A CALL FOR MORE SOCIAL STUDIES CLASSES

It seems teachers and all people evolved with education have been talking about the need for students to learn empathy.  But the real question is, why do our children need this now?  What has changed in American society?  Might my solution be this simple?

Teachers and administrators have witnessed students committing mean and brutal acts to each other. Some students might intimidate or isolate another student in the hallway because they are not wearing the “coolest” brand of shoe. And another student might call a student a racist name in a Facebook post.  Nobullying.com reports 52 percent of young people were bullied online, and 10 percent of middle and high school students reported to have received some kind cyber hate message.  No matter the how or where, we all agree bullying needs to stop.

Is bullying anything new?  No.  But, the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) reported bulling in American schools have increased by 24.5% since 2003.  At the same time 71 percent of our nation’s 15,000 school districts have reduced the hours of instruction on many classes, including history.  Because of national directives such as the No Child Left Behind Act, school districts have trimmed course in areas such as history and other social studies classes to focus students’ studies on three subjects, reading, writing, and math.  These three subjects are important, but there is blowback for cutting social studies and history…

So I’ll cut to the chase:  Could classes like history and social studies put a dent in the number of student being bullying?  I say YES!

History and other social studies classes are built on the premise to understand or attempting to predict people’s behavior.  To understand the theory of supply and demand in economics, a student needs to understand the wants and needs of people.  In political science, you need to UNDERSTAND the politics of the 1950s, how the American public FELT about Communism, to get the old saying, “only Nixon could go to China”.

Better yet, in my US history class, I have students study the life of a Continental solider during the winter of 1777-1778.  Then my students place themselves in Valley Forge. My students write a letter to a family member describing life during this cold, harsh winter.  My students, if only for a minute, take themselves from their comfortable, safe classroom environment and place themselves in the shoes of a cold, hungry, scared American soldier.  Then, we share these observations and feelings with each other.

This is how we teach EMPATHY!  In math class students do not learn about EMPATHY as they learn about exponents or about cosign and tangent.  Empathy is NOT taught in science where they learn about the different biomes of the Earth.  Empathy is NOT taught in English where they learn about dangling participles.  But students learn about is in their social studies and history classes.

One possible solution to a complex issue of bullying might be to return social studies and history to the American middle and high schools.  These classes give students the opportunity to develop the skill to “see” an issue from another person’s part of view.

THE FAST FIVE STUDY TIPS

5 STUDY TIPS FOR STUDENTS

When I was a young student, I used to think there were two people in the world: Those born with smarts and those born WITHOUT smarts.  I saw this every day, as my "smart friends" earned high grades with what seemed like little effort.  But, now as an educator I understand these friends were working very diligently at home, even when they said they were not.  Any student can become the AWESOME student with some support and guidance.

So, here are some study tips I want to share with my parents.

#1) Get into the ZONE! Have your student work in a designated HOMEWORK ZONE in your home.  This means an area where students work WITHOUT their phones, television, or music playing.  This allows students time to focus on the task at hand.  Also, if possible, have the students work some place where you are close by.  This way, you can monitor their pace.  You can re-direct them if they put their head down, or begin daydreaming.

#2) Have your student go to bed early. Like the old saying goes, early to bed, early to rise...It is still true.  Bottom line, students need their sleep.  

#3) Take their cell phones away.  I know this is a HUGE battle.  I hear parents struggling with issue.  But this will help students get a good night's rest.  Studies have proven this over and over.  And one way handle this issue is have your student turn their cell phone over to you before they go to bed.  Why would they do this?  Because you will have the charger in your room.

#4) Break the FAST!  Breakfast is the most important meal of the day.  After all, their growing bodies haven’t eaten in hours by the time their alarm clock is ringing.  So, if your student skips breakfast, their tummy is growling which causes their mind to become frazzled.  So, when they have their stomachs full, students can focus during first hour history or math class.

