggart (sic) who has a killer website! ​

Family

Congratulation I always wondered where I got my fascination with history it must run on the family[.]
Wow! What an honor! Praise the Lord for you, your passions and your heart of our nation and it's children! Thank you and congratulations!
Congratulations. This mama is proud of you!!!!
Congratulations!!  Always very proud of you.
WOW!!  CONGRATULATIONS!!
It has been interesting to see these and many other positive and supportive comments on social media, in addition to hundreds of likes, loves, and wows.  I've seen former students and peers who I haven't heard from in a while, as well as some people who only rarely post anything on their own pages.  I don't know if humbling is the correct term, but it's all I can come up with right now.  Thank you to everyone for your support.

For more about the award, go to the History Teacher of the Year page.
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Music Appreciation:  Stand Up

7/25/2021

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Students are often called upon to read "chorally".
That is, they read together simultaneously

as a group.

Repeating this practice assists young readers with reading fluency - the speed, accuracy,
​and inflection of  oral reading.


Why not, since it's called "choral" reading anyway, actually read the chorus of a song? ​​
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History Teacher of the Year:  15-Page Plan

7/24/2021

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I recently learned that a committee chose me to be the Missouri History Teacher of the Year for 2021.  My selection for this award came after my application (question responses, a resumé, a recommendation, and a 15-page lesson or unit plan) was reviewed by the committee.  I was pleasantly surprised to here from the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History, telling me that my application was chosen in our state.

I introduced my 15-page lesson submission for the National History Teacher of the Year like this:

Cultivating America is a curated, created, and organized collection of more than 100 evolving “lesson sets” for our yearlong United States history study, beginning with the early colonization on the east coast and ending with Westward Expansion. I have made these sets publicly available for teachers and students on our classroom website at hoggatteer.weebly.com/cultivating-america.

I acknowledge American history here – an acknowledgment of mistakes and unfulfilled promises, backroom politics, racist legislation, and the instigation of violence. There are chances to tell the real stories – more compelling than the latest juvenile fiction, more disgusting than recent horror movies. Here are characters – of different ages, genders and races – who are full of depth, flaw, vision, and heritage. Here are plots with sharp edges and hairpin twists. Here is the chance to teach figurative language, inference, theme, and finding main idea and details.

The collection is organized, with opportunities to teach cause and effect, chronology, problems and solutions, and more. I focus on looking for details – studying the forest and the trees, appreciating the grandeur and the beauty of a vista while investigating the components that make it work. This is an excellent start to teaching students to write organized paragraphs, as well as objectively interpret primary sources. I include several opportunities for simple observation and data collection, connected with high-order thinking skills and all kinds of analysis, evaluation, and development. Threaded

Throughout my Cultivating America lessons are activities designed to guide students into making accurate, scientific, and objective observations of materials and data, and then drawing conclusions based on evidence. Students also demonstrate the ability to synthesize information with what they have already learned to be true.  The unit included here is interspersed through the school year in order to maintain focus on objective translation of material culture and primary sources. In an attempt to instill value and an appreciation for real items and documents, my fourth graders also need to touch and feel three-dimensional objects. As a result, they are more capable to discern information in our historical documents when they come up (also throughout the year). 

I also wanted plenty of opportunities to ask rigorous questions, starting with What do you notice? and continuing with What do you wonder? Students learn quickly to start with what they already know (which might be very little) and put the rest together.  Sometimes the lessons leave them with more curiosity than they entered the classroom with. Here is a place to find economy, politics, geography, and history, but there is also mathematics, reading, science, writing, listening, and speaking. Plus, for good measure, there is music, physical activity, and visual art wherever possible. There is variety, at times giving teams a chance to work together and wrestle with the material. Also here is entertaining content delivery, sometimes heavy with drama, but many times with an infusion of humor. Student engagement is certainly a top goal in my teaching.

I intentionally focus on character and citizenship. Actions have consequences. Actions have equal and opposite reactions. Reactions can take a relationship in multiple directions. We do not shy away from meeting the needs of children on a daily basis, stopping any academics that may be expected to deal with issues that may arise. We know that behavior and relationships must be in place before the “three Rs”. I attempt to infuse these U.S. history lessons with proactive and inspirational messages to quell the problems before they arise.

