Category Archives: strategies

iPad apps and the C4 Framework for Social Studies

best practice, C4, common core, historical thinking, ipad, standards, strategies, technology, ,

I spent most of the day today talking iPads with K-12 teachers in all contents. But I have to admit – my favorite part of the day was the two hours spent with social studies teachers.

C4-logoWe chatted about a variety of things but the focus was on iPad apps and activities that aligned to my recently released C4 Framework for the Social Studies. For those unfamiliar with the C4 Framework, we’ve broken down the NCSS national social studies standards, the Common Core literacy standards for the social studies, and the new Kansas social studies standards into four easy to follow themes that can help you plan high-quality lessons and units.

The idea behind the C4 Framework is to incorporate each of the following items into your lesson and units: Continue reading iPad apps and the C4 Framework for Social Studies →

The Game Is Afoot!

Brad Burenheide, history, instructional gaming, strategies, Uncategorized

In a soliloquy from Henry V, the title character announces “the game is afoot” in encouraging his men to battle.  That is how I oft feel about my teaching repertoire.  One of the things that I absolutely love in my teaching is the use of games and simulations to immerse students in the context and experience of social studies content.  What is better to teach students about the areas of our content by having them do it.  With games, I find it more efficient and more interesting to have them play a game to find out about an event, rather than a dry lecture or textbook worksheet..  Fortunately, I stumbled across a site for fellow game-junkies that has high-quality online games for you to utilize in your classroom.   Continue reading The Game Is Afoot! →

How I use “Discrepant Event Inquiry” in my classroom

best practice, common core, graphic organizer, historical thinking, history, lesson plans, library, literacy, Megan Klassen, photos, primary sources, strategies, Uncategorized, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

A few years ago, I was introduced to “Discrepant Event Inquiry” from Glenn Wiebe. (Here is another post about it from his History Tech blog). The idea is that you take an image and only reveal a little bit at a time. As I reveal a little bit of the picture, the students must guess Who is in the picture, What is happening, When was the photograph taken, and Where is this taking place. This encourages students to think outside the box and it also does WONDERS with questioning and how to ask the right questions. Naturally, I turned this into a competition. Continue reading How I use “Discrepant Event Inquiry” in my classroom →

When One of Your Heroes is a Bad Person…

Brad Burenheide, history, lesson plans, primary sources, reading, strategies

I must confess that as a history junkie I consistently became a “fan” of some of the historical figures that I have studied.  While not a professional historian, I realize that this can be a no-no when you get into the research of one of these individuals.  As has happened many a time, I was heartbroken the more I found out about these individual’s unsavory habits:  William T. Sherman thoughts on the African-American, Churchill’s drinking more than what should have been humanly possible, LBJ’s “locker-room” behavior.

A Person With Foibles

All of these things brought the startling reality of these humans being in reality, humans.  While still disappointed in the behavior of historical heroes, it added a depth of complexity and dare I say aesthetic pleasure to my historical study than I have ever enjoyed before.  In the remainder of this point, I want to share an activity with you that may paint a picture you did not know about Albert Einstein.   Continue reading When One of Your Heroes is a Bad Person… →

Visual Vocabulary

Cassie Medley, professional development, strategies, Uncategorized, Vocabulary

This week in my class we are starting a new unit that comes with several vocabulary words that my 7th grade students aren’t used to hearing. Before jumping right in to the content I want to make sure that they have the background knowledge they need to comprehend what we are learning, so we are focusing first on the new vocabulary. Continue reading Visual Vocabulary →