#5) Ask questions.  When you and your student have a minute, ask a few questions about their day.  But the key here is to use open ended questions, like “What did you learn today in History?”, or “What book are you reading in English?”  Other questions might not deal with academics, such as “How was lunch today?”, or “Are you planning on going to the game this Friday?”  Any question get your student to understand their education is important.  If they know that it’s important to you, then your student will see education is important.

Finally, looking for a quick sub plan, or a lesson to mix up your teaching? Check out the Social Studies SUPERstore for all your needs!

Washing Machines? Is it really that simple???

Lately, there has been a chatter online about Whirlpool's program of giving washer and dryers to schools in an effort to boost student attendance.

And, it seems to have worked!

Here is link to a video about the program: Whirlpool Care Counts.

As a teacher for nearly 20 years, this is common sense. Students are very conscience about their appearance.  They want to be accepted by their peers.  So, why won't they care about wearing smelly clothes to school?

As a student teacher working at an alternative middle school in Spokane, Washington, I saw this first hand.  I overheard some of the eighth grade students making disparaging comments about another students because he smelled.

So, being perplexed about how to handle this situation, I took it up to my master teacher.  He's answer was simple, but was not easy...just talk to him about the smelly issue.  Boy! Speaking to a teenager about his body order? I did not look forward to this task...But, being an obedient and trusting student teacher, I did just that.

The problem was this student and his mother were kicked out of their apartment and living in a car. They had no washing machine, let alone money to wash clothes.  My solution was to have the student with his parent arrive at school on a Saturday.  I opened the school laundry facility (used by the gym for washing towels), and all was better.  Better yet, since I was there with the student, I used some of this time to give him some extra help on his school work!

Washing clothes can WORK for students!

Please spread the word.  See if your school can do this!!!

Also, looking for lessons or activities to spice up your classroom check out Social Studies Super Store!

Top 5 Teacher Inspiring Must See Movies

For many teachers school is about to start and summer is coming to an end.  So, to help motivate my fellow educators I've created a TOP FIVE must watch movies to help motivate you for the coming school year.  Some of these movies are oldies but goodies, and some movies you may not have ever seen or associated with teaching...

#1 McFarland, USA - What teacher would not love this heart warming movie?   This movie is based upon actual events of teacher Jim White, played by Kevin Costner, who restarted a cross county team at McFarland High School.  White's passion for the running and teaching is demonstrated as he works across racial lines to inspire his latino runners to become not only better athletes, but better people.  

#2 The Dead Poet Society -  Robin Williams played an English teacher in a fictional 1959 conservative boarding school.  Williams' character, John Keating, is eventually removed from his teaching position, but not before leaving his mark on his students.  A truly inspiring movie remind us why we teach!

#3 Mr. Holland's Opus - This 1995 teacher flick centers upon the story of Glenn Holland, a high school music teacher who aspires to compose one great piece of music. But the plot twist turns out when Mr. Holland's great piece is not a single piece of music...At the same time, this movie is story of devotion of love of family, teaching, and music. Like number two, this movie will help us forget the long hours we devote to our students.

#4 The Reading Room - This is a teacher movie that not many teachers have seen, but really should!  James Earl Jones plays as widower who opens a reading room in a poorer section of town.  But despite his goodwill, problems in the neighborhood threatens the safe place for young people to learn.  Jones' character address the problems head-on. I will leave so as not to give any spoilers.

#5 The Secret Life of Walter Mitty: Alright, this is not your typical teacher movie, but hear me out.  Ben Stiller plays the outsider and odd Walter Mitty who is being picked upon by his supervisors.  So, think of the student who struggles socially, but has a good heart.  I think of these students when I watch Walter Mitty. and how teaching is so much more than academics as my students struggle to find themselves.  Also, the movie demonstrates perseverance in the face of difficult situations...similarly to what teaching is about.

Also, if you are needing quick sub activities, movie guides, or something to spice up your classroom teaching please check out Social Studies Super Store for quick solutions.

