Trapped in History

Within this episode, we will explore the concluding phases of the Protestant Reformation and the Catholic Counter-Reformation. We’ll delve into the Wars of Religion, including the Dutch Revolts, the St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre, and the War of the Three Henrys, and examine the Thirty Years' War from its beginning, middle, to end. Finally, we’ll discuss the Peace of Westphalia in 1648, it...

Within this episode, I describe the turbulent middle years of the Protestant Reformation, focusing on key events like the end of the Diet of Worms, Martin Luther’s excommunication, Henry VIII’s reaction to Luther, his subsequent divorce request from the Pope, his separation from the Catholic Church, the establishment of the Anglican Church, the publication of Thomas More’s Utopia, his subsequent e...

Within this episode, we discussed Jacob Newsom's background, his experience as an educator, his advice for AP teachers, and his teaching philosophy. This was another meaningful conversation that I hope many of you find value in investing your time on this episode. Thank you for your support. Email Links: robert.malcomson@logan.kyschools.us trappedinhistorypodcast@gmail.com

Within this episode, I discuss the onset of the Protestant Reformation with Martin Luther, Ulrich Zwingli, and John Calvin along with the responses of Pope Leo X. Additionally, I discuss the meaning of indulgences and the overall importance/influence of the Reformation in the short term and long term. I hope that you find value in this introductory overview of the beginning of the Reformation. Soc...

Within this episode, we specifically cover the topics on our study guide for class. I am doing this because I previously missed six days of our Unit 1, so I wanted to provide an opportunity to get the information needed for the test and still be able to do our Socratic Seminar tomorrow. Email Links: robert.malcomson@logan.kyschools.us trappedinhistorypodcast@gmail.com

Within this episode, I discuss the majority of major topics in the Age of Exploration as well as how they are connected and influence the Commercial Revolution in Europe. This episode concludes my series on covering the Renaissance and Exploration from a broad perspective. Quote of the Week: …it was upon these gentle lambs imbued by their Creator with all of the qualities we have mentioned, that f...

Within this episode, I focused on connecting the Renaissance to the onset of European Exploration and the beginning/effects of the Reformation in conjunction with exploration and colonization. Quote of the Week: “To give light to those who are in darkness and to grow rich, as all men desire to do.”  – Prince Henry the Navigator, Portuguese Explorer and founder of the School for Navigation . Docume...

Within this episode, I have a meaningful conversation with educator Nelson Bodenbender about his career so far as well as his personal experiences. He shares teaching advice, trials and tribulations, and his personal strategies towards teaching AP US History. Email Links: robert.malcomson@logan.kyschools.us trappedinhistorypodcast@gmail.com

Within this episode I discuss the connections between the Italian Renaissance (Ep. 17) and the Northern Renaissance. Additionally, I go through different segments on the Northern Renaissance, Naturalism, the Printing Press, New Monarchs, and Erasmus. Quote of the Week: “ The desire of knowledge, like the thirst of riches, increases ever with the acquisition of it .” - Erasmus, Christian Humanist,...

Within this episode, I specifically address an overview of the Italian Renaissance, Humanism, Individualism, Secularism, and Petrarch. Furthermore, I had a quote and document of the week that you may find value in viewing below to use for class or to gain a deeper perspective of the topic. If you teach AP Euro or you are a student then you may find this meaningful when doing Unit 1: Renaissance an...

Within this episode I had a meaningful conversation with Jared Frederick about his personal and teaching background. Additionally, we discussed the merits of using movie/film clips within class to enhance our level of engagement and purposefulness with our students. Please subscribe to Reel History on YouTube and/or consider purchasing any of the books that he has completed on his website for exce...

Within this episode, I continue my segment of offering a history quote and Document of the Week. More important, I was fortunate enough to have a meaningful conversation with National Board Certified Educator, Chris Huston. We discussed his background as well as a unique teaching strategy that he uses for AP European History. Quote of the Week: “ History is, more often than not, our present politi...

