Starting last year, I have been working with some Social Science teachers in the area to explore and develop concept based units in my classes. We started with a pilot unit to see how things will go. We have all just started teaching this unit in our classrooms over the past week. Let's stop here and talk about what a conceptual unit looks like. Instead of just plowing through the decades chronologically like a standard history class, we look at different concepts that have to do with a main idea. For our westward expansion unit, the big idea is, "Opportunity is a catalyst for change." With that as our backdrop, we then focus on topics like the great migration of settlers to the plains, the subsequent effect on Native Americans and the culture clash that ensued. We have based our unit on 3 main questions:
1. What causes people to move geographically?
2. How do differences in culture lead to division?
3. Does prosperity for one group mean exploitation for another?
The questions are supposed to be broad and hard to answer on purpose. With those questions as our guide, we are working to understand this period in history.
My initial feelings on the unit are good. I like how it's going for the most part. So far, I feel as though it is really teacher directed. That's the only part I'm not crazy about. I like to see my students take a more hands-on approach. My fellow teachers and I have had discussions about how hard it is to make social studies totally hands-on. Unfortunately there are time when we have to front load a learning task with a keynote presentation and lecture. I personally think that is somewhat true, but I don't think I have explored every single way of teaching social studies. There has to be a way to make any subject hands on for students. This is part of my learning and growing as an educator and I'm still in process. On the whole, student engagement is up in my classroom and kids are responding well to the unit. I'm excited to keep going and get their feedback after the whole process is complete.
Monday, October 24, 2011
Friday, September 16, 2011
Constitution Day
In honor of Constitution Day, the students will be exploring the Constitution Day website located here.
http://constitutioncenter.org/Sieze_the_Vote/
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
August 2011-Top of the 1st Inning
It's August and we are back in school here at Newell-Fonda. I am excited to be working with the kids again. It was a busy summer of baseball and college classes and I'm really looking forward to being in the classroom again. As a second year teacher, some things are easier this year. I'm not learning a new building, a lot of the students know who I am, and I've got many of the school day routines down.
However, it's never been more apparent to me that I have a long way to go as a teacher. Everyday is a new challenge and I continue to work on my craft as an educator. This year, one of my goals is more effective integration of technology in my classroom. It's one thing to load a YouTube clip and show it in class. It's another to embed a video clip into a lesson and have it contribute and flow seamlessly with what we are studying. I'm also looking for new ways to have students utilize technology and become academically savvy with tech instead of only using it for social networking purposes.
As this year progresses, I know I'll be able to see myself making strides in these areas. The goal is to see student engagement and achievement rise alongside my skills.
However, it's never been more apparent to me that I have a long way to go as a teacher. Everyday is a new challenge and I continue to work on my craft as an educator. This year, one of my goals is more effective integration of technology in my classroom. It's one thing to load a YouTube clip and show it in class. It's another to embed a video clip into a lesson and have it contribute and flow seamlessly with what we are studying. I'm also looking for new ways to have students utilize technology and become academically savvy with tech instead of only using it for social networking purposes.
As this year progresses, I know I'll be able to see myself making strides in these areas. The goal is to see student engagement and achievement rise alongside my skills.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
The end of the 3rd Quarter
The third quarter is quickly coming to an end. Wednesday March 9th, 2011 is the last day of the quarter. Students should be checking their grades and making sure all of their work is finished up and turned in.
Friday, February 18, 2011
Springing Ahead
The calendar is quickly turning pages and spring is creeping in on winter. There are many great things happening in Newell-Fonda Social Studies.
In World Geography, students are studying the continent of Africa and learning about the different environmental challenges that the continent is dealing with. We will be hearing from people who have visited Africa as well as from someone who is currently there in Morocco. The students always enjoy getting to interact with people who have lived what they are learning about. The students have also been using cool applications like www.prezi.com and iMovie to make projects about the places they are studying.
In U.S. History class, students have been creating movies and podcasts about World War I. The movie project was based off of the start of World War I. I saw a lot of creativity and the students technology skills have shown great improvement since the beginning of the year. Their podcast project is to create a World War I radio show. Students have been researching events, creating commercials, and practicing their radio voices in order to make a creative and informative project for the class to listen to.
In Contemporary Issues class, the students have just finished their 3rd episode of "The Mustang Report." Each episode is packed with world news stories, national news headlines, and the latest happenings from the Newell-Fonda community. There is also a sports report and the Mustang Moment of the Week that always brings a laugh.
In World History class, students have been studying the Renaissance and Reformation. They have really gotten into the material and have realized what a period of transition this was for the world. We have taken a Renaissance art tour in our classroom, watched a real printing press being used via YouTube, and tested out our own art skills that Renaissance painters had developed. Currently, the students are finishing up research projects on some of the most influential people from that time period.
It's a great time in Newell-Fonda Social Studies and much of it has to do with the hard work and creativity that the students are putting forth.