AWESOME CUBAN RESOURCES

Lately there has been an increase in news stories about Cuba.  And why not?  Big, historical changes have occurred.  So, you might have students with some questions about what is going on, or how did we get there.

Here are some SUPER internet resources I want to share with you about Cuba.

• This is a short video created by a college student named Breanna Hagerman.  First off, Breanna has created a wonderful and insightful video about racial issues in Cuba.  I think most Americans would be suprised by what Breanna says in her video.  Also, the video is short, so it can be added any time in your class.  In the beginning, as a ticket out, where ever! The URL is https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OGMPIDkUnZQ.

• Want to show your students the "real" Cuba and the "new" Cuba - then I have a resources for you!  Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown in Cuba.  The video is on Netflix now.  It is great for the high school crowd as it includes the more hip parts of Cuba, as he interviews a Cuban hiphop artist.  And there is so much more.  Also, to help your students get the most out of this video here is an EXCELLENT video guide.  Check it out at Social Studies SuperStore.

• Lastly, this is a very interesting interactivity from the Kennedy Presidential Library.  It's an online simulation of the Cuban Missile Crisis.  It tells the story day by day with primary source. With your time to review.  The URL is http://microsites.jfklibrary.org/cmc/oct16/.

Finally looking for any social studies activities or lessons, please visit the Store/Social-Studies-Super-Store for all your needs.

NEW COOL GEOGRAPHY ACTIVITY

Hey upper elementary and middle school teachers, looking for a SUPER engaging geography lesson?  I have one for you!

Have you seen those colorful U-Haul trucks when driving down the highway?  If you looked closely at these trucks, you can see these images that include interesting facts about our states.  U Haul calls these incredible images SuperGraphics.

For this activity, students will visit the U-Haul website to complete a crossword puzzle.  Then, they can create their own SuperGraphic on their very own truck!

Also, the U-Haul website includes SUPER in depth information about these graphics.   Please check out this lesson at U-Haul website.

Also, if you have not done so yet, please follow me on Facebook at  https://www.facebook.com/socialsss/.

THE BEST TIME OF THE YEAR TO DO THIS.....

Yea!  For some of you, your summer break has started.

But for others, this is might be the last week of school.  And, sometimes this last week of school teachers are in this state of limbo with a few more days before the break.  What to do with finals completed, books checked in, but many of our students have checked out....

I LOVE this time of the school year.  For, this is the time I can indulge myself and my students and go a little deeper into a historical subject that we did not have time for during the year.

One way I do this is showing a historically based movie.  Why?  Because kids LOVE movies, and I LOVE history.

So here are a few of my favorite movies I have shown to my students at the end of the school year.

1) 42 - This is the best movie to grab my students attention. It has it all; sports, history, and a very compelling true story.  42 is about Jackie Robinson signing on with the Brooklyn Dodgers organization in 1945 to his historic 1947 rookie season and how he struggled against racism all the while breaking the color barrier in Major League Baseball.  
 

2) The Bridge of Spies - WOW, what a great historical thriller!  This takes place during the Cold War and is based on the 1960 U-2 incident during the Cold War the film tells the story of lawyer James B. Donovan, who is entrusted with negotiating the release of Francis Gary Powers.  But students will also learn more about the Berlin Wall, life in the East, and details of the American U-2 spy plane incident that was shot down over the Soviet Union.
 
 3) The Cinderella Man - A great movie for students to learn how daily life was for the average American during the Great Depression.  But, this movie is centered upon an average guy who has a chance to fight back.  This movie is very engaging since it's another great historical story that includes boxing and history.
 

4) Flags of Our Fathers - I had to include at least one war movie.  But, this is not your typical American war movie.  It tells a story of how history is open to interpretation.  How eyewitnesses see events differently, how others view historical events and what those events mean to them. The movie is centered around the 1945 Battle of Iwo Jima, the five Marines and one Navy Corpsman who were involved in raising the flag on Iwo Jima, and the aftereffects of that event on their lives. A powerful movie for the end of they year.


