Something I like to do with my sixth graders is start each unit off with a vocabulary activity. There are several different things I’ve done, sometimes I take about 30 words from the unit and have the kids put them in categories before I tell them what the words mean. I let them choose the categories as long as they have at least 4 or 5. Kids work in groups then share with the class. We compare categories and see which ones are similar – it’s a great way to introduce words that kids have never heard of before. Continue reading Vocab: A great place to start!
iPad apps and the C4 Framework for Social Studies
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.
We 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
Happy Thanksgiving, Happy Hanukkah! Internet Finds!
As I sit in my recliner on this Thanksgiving Eve, I want to wish all of you a restful and relaxing holiday. If you take on the hustle and bustle of the shopping season, you are on your own!
With that in mind, I want to share with you a few of the great finds on the Internet dealing with Thanksgiving and Hanukkah!
Library of Congress Thanksgiving Sources
The good folks at the Library of Congress have put together a good page of visual images and some documents that should help teachers of all grades make some sense of the Thanksgiving holiday.
Trivia: This year is the first time in 125 years that Hanukkah and Thanksgiving overlap.
Library of Congress Blogger Caitlin Rizzo on Hanukkah
Last year, Caitlin Rizzo from the LoC put together a good blog post on Hanukkah with an interesting activity at the bottom. The goal is to read a poem of Jewish Poet Emma Lazarus for each day of Hanukkah.
Where world religions are often taught about this time of year, I encourage you as a teacher to explore this website. Often, I find several interesting entries to promote my thinking in exploring religions.
Article from IBTimes in the UK about Hanukkah
History.com’s treatment of the Mayflower Compact
As always, I want to give you resources to utilize on certain subjects, they may be useful, they may not, but I hope you glean at least one thing from them.
I wish you nothing but the best and hope that you can “sprint to the finish line” of 2013. Have a great holiday weekend.
In social studies,
Brad
#NCSS13 in St. Louis, Missouri
Greetings from the “Show Me” State!
I happen to be at the premiere social studies education event in the country. Approximately 2500 social studies educators, professors, and exhibitors have crowded the St. Louis America Convention Center for the annual conference of the National Council for the Social Studies. I always look forward to this event and find it to be one of energy and it recharges my batteries after I hit the Fall Doldrums of the School Year.
It is also exciting for me. My hotel is literally a stone’s throw from the arch and the Edwards Dome where the Rams play. I walked to the conference last night in the rain, mist, and fog and in looking up, the upper half of the arch was covered. It was beautiful. Continue reading #NCSS13 in St. Louis, Missouri
A whole bunch of History Twitter feeds
Okay, I may have done the math wrong. But whatever the number is, it’s a bunch of very cool and useful Twitter feeds. Grab a couple or three of them and expand your Personal Learning Network.
A quick and easy way to grow your list is to check out who these users are following. In no time, you’ll have tons of links to tons of stuff.
And be sure to scroll down for some basic info on using hashtags! Continue reading A whole bunch of History Twitter feeds
