Heuvelton Teachers at the Constructivist Conference

Thirteen teachers from Heuvelton Central School attended the Constructivist Conference, which was held at St. Lawrence University this past July.  We worked on improving student achievement through reading and writing using the Common Core.  For many of us this conference has become an annual event because we have the opportunity to work with our colleagues, get to know other teachers and learn from them.  The conference has break out sessions where experts share their knowledge and we get the time to work on our own projects with facilitators to help us along the way.  The Constructivist Conference is one of the best workshops I've ever attended.

Busy Year...

Whew!  The past year has been super busy both on a professional and personal level.  While the personal stuff has settled (we moved and built a new house), professionally it looks like another busy year.  We have implemented the Common Core in New York State, so my partner and I have been working together to integrate our curricula based on the ELA modules.  I thought this would be a challenge, but quickly realized that many of the learning goals in ELA were almost identical to the Common Core Social Studies learning goals.  It was a great relief to say the least!  We also worked to develop Marzano scales to assess if students had mastered the learning goals.  It was daunting, but I think we have a good set of scales to begin with.  Our district has also implemented two new software programs, iObservation and eDoctrina, so we've been working hard to learn how to use these.  We have had summer training as well as training during the school year to help us.  With all of that going on I decided to update my unit plans for both 7th and 8th grades to better reflect the Common Core and align with ELA.  I'm not done, but I think I've got a good start.  Our district also hired a new Global Studies teacher who I will be mentoring.  I'm excited because I always learn something new from the new teachers I mentor.  So I guess I won't be slowing down any time soon, but that's what makes life interesting...

War of 1812 Talk

Agent 13 in the North Country – SLCHA’s War of 1812 Program on Saturday!

  

Canton How did an American-born undercover spy working for Spain become commanding General of the US Army during the War of 1812? Better yet how did this spy, [codename: Agent 13] remain undetected, unlike Benedict Arnold, his friend during the American Revolution, or more modern spies like the Rosenberg’s? The answer might disturb you. Crack the mystery of Agent 13 when Matthew Dudley presents Agent 13 in the North Country on Saturday, May 4^th, 2 p.m. at the St. Lawrence County Historical Association at the Silas Wright House, 3 East Main St., Canton.  This War of 1812 program is part of the St. Lawrence County Historical Association’s Commemoration of the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812, which was fought from 1812-1815.  St. Lawrence County was one of the battlefields of the War of 1812. 

Matthew Dudley’s research on General Wilkinson's fall from prominence will take you through our own backyard and the General's final mistakes along the St. Lawrence River that would destroy his future as an officer and as a Spanish agent. Dudley’s presentation will also include his plans for further investigation of Agent 13 this summer in Seville, Spain, at the General Archives of the Indies.

Matthew Dudley is a history major at St. Lawrence University.  He attributes his interest in history to spending so much time with his Nana while growing up, when they would watch the History Channel all the time. She recognized his love for history early on and helped nurture it. Dudley specifically remembers bringing in the Civil War related history books she gave him for his sixth birthday to 1^st Grade Show and Tell.  Dudley, of Cazenovia, NY, is also a member of Laurentian Singers at SLU. In the future he hopes to continue his studies and attain a master’s degree in a linguistics-related field.

The SLCHA Gift Shop is a great way to learn about the War of 1812.  Books include The War of 1812 Activity Book and Sackets Harbor Powder Monkey, a young adult novel by local author Hope Marston.  SLCHA members receive a 10% discount on these books and most other items in the gift shop.

The St. Lawrence County Historical Association at the Silas Wright House is open Tuesday through Saturday noon to 4 p.m., Friday noon to 8 p.m.  Admission to the museum is free; admission to the archives is free for members and children, $2.50 for college students, and $5 for the general public.  The St. Lawrence County Historical Association is located at 3 E. Main St., Canton.  Parking is available in back of the SLCHA, next to the museum’s main entrance.

The St. Lawrence County Historical Association is a membership organization open to anyone interested in St. Lawrence County history.  For more information, or to become a member, call the SLCHA at 315-386-8133 or e-mail info@slcha.org.  War of 1812 programs are made possible in part by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature.  Visit the SLCHA’s website, www.slcha.org, for more information on St. Lawrence County history.

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