Future of History / Teaching strategies
by Sarah Cooper · Published 04/19/2015 · Last modified 01/12/2023
What do middle school students gain and lose in a thematic history curriculum? Sarah Cooper relays her experiences with both theme and chronology approaches, finding strengths in each, as national standards shift from facts and dates to skills and big questions.
If you need content-rich short nonfiction texts to support social studies lessons, this spiral bound book is for you. “The American Revolution and Constitution” also provides online access to a ‘trove’ of lesson-ready images and resources, says reviewer Linda Biondi.
In “Loving Learning” Tom Little showed a keen awareness of trends in best practices, connecting progressive pedagogy to 21st century evidence-based teaching, says reviewer Eric Moore. How Little’s concepts take hold in public schools is not demonstrated.
Opening with Darrell Scott’s message after his daughter Rachel’s death at Columbine High, Awaken the Learner offers Robert Marzano’s strategies to expand student learning by helping them understand how they think and make choices, says Laura Von Staden.
As science teachers pursue Next Generation Science Standards, many wonder how STEM and NGSS match up. Can a good NGSS-aligned science lesson be a good STEM lesson too? Anne Jolly and guest Marsha Ratzel offer insights via the Matchstick Rocket Challenge.
Each chapter of Cultural Literacy for the Common Core includes ELA connections, practical advice, research support, and classroom examples. Teachers can modify the ideas for students across grades and content areas, says reviewer Ashley Walther.
Future of History / History Resources
by Jody & Shara · Published 04/05/2015 · Last modified 11/23/2019
The new series Engaging With History in the Classroom can build historical thinking & help meet standards, say Jody & Shara. Lessons, primary sources & discussion groups bring the American Revolution, Civil War, Post Reconstruction & Civil Rights Era to life.
The tagline for “Reading with Pictures” says it all (with maybe a bit of genre hyperbole): “Comics that make kids smarter!” Teacher Kevin Hodgson recommends the cross curricular graphic story collection curated by Josh Elder and its free 146-pp study guide.
Dialogue circles can facilitate brain function and help “increase generosity, trust, intrinsic motivation, social connection, and cooperation so students can work together for a common purpose,” writes inner-city middle school principal David Palank.
Future of History / Teaching strategies
by Jody & Shara · Published 03/22/2015 · Last modified 12/12/2019
Should middle grades history classrooms emphasize project learning or teacher lecture? Written or activity-based assessment? Student inquiry or teacher designed units? Teacher Jody Passanisi considers the pros and cons and wonders about the right blend.
