Classroom Organization: Creating a Space Where Learning Happens
Reading Time: 3 minutes Classroom organization is an important element in providing rich learning experiences for students. It focuses on the structural aspects of how a teacher arranges the classroom with the goal of creating a positive and organized atmosphere where learning happens. More specifically, classroom organization involves organizing a classroom in a way that […]
The Lasting Legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” Speech
Reading Time: 4 minutes On August 28, 1963, Martin Luther King Jr. delivered one of the most iconic speeches in American history, “I Have a Dream,” from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial during the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. This speech not only became a defining moment in the Civil Rights movement, […]
Geography and History: A Dynamic Duo in the Classroom
Reading Time: 4 minutes Have you ever found yourself looking out the car window as you drive to visit family, take the kids to the beach, or even just to go grocery shopping? Have you wondered about how geographically different it might have been in the past? Maybe you wondered how history shaped the present […]
The Modern Classroom Approach to Your Secondary Social Studies Classroom
Reading Time: 6 minutes “I don’t know what else to do…” Those are words that I, and many educators like me, have said when looking at how to support our students. Teachers work incredibly hard to simultaneously prepare their students for standardized testing while also making sure each individual has what they need to be […]
5 States That Have Excellent Civics-Learning Standards
Reading Time: 6 minutes Civics education helps students understand the structure and functions of government, the rights and responsibilities of citizens, and the processes by which laws are made and enforced. This knowledge is fundamental for informed participation in democratic processes, such as voting and engaging in public discourse. Civics education fosters a sense of […]
Psychological Influences in Personal Financial Literacy
Reading Time: 4 minutes In his book, “The Psychology of Money”, author Morgan Housel wrote “Your personal experience with money makes up maybe 0.00000001% of what’s happened in the world, but maybe 80% of how you think the world works.” My journey with money started in a working-class household where saving was considered a luxury. […]
Key Themes when Teaching about American Independence Day
Reading Time: 5 minutes The Fourth of July, also known as Independence Day, is a federal holiday in the United States that commemorates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. Many American consider this holiday as a day to celebrate a national identity, reflect on the history, and enjoy festive activities […]
Using Simulation-based Learning to Enhance Social Studies Instruction
Reading Time: 4 minutes Simulations are fascinating. I am not referring to the one featured in the Matrix films, but rather learning simulations created by teachers in the classroom. Simulations allow students to physically interact (in a limited and imaginary capacity) with the content that they are learning. This direct interaction is often preferred to […]
5 Education-based Memoirs to Inspire Teachers Over the Summer
Reading Time: 3 minutes For educators, summer break is a time to reset and relax from the previous school year and eventually prepare for the year ahead. Many teachers and school staff will take time for vacations, family, and rest; others will take time for professional development or growth opportunities in their field. Whatever summer […]
Using Best Practices to Support the Implementation of Online Testing
Reading Time: 5 minutes Being an educator in an industry of ever-changing pedagogy, curriculums, and politics can be both stressful and daunting. However, adaptation is necessary for success. Since I began teaching in 2002, education has had several shifts. But, one of the more recent ones, online testing, has captured my attention because it has […]