Mr. Langhorst is an 8th grade history teacher from Missouri. His blog focuses on discussions and podcasts regarding education, technology and history. This summer, he attended a workshop at Mount Vernon where they studied George Washington. He has posted several podcasts to help share his experience with others.
I either never knew or had forgotten that George Washington was an innovative farmer in addition to being the first president of our beloved country. Mr. Langhorst was able to study Washington as a farmer at a summer seminar in Mt. Vernon. It was there that he created his lesson plan for students to analyze Washington's decision to switch from the well established tobacco farms at the time to cultivating cereal grains. He has a wonderful graphic organizer for the students as well as a video documenting a lecture from the Mt. Vernon seminar on Washington's "big decision". I feel the lesson was a great way to introduce a new side of one of our country's most prominent historical figures, showing his innovative thinking. Mr. Langhorst's inclusion of the student organizer along with the supporting video and PDF files make this an excellent lesson plan available for any secondary level history teacher.
In addition to enhancing a new lesson for his class, Mr. Langhorst utilized his podcast to help his students connect with the experience. He posted several photographs taken in the early morning of the same views Washington enjoyed from his front porch overlooking the Potomac. He also recorded a short bit describing how well the grounds had been preserved. The ability to provide such visual aids really helps students connect with a lesson so much more than just reading about it. Through his pictures and videos, the kids can feel as if they were on the grounds of Mt. Vernon as well. I commend Mr. Langhorst on his motivation for teaching.
Visit his blog: http://speakingofhistory.blogspot.com
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