5) Miracle - Okay, another sports/history movie.  But, why not?  These stories are engaging. This is about the 1980 American men's hockey team defeating the Soviet Union, and later winning the gold medal.  All though the historical aspects are down played in the movie, the Cold War revival is there - and the other events weave their way into the story such as the American boycott of the 1980 summer Olympic games.
 

Then, to top it off, I have movie guides to go with all these movies.  Please feel free to check them out here.  Don't forget to click on the HISTORICAL MOVIE GUIDES tab in the upper left...

Also, if you are looking for the best Social Studies resources on the Internet, take a few minutes to check out the entire Social Studies SUPER store.

5 alternatives to the traditional professional development.

YEA SUMMER TIME!  Time to relax, put your feet up, and sleep in....Ya right....

As many educators know this is the time of the year to review what went right and what went wrong in our classes.  Also, it's the time of the year for some professional development.

What?  You haven't signed up for any because it's too late?!  Well, here are 5 easy (and cheap) alternatives to the traditional professional development.


#1 - EdX - Wow!  This is not your normal free college course resource.  I once tried a course based upon comic book heroes. The course include video lectures, discussion boards, short self graded tests, and peer feedback.  These courses are very engaging.  The pool of universities are limited to a small number. Some of these include MIT, Harvard, UC Berkley, and Boston University. Finally, as with most online classes they are all on demand.Click here to learn more about EdX

#2 - Read a book- I love this option.  It's not only the simplistic, but most convenient.  You can complete this any place. While on the sunny beach, on that long flight to paradise, or just snuggling in bed.  Also, you get to focus on the subject you want.  This summer I plan on reading about the war of 1812.

#3 -  Open Educational Database- This is the Costco of EdX.  Nearly every kind of course you can image can be found.  And like EdX, all courses are free, and each include videos. Click here to learn more about Open Educational Database.

#4 -  Free Social Studies webinars with the American Institute for History Education (AIHE).  These are top-notch Social Studies webinars.  The webinars are both content and methods webinars.  Once you have completed viewing some of the recorded webinars, you may take a short quiz and then receive a certificate of completion.  If you are a history teacher, these are awesome webinars.  The speakers are experts in their field, and I ALWAYS learn something new from every webinar. Click here for more information about the AIHE webinars.

#5 - EXPLORE:  Turn a family vacation into a family field trip.  When visiting San Francisco take sometime to visit the old Nike Missile sites.  When in any state capital, take an hour or two to tour the capital buildings.  All the kids will love this tour. Check out the architecture, learn about the state and their history. With a little planning, you can always learn something new to take back with you to your class while relaxing with the family!

LOOKING for the best social studies resources/ activities on the Internet?  Check out the Social-Studies-Super-Store. 

A FREE OFFER TO HELP YOU!

It's that time of the year for teachers to offer their closing thoughts to their students for the year.  This being the case, here is a speech I gave to my students for the academic banquet.

In this speech I discuss the most important trait a student needs to succeed, then I encourage my students to action.  Please feel free read and share as you like!


Please feel free to use this and/or modify as you like. The link is as follows:

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/FREE-end-of-year-speech-for-Secondary-teachers-2561402

The N word in the classroom

As an American social studies educator, it as my duty to teach students about the N-word.  After all, this word is not left in a vacuum.  There are times when teaching history this controversial word makes it's way into my classroom. Then as American history teacher, I stumble through this rocky territory when the N-word is addressed. 

ADDRESSING IT HEAD ON
When I teach certain eras of American history, the N-word unavoidably pops up.  There is no way to dodge it.  But, when it does, I address it head on with my students.  I remind students that examining history is not only studying old presidents and battles from long ago.  But it is important to study the social side of history too. What were the kinds of food people ate? What was their favorite music? Also, when studying primary documents, students study how people in the past spoke or how they used language. And this leads me to the N-word. 

First I explain to my students that the N-word (and other words like it), are used in my classroom ONLY in the historical sense.  But today, we do not use this word.  Most of the time, my students accept this explanation and we move on.

