Honest answer: In high school, my history teacher made history sound really cool. I wanted to do that.
What it turned into? A million different things.
While learning history in college, I realized everything history is. I could use history to teach my students bias and perspective and some serious analytical skills. I could teach them a new way to look at the world.
As I have interacted with students throughout the past 2 years, I am continually more motivated to provide them with a support system. Many of my students do not have that.
It started out as something that seemed cool and has definitely developed into a passion. I don’t think a person ever has the opportunity to alter another’s life the way a teacher does.
Recently, there was a guest post that dealt with this issue over at Free Tech for Teachers. I really liked their advice.
Back up plans for when you are using/directing the tech:
If students are using tech (think: projects in the classroom)…
Basically, if you are planning a lesson with technology: Be ready to completely throw away the lesson one day and have to rearrange your schedule (don’t we deal with this everyday anyway?) Also, don’t be afraid to ask the students for help. They have solved my problems before!
Greg Kulowiec addresses many teacher-concerns about using cell phones in the classroom to implement tools like Polleverywhere (violating school cell phone policy, students without cell phones, and questioning strategies). If you have considered using Polleverywhere in your classroom, give this post a read.
What a great resource for history teachers out there.
PS: Maybe there should be a History tracked tag :o)
- Phillip Done, “32 Third Graders and One Class Bunny” (Teacher Moments)
I have started my summer job full force, and start grad school tomorrow night, so they are a pretty jam-packed ten days (plus finals). My apologies if Things for Teachers becomes a little low on original stuff until mid-June.
Tumblr Teachers (education majors, substitutes, teachers)- what are you doing this summer?
If you want to learn more about Collaborative Learning, this would be a great place to start. The site’s on the older side, but the content is good. There are even teaching strategies and advice sections.
- Five myths about America’s schools
Goody bags for my seniors!
I like to do something special for my seniors on the last day of classes. I do different things every year, depending on who the kids are and what sort of resources I have at the time. This year, I made the goody bags in the picture. I was inspired by ohmuffins’ post about the bags she had made for her students. I made goody bags a few years back and figured it would be a good thing this time around since I only have 26 seniors.
So I wrote them a letter (see below) and included 13 items, one for each year K-12. I photocopied the poem for them, excluding a particular line that I thought was distracting. About half of my students (including boys) started crying, they were so touched. I cried too. It’s been a tough love kind of year.
A Letter to my Students, on the Last Day of Class:
Over this past year, your senior year of high school, you have carried on through moments of triumph and despair, happiness and pain, laughter and anger. All these moments have helped you become the people you are today. I have been your teacher and sometimes your confidant through some of these times: We have laughed; we have cried; we have worked together; we have danced. When I look at you, I see so much promise in each of you. Thank you for all the lessons you taught to me, and all the good times we shared.
I would like to share a little with you. If you look in your goody bag, there you will find a motley assortment of things that on their own have little intrinsic value, but each represents an idea or a hope I have for you as you continue to carry on, into the great unknown that stretches before you. So many wonderful things await you. This ending is just the beginning.
1. Bookmark- I hope you make reading a part of your life and that you find enjoyment and satisfaction in it.
2. Candle- May you always have a light to guide you through dark times, and that each candle on your birthday cake represents another good year behind you and a happier one to follow.
3. Rubber band- I hope you stretch yourself to explore your talents and interests.
4. Bandage- Life sometimes involves pain, and I hope there is always someone there who will help you when you fall, just as I hope you will help others in need.
5. Ball- May you always have fun, bounce back from adversity, and seek new heights.
6. Marker- Go forth and make your mark upon the world boldly and confidently.
7. Eraser- Mistakes will be made but I hope that they are never so great as cannot be erased or made up.
8. Toothpick- I hope you pick your words carefully so you won’t have to worry about your mouth.
9. Pom-pom – May you be cheered by a warm, fuzzy feeling whenever you need it most.
10.Kiss- I hope you find a love that will sustain you and inspire you throughout your life.
11.Smarties- Because you are so smart, you will know what to do.
12.Penny- Change is often overlooked, but a little change is good and sometimes all that you need to get ahead.
13.A Poem- I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.
Your devoted teacher,
Ms. T
I LOVE THIS.
Who I am: A fourth year high school history teacher at an urban(ish) high school in New Jersey.
What I blog about: Stuff related to education I like, and stuff I hope can help other teachers out. Technology, deals on supplies, helpful books. My focus lately is on educational technology & related resources. Occasionally, I also post things related to education reform. Because I post articles that I feel will be of interest to teachers with varying views, the political-related posts made here do not necessarily reflect my beliefs or opinions, nor do they reflect the beliefs of my employer.
What I like learning & reading about: Other teacher's opinions about and experiences with teaching & education. How I can enrich my classroom and reach out to my students. If you write about this stuff, let me know, because I probably want to read it.
What you should submit: Anything that could help a teacher.
Media Consolidation:...
The problem with teaching is, if you took home...
A History Question. #sschat
