Summertime Professional Development . . . sort of!

Brad Burenheide, websites, ,

I always set a goal for myself to begin working on improving some part of my professional knowledge with the goal of either writing a new article or a curriculum piece by the end of the summer.  My usual elaborate plan typically involves reviewing the key literature and updating my research base in June, then reading new works and ideas in July, and finishing writing in August.

Even when I was in the secondary classroom, my summer would be focused on rereading books I had encountered to glean additional information and picking out two or three new sources of information (invariably, it would be on the American Civil War.  However, I want my experience to be invigorating and stimulating, not dull and monotonous.  Dare I say, I even wanted it to be entertaining. Continue reading Summertime Professional Development . . . sort of! →

Got the whole world in my hands!

Cassie Medley, geography, lesson plans, maps

When it comes to social networking my generation left me in the dust in 2006 after I signed up for  Facebook, so this will be my first experience as a blogger (makes me feel very techy).  I say that I was spending all of my time coming up with creative and innovative ways to teach social studies and didn’t have time for the online social world!

16inchglobeballoonI just finished my first year teaching on Friday and to say it was a learning experience is a huge understatement.  One of my favorite lessons from the year was a simple, cheap, and easy idea that the students loved so much I did it twice!  On the first and last day of school, I grouped the students up and gave them a blue balloon and a green marker and we made globes.  Every 30 seconds they had to switch who was drawing so that everyone had a hand in the completion of the globe, and it gave them a chance to get to know each other at the beginning of the year.

The improvement Continue reading Got the whole world in my hands! →

TACOS Anyone?

graphic organizer, Megan Klassen, primary sources, , , , , , ,

Fortunately for me, my school district sends teachers to an AP Institute every other summer put on by College Board. In 2012, I attended one in Plano, TX and enrolled in a Pre-AP U.S. History course with Rhonda Johnson (who I decided is my hero). I learned so many great skills and strategies that promote historical thinking and analyzing in my students!

I went thinking I would get ideas for my 8th grade American History course (non-Pre AP) but instead I applied almost everything to my 6th grade Pre-AP social studies class. I’m increasing reading and writing skills while (quietly and discretely) preparing these 11 and 12 year olds for AP courses in high school! It. is. awesome.

Some examples: Continue reading TACOS Anyone? →

Professional Learning Opportunity

Brad Burenheide, professional development, ,

KCSS Board Member Dan Krutka sends word of the following professional development opportunity.

Dear Kansas social studies educators,

Please consider attending the first EdCamp (more info) in the state of Kansas on August 3rd at Wichita State University. This FREE unconference will allow you to learn from, and collaborate with, teachers from the entire state of Kansas. Sessions are determined on the morning of the event so bring your best ideas and resources with you to the conference.

Here’s what you need to know about EdCampKS:

What: EdCampKS is a FREE unconference devoted to K-12 issues and ideas and led by K-12 educators. All educators are welcome.
When: August 3rd, 2013 from 8am-4pm
Where: Corbin Education Center at Wichita State University (off 21st Street)
How: You can register for free right now!

More information? edcampKS.blogspot.com

Please direct any questions to dan.krutka@wichita.edu. We hope to see you at Wichita State on August 3rd!

Library of Congress Primary Source Sets

Glenn Wiebe, lesson plans, library, primary sources, standards, , ,

LOClogoIf you’re a US or World history teacher and are looking for great primary sources, you only have to go as far as the Library of Congress Teacher page. The LOC has so much great stuff, it’s sometimes hard to get out of there.

But I especially love the work the LOC staff has done to create what they call Primary Source Sets. Primary Source Sets are collections of goodies that focus on a particular theme or topic. I’ve added information below for 25 of my favorite sets but be sure to check out the entire list. You also can search the sets by specific state standards.

For each set, you get a downloadable Teacher’s Guide with historical context, instructional suggestions and links to more online resources.  This is exactly the sort of stuff that the newly approved Kansas state standards are asking us to use with our kids. You also get a ton of primary sources and analysis worksheets. It’s a very cool place to find stuff that can engage our students in content and historical thinking.

My favs in alphabetical order: Continue reading Library of Congress Primary Source Sets →