But, sometimes a student will push for a deeper explanation.  To which I explain the word is full of pain.  For many people the word drips with hatred, pain, and death. The N-word puts people of color in a subjective place in a society, with limited or no rights.  It's an outdated title used by those who seeking to keep power.

However sometime, I might have a student respond with, "But, Mr. Moran, today it's different.  The N-word is used by kids in conversations and in our music."

Yes.  This might be the case.

So I explain to my students the N-word was used (and, unfortunately still is used) by people who view people of color as being less than human.  But, in our society, all humans are born with certain inalienable rights, among them are the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. These rights also include the right to vote, fun for an office, and hold an office.  But, those who use the N-word deem to take these right from people of color.  For the N-word makes a human to be something less than human; without basic rights.  Even those who use it today in music or an any way.

I continue to explain, that I believe ALL my students (and people) have these god given rights and therefore humans.  This is why we do not use the N-word.

Looking for the best social studies resources such as movie guides, lessons and activities on the internet?  Check them out at the Social Studies Super Store.

Top 5 Teacher Job Fair Tips That Will Land You That Job!

It's that time of year when teachers will be attending job fairs around the nation.  Here are five best tips to get that perfect job!


#1) The Sales Pitch.  The administrators have only two, sometimes three minutes to size you up.  In a short about of time you need to answer these three questions: 1) What can you do for them and their students? 2) What makes you better than all the other candidates? 3) Can you walk into their building and teach tomorrow? These are the questions the administrators what to know. Answer these questions you will be off to a SUPER start.

#2) Stand out.  The administrators will see many candidates.  At the end of the day, they may not remember you.  So, stand out from the rest. How?  1) Stable a business card to your resume.  If you don't have business cards, get them.  2) Create a website - make sure you have that information on your business card. 3)When speaking with them, use their name.  This is an old sales trick, people love hearing their name.

#3) Arrive early.  When arriving early to the job fair, you can get the lay of the land. Many times you will be given a map of the fair. Prioritize the school districts you want to visit first.  Know which districts you will visit first, second, and third. 

#4)  Good Shoes:  Do NOT underestimate comfortable shoes.  You will be standing for what seems like hours and walking miles...well, not really, but by the end of the day it will feel like it.  So, wear those comfortable shoes to make your trek a happy one.

#5)   Prepare, prepare, and prepare:  This happens days before the job fair.  1) If you know the schools you want to apply to, send the administrators an email.  Let them know you are interested in a teaching position and you hope to see them at the job fair.  2) Better yet, visit the schools and meet the administrators a few days before the fair.  This way you have more time to meet with him or her and you will not be rushed.  Then, don't forget to follow up with an email!


ALSO - don't forget to visit my store for the best Social Studies resources on the internet at the Social Studies Super Store. Click here to check out the SUPER deals!

4 Poetry activities you can use tomorrow!

My students enjoy writing poetry in my class because it gives them the opportunity to be creative and demonstrate their knowledge a fun and different and fun way.

Here are some examples of using poetry activities I use in my class.

1) Cinquain Poem:  This is an old social studies stand by.  It can be easily used with ANY unit or concept.  Students who might struggle with writing poems also enjoy the Cinquain Poem since it follows a pattern.  But, writing the poem stretches the student's academically as they use words to describe the subject.

2) Acrostic Poem:  Another social studies teacher trusty activity.  An acrostic is a poem based upon a word (or a historical person) written in a vertical line.  Each letter of the word starts the line of the poem.

3)Diamante:  This poem is like the Cinquain poem since it follows a similar structure. But, this poem is written in the shape of a diamond.

4)Historical Person Poem:  Students follow a pattern to complete a poem about a historical significant person.

All these poetry activities are engaging for students.  Also, I sometime have students create color pictures with these poems.  By having students draw a picture is includes another modality of learning.

How to evaluate and where to find rubrics for these activities?  Here are rubrics for ALL of these poetry activities.CLICK HERE FOR THE LINK TO THE RUBRICS.