Finally, the integrated lesson sets at hoggatteer.weebly.com/cultivating-america are a demonstration that it takes hard work to achieve. If that is true in the Revolutionary era, it is certainly true in the 21st century. As we continually strive toward the American Dream, as we continue to pursue happiness, and as we build upon the founders’ attempts to make a more perfect union, let us never forget that opportunity does not knock upon pillows. We must stand, dust ourselves, and lean forward into the winds of resistance. These lessons teach students that dirty fingernails, winded breathing, and pungent perspiration are often the only means by which we achieve.
For these lessons, I also included some General Objectives:
* Make objective observations of objects, situations, and primary sources
* Apply prior knowledge and skills to the interpretation of objects, situations, and primary sources
* Make accurate predictions based on factual inferences
* Communicate conclusions to peers or other audiences
* Respectfully discuss alternative conclusions
* Remain consistently and deeply engaged with American history

​* Become increasingly curious about America’s story
As far as the lessons themselves, try these on for size (Some of these can be found in some form on the Cultivating America page.):
  • Dig It!
  • The Lost Colony
  • Burial Dig
  • Primary Documents
  • Artifact Analysis
  • World's Fair 
The conclusion to the 15-page plan read as follows:
We know certain truths to be self-evident – not just the ones concerning life, liberty, and the pursuit happiness, but also the ones that let us know that history is ugly and that history repeats itself. Regardless of the former, teachers must reveal facts to students.  We do this by allowing our pupils to interact with primary artifacts and documents for themselves. It is my personal desire to grab my students’ attention, get them interested, make them think deeply, and inspire them to learn more. More so, however, we learn from the mistakes and triumphs of history, always with our own citizenship in mind.
Package all of these along with miniaturized respond sheets and photographs from our engaged classroom, and there was a lot of material.  It is fun creating these types of submissions, but it also allows a large degree of self-reflection and creativity, as well.

For all of my posts addressing the process, including a link to the full, 15-page plan,
​please see my History Teacher of the Year page.
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"Uranus, Missouri"

7/23/2021

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On our way home from St. Louis, we had to stop at the often-inappropriately-punny Uranus, Missouri.  It's hard to believe how far they take the puns at this place on the side of Interstate 44.  While here, however, we spotted the world's largest belt buckle.
There is a circus sideshow museum on the property and coming soon are themed escape rooms.  For now, though, our St. Louis vacation is over, and it's time to rest up for a couple of days.
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History T.O.Y.:  Recommendation Question III

7/22/2021

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Before I was selected as Missouri History Teacher of the Year for 2021, I had to submit some paperwork - a 15-page "unit" plan, a resumé, and of course, a recommendation from my supervisor.  Mr. Bozarth answer some questions regarding my competency and abilities in the classroom.  One such query involved how I help students develop a passion for the study of history.  His response:

Mr. Hoggatt reminds me of one of my favorite college professors.  His excitement and passion for American history permeate through his daily lessons.  This excitement becomes contagious in his classroom where his students are eager to explore new materials and engage in the curriculum.  His creativity and ability to think outside the box enable him to create an appetite in his students for the study of history.
I, too, had a teacher who developed that kind of interest in me.  Though her interests were in ancient Egypt after visiting the place in the 1970s, and mine in Colonial America have been rekindled in more recent decades, we each have tried to light fires in our students through our experiences.  

Terms like excitement, passion, permeate, contagious, and appetite represent strong word choices for Mr. Bozarth to use referring to my craft.  I like that he also uses words like eager​, explore, engage, and create ar also great descriptors for which to reach.

For all of my posts addressing the process, please see my History Teacher of the Year page.
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Fort De Chartres:  Inside

7/21/2021

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Wonder about fort life in the 1750s-1770s?  In the reconstructed Fort de Chartres in Illinois, some of the rooms are furnished with period pieces to spark the imagination.  The French architecture is espcially evident in the rafters on the second floor.
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Fort De Chartres:  Outside

7/20/2021

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Uh oh.  It's a 18th century  French fort with rock walls!  Fort de Chartres was built between 1753 and 1755, replacing earlier wooden forts by the same name.  According to a sign, the Treaty of Paris passed possession of the fort into British hands.  With the Mississippi River encroaching on the walls, the fort was abandoned in 1771.

We had the place to ourselves on the day of our visit, even in the museum in one of the rebuilt buildings. The video (right) shows the wall on the "land-gate" side.
Another sign tells visitors about Lewis and Clark passing the spot on their way to the confluence of the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers, before wintering nearby.  Clark noted in his journal that they passed the stone ruins in this location.

Come along with me in video  formas we enter through this gate which, is currently is unguarded by French and English alike.  Too bad we don't have costumed interpreters and reenactors to provide soundtrack and information to our visit.

Since I spent a week at Fort Ticonderoga on Lake Champlain in Upstate New York, almost two years ago, I was able to interpret this star-shaped fort's walls for my family.

