LET YOUR STUDENTS KNOW THEY ARE SAFE!

Our nation seems to be imploding with strife and hate.  When children see adults screaming at each other, and hurting each other everyday in the news and social media,it will spill into our classrooms.  This is a time calling for American educators to step up and do our part!

Fellow teacher, do not despair or feel helpless in this crazy world.  Now is the time for us to effect a change in the areas we control; our classroom; our interactions with our students.  Each of us can start on the very first day with small acts of kindness and kind words.  Even though our actions may seem insignificant, they are not.  Our small acts will carry the day.  We may not see the outcome our actions, but we will start a ripple that will change the life a student, and possibly others.

My last post was about how we, as educators, can support and help our students feel safe in our classrooms. But I wanted to help other educators in their efforts.  This is why I am giving away a free mini-poster from my Teacher Pay Teacher store.  I call it the "Stop the Hate Poster".  It can found here, and download, 100% free!  I created it in PowerPoint and it's editable, so you can make changes as you see fit.  Please share with as many teachers as possible!

History, acting, and drama = high student engagement!

My students love this history activity I call it Spot the Impostor. It includes acting and drama as students learn about historical people.

This one activity, students will explore Dr. King.  This activity is student centered as the students think like detectives -trying to figure out which people are the impostors, and which is the "real" Dr. King. 

Three students will be chosen to pretend they are Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. They will appear next to each other in the front of the room facing the class. During the activity, the three will be asked questions by other students in class. The questions will be about Dr. Martin Luther King’s life. The students will have prepared answers they will read from a script.

Ten other students will ask questions during the game (see student scripts). They will be assigned a number from 1 to 10. This is the number of the question they will ask when the game begins.

After every question, the three Dr. Martin Luther King’s will each give an answer. “Number 1” will always answer first, “Number 2” second, and “Number 3” third. Only one of the three is really Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The real one will always tell the truth when answering questions. After all 10 questions have been asked, class members will vote for the person they think is they real Martin Luther King.

Also, all students will complete a "score sheet" to keep notes as the questions are being asked.

This activity can be found here.

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.

Geography: The FAST FOUR reasons why it is important

As a social studies teacher for almost twenty years, many times during open house I had to justify to parents the importance of social studies in our schools.  But when I was asked about the subject of geography here are my FAST FOUR reasons why kids should be learn geography.


1) Geography is key to all other subjects! Econ, government, and history are all rooted in geography.   A nation's economy is based upon the nature resources, which are directly related to geography.  Governments, there successes and failures are based upon geography.  Also, representation in many democratic nations are directly tied to geography.  Finally, history - wins and losses based upon geography.

2) Geography is most relevant!  It's the most likely social science my students will deal with after high school.  Let's face it. As a government teacher, I want all my students to be well informed and participate in our government.  But, statically speaking, they will not vote, let alone write their congressional leader.  Sadly, the same might be said for their historical skills.  But, how likely will they be to use a map?  No matter if that map is printed on paper or on a GPS.  How many of our students will deliver pizza, or need to read a bus route map?  I think most of our students will.

3) Geography helps me understand the world!  Geography is so much more than memorization of capitals and the place of a nation on a map.  It's the understanding of cultures, religions, and languages.  Geography will give my students the basic tools to unlocking the world outside their culture.  It allows the to understanding how people across this huge globe survive.

4) It's the BEST tasting  subject!  Okay, I love history and I love government.  But, how often do I get eat totally different foods when teaching government or history.  Yes, sometimes in history.  But, in geography the opportunities for new foods abound.   What better way to a student's heart (and mind) than through their stomach...

Also, if you are looking for some great geography lessons, check them out here: Social Studies Super Store