Within this episode I will breakdown and analyze my Instructional Planning Report from our AP Exam results from the spring in order to strategize what I need to do for the next school year. Additionally, I will foreshadow our upcoming guests and topics which will be covered in future episodes for this Fall. Email Links: robert.malcomson@logan.kyschools.us trappedinhistorypodcast@gmail.com

Within this episode, I break down the format of LEQs, and the rubric, and show an example of an efficient opening paragraph to the LEQ. I also started a new segment in which I have a quote of the week and a document of the week. AP European History Course Guide and Description LEQ Rubric is within the PDF file above Past AP European History Exams Link Email Links: robert.malcomson@logan.kyschools....

Within this episode, I discuss the importance of teaching students how to do a DBQ in preparation for improved writing ability, analysis, and to prepare for the AP Exam in May. I go over the AP Rubric in detail and I give suggestions for how to prepare students for this kind of writing throughout the school year. AP European History Course Guide and Description (Rubric is within the course guide P...

Within this episode, my wife and I share the announcement of our first and only daughter. She was born last week and we thought we would take a break from history and teaching for an episode to update all of the listeners about our lives. Enjoy this short, but meaningful episode! Email Links: robert.malcomson@logan.kyschools.us trappedinhistorypodcast@gmail.comn

Within this episode I address the second of four parts on the AP exam, the SAQ section. We will look at the format of the questions, the common academic vocabulary used, and an example to break down. I have provided relevant links below to help anyone interested in these whether as a teacher, student, or someone just interested in history. Relevant Links: AP European History Course Guide and Descr...

Within this episode we tackle our first historical topic, the Wars of Religion in France from 1562-1598. I described the topic's significance in relation to the Fall 2023 AP European History Course Guide and Description and the importance of contextualizing this event within the Protestant Reformation. It is important to view the Course Guide in order to meet the expectations of what to know f...

Within this Part II episode, I focus on how to create and/or answer AP history multiple-choice questions based on primary sources while using an example from the Italian Renaissance about Machiavelli. I used a website entitled High School Test Prep to provide the prompt, questions, and answer choices. Links: ⁠Heimler's History: Multiple Choice⁠ ⁠High School Test Prep Questions for Renaissance⁠...

Within this Part I episode, I focus on how to create and/or answer AP history multiple-choice questions based on secondary sources while using an example from the Italian Renaissance. I used a website entitled High School Test Prep to provide the prompt, questions, and answer choices. Links: Heimler's History: Multiple Choice High School Test Prep Questions for Renaissance Email Links: robert....

Within this episode, I address the style of testing I use for summative assessments in World History and AP European History. At our school, we are mandated to use Pear Assessment ( formerly Edulastic ) through Pear Deck Learning . This has been an excellent program to use! During this short episode, I go over some of the possibilities of using this software in your class. If you have any question...

Note-taking is an important aspect of teaching history, especially any AP course. In this episode, I tackle what note-taking style I prefer to use in my AP European History class. I learned Geo-SPRITE as a strategy recommended to me by Kenneth LeSage in APSI training. I am unable to provide a link to PIRATES or Geo-SPRITE Documents (or PDF) However, I would be honored to share it with you if you s...

Within this episode I go back to the AP European History Course Guide and Description PDF and describe the format of the AP European History Exam. We go over what to expect for multiple choice, short answer questions, the document-based questions, and the long essay questions. I also explain how I do the mock exam and form activities around getting them prepared for this test in May. PDF Link: AP...

This episode addresses how to begin the approach to teaching AP European History for the first time. I will share when I started teaching it, my first APSI Training in 2018, and I will go over the general overview of the Fall 2023 AP Course Guide and Description. Follow the link below for the link to reach the PDF file. AP Central Link: AP Course Guide and Description Email Links: robert.malcomson...

Within this episode, I cover the historical content that will be addressed in the future of this podcast. Additionally, I amend some aspects of my teaching background in order to give listeners a more accurate idea of the different subjects I have taught. If you have any questions, requested topics, or recommended future guests please email at either link below: Email Links: robert.malcomson@logan...