5 Random Things from the Web…

Brad Burenheide, history, photos, primary sources, Uncategorized, websites

First off, NCSS is next week.  I’m stoked looking forward to traveling to St. Louis for four days of interesting social studies exploration.  I will be doing a blog post Friday evening or Saturday morning of some of the things I’m experiencing at the conference.  I hope to have some great stuff for you.  Now onto today’s post.

Sometimes when I get brain fatigue, I wind up falling into Internet surfing and finding things that pique the historical part of my brain and at least get me back into the mood to do some thinking.  As I prepared to write this blog post, it was at the end of a twelve-hour day, and I am suffering from brain fatigue, and over-caffeinated, and ready to “veg” out.  This leads me to the post I struggled to get onto today. Continue reading 5 Random Things from the Web… →

Who doesn’t love playing games?

Cassie Medley, instructional gaming, technology, Uncategorized

Recently, during an inservice, we were discussing vocabulary and creative ways to help students study and learn their vocabulary words.  Several great ideas were presented, but my favorite has quickly become Quizlet.  You can either access this program online at quizlet.com or download the app onto iPads for quicker access.  What I find most beneficial about Quizlet is that the students get to play fun games, and Quizlet will produce a test and grade it for you (what teacher wouldn’t love that!). Continue reading Who doesn’t love playing games? →

Teaching with movies

best practice, Glenn Wiebe, lesson plans, movies,

Several years ago I wrote a post titled “10 Movies Every Social Studies Should See.” Of course, I added some extra bonus movies. I love movies and am convinced that using short video clips from featured length movies in the classroom is a good idea.

And, yes, I’m probably encouraging the stereotype of social studies teachers / coaches showing movies every week so that they can read the newspaper, break down game film, or drink coffee. But I will always argue that appropriate use of video clips and movies is great for kids.

So some resources to help break the stereotype: Continue reading Teaching with movies →

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! →