In World Geography, students are studying the continent of Africa and learning about the different environmental challenges that the continent is dealing with. We will be hearing from people who have visited Africa as well as from someone who is currently there in Morocco. The students always enjoy getting to interact with people who have lived what they are learning about. The students have also been using cool applications like www.prezi.com and iMovie to make projects about the places they are studying.
In U.S. History class, students have been creating movies and podcasts about World War I. The movie project was based off of the start of World War I. I saw a lot of creativity and the students technology skills have shown great improvement since the beginning of the year. Their podcast project is to create a World War I radio show. Students have been researching events, creating commercials, and practicing their radio voices in order to make a creative and informative project for the class to listen to.
In Contemporary Issues class, the students have just finished their 3rd episode of "The Mustang Report." Each episode is packed with world news stories, national news headlines, and the latest happenings from the Newell-Fonda community. There is also a sports report and the Mustang Moment of the Week that always brings a laugh.
In World History class, students have been studying the Renaissance and Reformation. They have really gotten into the material and have realized what a period of transition this was for the world. We have taken a Renaissance art tour in our classroom, watched a real printing press being used via YouTube, and tested out our own art skills that Renaissance painters had developed. Currently, the students are finishing up research projects on some of the most influential people from that time period.
It's a great time in Newell-Fonda Social Studies and much of it has to do with the hard work and creativity that the students are putting forth.
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Back to the Classroom
Now that winter break is over, the students are back in the classroom and ready to learn. After a break for reading and reflecting, I also am eager to get back to teaching and helping the students succeed.
In World Geography, we are turning our attention to the continent of Europe and the many people groups that live there. We will be talking with some people who have spent time in European countries and will gain from their perspective.
In United States history we are heading into the late 1800's and birth of big business and the development of new technologies. We've got some simulation games lined up for the students to get time experiencing the material.
In World History we will be studying the growth of the church in Europe during the Middle Ages and the culture change and conflict that sparked.
Stay tuned for more news on what's happening in Newell-Fonda High School Social Studies!
In World Geography, we are turning our attention to the continent of Europe and the many people groups that live there. We will be talking with some people who have spent time in European countries and will gain from their perspective.
In United States history we are heading into the late 1800's and birth of big business and the development of new technologies. We've got some simulation games lined up for the students to get time experiencing the material.
In World History we will be studying the growth of the church in Europe during the Middle Ages and the culture change and conflict that sparked.
Stay tuned for more news on what's happening in Newell-Fonda High School Social Studies!
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
The End of the Semester
The end of 2010 is upon us. Students have spent this week wrapping up semester tests and projects. I enjoy seeing a student's sense of accomplishment when they hand in a finished semester test or wrap up a semester project presentation. There have been some really cool educational happenings in Newell-Fonda Social Studies over the last couple of weeks.
In World Geography, students studied the people, places, ideas, and issues of Latin America. Each student prepared a project on a specific Latin American country. They were allowed to do the project any way they wanted to. Some chose videos and other chose to make Keynote presentations. We got a glimpse of each country as the students took turns presenting.
In United States history, the students have been studying the American Civil War and the reconstruction period following it. On one of our days, we took a Civil War battle tour. Using Google Earth and green screen technology, I created a 10 minute video where students were able to virtually visit real Civil War battle sites and see real pictures as they learned the information about each site. Students completed a tour guide as they watched the video. They were also able to download to their Macbooks and watch it with headphones at their own pace.
In World History, we have been studying the spread of the Muslim Empire in the ancient world. Islam contributed to many advancements in math, science, astronomy, medicine, and literature. In the Ancient Arabic world, a ruler created a House of Wisdom where scholars could study their chosen subject. Students got to participate in their own House of Wisdom day and compete against other groups in the class in various subjects to see who was the wisest of all.
As the calendar rolls over to 2011, I am excited to study new topics and help students experience new levels of understanding in Social Studies. Have a great winter break!
In World Geography, students studied the people, places, ideas, and issues of Latin America. Each student prepared a project on a specific Latin American country. They were allowed to do the project any way they wanted to. Some chose videos and other chose to make Keynote presentations. We got a glimpse of each country as the students took turns presenting.
In United States history, the students have been studying the American Civil War and the reconstruction period following it. On one of our days, we took a Civil War battle tour. Using Google Earth and green screen technology, I created a 10 minute video where students were able to virtually visit real Civil War battle sites and see real pictures as they learned the information about each site. Students completed a tour guide as they watched the video. They were also able to download to their Macbooks and watch it with headphones at their own pace.
In World History, we have been studying the spread of the Muslim Empire in the ancient world. Islam contributed to many advancements in math, science, astronomy, medicine, and literature. In the Ancient Arabic world, a ruler created a House of Wisdom where scholars could study their chosen subject. Students got to participate in their own House of Wisdom day and compete against other groups in the class in various subjects to see who was the wisest of all.
As the calendar rolls over to 2011, I am excited to study new topics and help students experience new levels of understanding in Social Studies. Have a great winter break!
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