Even though I wasn't able to go to a place-based teacher institute, this year, I still thought I could provide a 360-view of this historical site.  Enjoy this video, showing the fort unstained by the presence of people in 21st century garb.
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History T.O.Y.:  Recommendation Question II

7/19/2021

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In Principal Bozarth's recommendation submitted to the folks at Gilder Lehrman for my consideration for History Teacher of the Year, he was asked for his thoughts regarding my engagement with the field of American history. Specifically, they wanted to hear about "leadership in the field, extracurricular activities, etc."  His answers to the questions are greatly appreciated as they helped name me the 2021 Missouri History Teacher of the Year.

My brief answer to this question will certainly miss the mark on detailing Mr. Hoggatt’s engagement in the field of American history.  He has routinely participated in summer teacher institutes such as Fort Ticonderoga and the George Washington Teacher Institute.  Each time, he returns and shares these experiences with his students and colleagues.
 
Mr. Hoggatt has also partnered with Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art over the past three years to bring history to life in his classroom with original works of art.  Mr. Hoggatt takes all of this a step further in his daily lessons as he uses American history to teach cross-curricular assignments that incorporate math, language arts, and science, allowing him more time within the school day to devote to his passion for early American history.  Many of Mr. Hoggatt’s history lessons and ideas are available on his class website for anyone to use, and he also shares them in professional development opportunities.
I can appreciate that Mr. Bozarth hit upon my collaboration and relationships with Mount Vernon, Fort Ticonderoga, and Crystal Bridges.  I also like his recognition that I openly share many materials with anyone interested in them. Some may consider my introversion to be something that it is not, but the truth remains that I try to pass on just about everything I've learned and collected through the years.

For more about the award, go to the History Teacher of the Year page.
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Chester, Illinois:  Popeye and Friends

7/18/2021

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We're on our way to an 18th century stone fort when we find ourselves in Chester, Illinois.  As soon as we cross the river bridge, the welcome sign declares "Home of Popeye", and there is a statue of the cartoon character at the welcome center.  My wife and I remembered reading about the town's infatuation with the sailor man in one of the tourist magazines.  It seems Popeyes creator, E. C. Segar, hailed from this small Illinois town, and Popeye provides a sense of unity to them.
In addition to Popeye himself, 15 other characters from the original comic strip and Segar himself (dressed like Sherlock Holmes) are depicted in statue form around the town. This might just be my wife's favorite part of our vacation.  This is where she gets to imagine she is a contestant on The Amazing Race.  She wasn't going to stop until we drove to find every one of the sites on the map (Thankfully, we had a map.).
If you ever find yourself in Chester, you have to stop at a place called Spinach Can Collectables.  Here is a delightful shop with all kinds of Popeye kitsch.  Along with collectables and some really creative t-shirt designs, display cases are filled to the brim with Popeye antiques and toys.  Want some old comic books?  Those are here, too.
Our son loves Popeye, so while he was bored with French architecture, he perked up at this find.  The lady in the shop was pretty thrilled that an 11-year-old liked the classic Popeye cartoons, appreciating the black-and-white offerings to the more recent reiterations.

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History T.O.Y.:  Recommendation Question

7/17/2021

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​One of the requirements for the application for the History Teacher of the Year was a recommendation from a supervisor.  His recommendation is one reason I became the 2021 Missouri History Teacher of the Year.  In Principal Bozarth's recommendation questionnaire, he responded to some questions from the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History.  One of the questions asked him to provide three attributes (and examples) that might qualify me for the award.  His response covered setting, culture, and professionalism:

Mr. Hoggatt applies a unique creative approach to his lessons.  He routinely finds ways to incorporate lessons with project-based learning, immersing his class in tea party situation or placing them in a decision-making process to simulate the Continental Congress. Visitors will notice period artwork and documents displayed in his classroom and projected for students to observe or evaluate.
 
Mr. Hoggatt also builds a classroom culture that is unlike any other.  His students are initiated as “Hoggatteers” from day one, and embrace a family approach, which encourages them to go outside their comfort zone while embracing mistakes as learning opportunities.
 
I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the level of wisdom & discernment that he brings to the Cecil Floyd school family.  His years of experience and institutional knowledge are second to none within our staff, and he often brings clarity in a decision-making process for this school’s trajectory.  Many teachers across the district respect Mr. Hoggatt’s vision and approach.
I'm humbled by his response.  While these are areas where I strive to shine, I am not successful as often as I wish. I guess that's true for many people.  It is comforting that these are areas that are actually recognized by the boss.

For more about the award, go to the History Teacher of the Year page.
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