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I. Can I use/borrow/steal your assignment ideas and lessons?

II. How is your typical Unit structured?

III. What textbook are your book work assignments keyed to?

 


I. Can I use/borrow/steal your assignment ideas and lessons?

 

     Of course!  When I first became a teacher I searched relentlessly for generic lesson ideas that could be applied to any unit.  I didn't find much and neither did my colleagues.  It was this that motivated my colleagues Mr. Roughton (www.mrroughton.com) and  Mr. Woodside (www.mrwoodside.comto create and compile the "Choose Your Own Adventure" activities, they are the geniuses behind everything I do.  I have borrowed nearly every assignment and idea from someone else.  So please... use it.  That's why it's there.

 

But if you do use anything, can you please do me two favors?

     - First, let me know how it worked out in your class (I'm always trying to improve things).

     - Secondly, if you repost it on your own site, could you please link back to my site? 

 


II. How is your typical Unit structured?

 

1. Unit Survey - The unit preview is a textbook assignment that prepares students for the rest of the Unit and focuses on reading maps/charts and analyzing pictures.

2. Archeological Journal - Notes are the meat and potatoes of my class. This is where I cover all of the state standards. Students take notes 3-5 times per unit and they compose 40-60 days of the school year.

3. Archeological Digs - These assignments include historical simulations, class discussions, flash cards, film notes, etc. They vary from unit to unit but are all designed to bring the unit alive and dig deeper into the material.

4. Culture Shocks - Culture Shocks are experiential exercises designed to immerse students into a living history simulation. 

5. Conservation Reports  Study guides are completed at the end of each unit just before the quiz or test to help students organize their thoughts and reevaluate their mastery of the material.

6. Quizzes (20-35 points) - Quizes are given in a group setting (typically groups of three to five) and students are given the freedom to choose which essay questions they feel the most confident with.  The quiz is designed to be a more authentic assessment of student understanding for the unit most recently covered. Occasionally, I will give the students the standard multiple choice and true or false quiz.

7. Benchmark Tests (@ 50 points) - Every six weeks all teachers in the Social Studies Department give a Standards-based Criterion-Referenced Test (CRT) to assess student mastery of the material as well as teacher adeptness.  

8. Choose Your Own Adventure (30-40 points) - After each unit students receive a list of possible assignments/projects. They get to choose which ones they complete, and they may complete more than I ask for extra credit.


III. What textbook are your labs/assignments keyed to?

 

     Though my PowerPoint notes pull from a variety of sources including TCi's History Alive! The United States Through Industrialism text, my bookwork assignments are keyed to Holt's United States History Independence to 1914Many teachers in my department fought for the district to adopt TCi, but the vetran establishment outvoted my colleagues. 

 


 

Teacher Resource Guide:

 

     Do you ever feel beat down by the broken system that you have dedicated your life too?  I know that I have, and it is a constant battle for me to maintain my passion, zeal, and the wonderfully naive belief that I can change the world.  When I am beaten down and bruised, I have found the following media to be both inspirational and invigorating to me as a teacher.  I hope that you will look into these resources and find them as encouraging as I have.

 

 Link

Type

Description

Waiting For Superman

video 

 Dynamic documentarian Davis Guggenheim (An Inconvenient Truth) weaves together the stories of students, families, educators and reformers to shed light on the failing public school system and its consequences on the future of the United States. Guggenheim deftly examines the options to improve public education and provide America's teachers and students with the help they need.

The Lottery

 video

In this penetrating look at public education in America, filmmaker Madeleine Sackler follows four children through the highs and lows of a life-changing lottery, where the prize is a spot in one of New York City's best charter schools. When presented with a chance to pull their youngsters out of a failing system, some parents dare to be cautiously optimistic, knowing full well there are hundreds of thousands of kids in the pool. 

 

School of Life

video 

Stodgy educator Matt Warner (David Paymer) -- who's determined to carry on his late father's legacy of winning the Teacher of the Year award -- suddenly finds himself competing with charismatic new history teacher Michael D'Angelo (Ryan Reynolds) in this made-for-TV family tale. In an effort to smear the affectionately dubbed "Mr. D," Matt tails him and makes a shocking discovery that leads to an uncomfortable self-assessment and an about face. 

Stand and Deliver

video 

Fans of inspirational dramas about the life-changing power of education will be touched by this moving, mostly true story of famed East L.A. math teacher Jaime Escalante (Edward James Olmos), who finds himself in a classroom of rebellious remedial students. Escalante stuns fellow faculty members with his plans to teach the kids AP calculus. But no one expects the mostly Hispanic teens (including Lou Diamond Phillips) to overcome the odds. 

Freedom Writers

video 

While her at-risk students are reading classics like The Diary of Anne Frank, a young teacher (Hilary Swank) asks them to keep journals about their troubled lives and apply history's lessons to break the cycle of violence and despair that threatens their futures. Scott Glenn, Imelda Staunton and Patrick Dempsey co-star in this moving drama based on real-life California educator Erin Gruwell's unorthodox methods. 

Lean On Me

video 

When tough-talking principal Joe Clark (Morgan Freeman) takes over decaying Eastside High School, he's faced with graffiti-covered walls and students wearing gang colors. But he's determined to do anything in his power to turn the school around. He begins by expelling drug dealers and padlocking the doors to keep the riffraff out. But he also demands maximum effort from the students and staff inside in this uplifting drama based on a true story. 

 

Dead Poets Society

video 

Robin Williams was nominated for an Oscar for his portrayal of unconventional English teacher John Keating, who inspires students through poetry. But when his lessons on living life without compromise lead to an untimely death, the school fires him. His devastated students soon rally behind him, mindful of the ways he has influenced their lives forever. Ethan Hawke and Robert Sean Leonard co-star in this Oscar winner for Best Screenplay.  

 

The Emperor's Club

video 

Based on Ethan Canin's short story The Palace Thief, the Emperor's Club traces the 30-year teacher-student mentor relationship between dedicated prep school teacher William (Kevin Kline) and troubled young Sedgewick (Emile Hirsch) who lives in the shadow of his senator father. When Sedgewick rebels, William sticks with him and helps him achieve great things, but the relationship is later tested.  

The Ron Clark Story

 video

Idealistic young teacher Ron Clark (Matthew Perry) is full of hope as he leaves the familiarity of his hometown for New York City's provocative and volatile inner-city public school system. Clark's fearless devotion and fresh approach to learning is his key to unlocking the chains of ignorance that bind his students. Randa Haines directs this Emmy-nominated biographical drama based on the inspiring true life of the innovative educator. 

 

The Cartel

video 

In his first feature film, director Bob Bowdon takes aim at America's public school system, revealing a self-serving network of wasteful cartels that squander funding and fail to deliver when it comes to academic testing and basic skills. Both parents and teachers want change, but reform is an uphill battle in the face of heel-digging bureaucrats and so-called "dropout factories." It's a bona fide crisis that's burgeoning out of control. 

 

Whatever It Takes

video 

Documentary filmmaker Christopher C.C. Wong journeys into the heart of New York City to chronicle the groundbreaking methods educators at the Bronx Center for Science and Mathematics are using to inspire and teach at-risk youth. As first-year principal Edward Tom lays down the law, students such as freshman Sharifea Baskerville find their first opportunities to reach for a life not circumscribed by the violence and poverty of the streets. 

 

Best of History Websites

website 

Best of History Web Sites, created by EdTechTeacher Inc, is an award-winning portal that contains annotated links to over 1200 history web sites as well as links to hundreds of quality K-12 history lesson plans, history teacher guides, history activities, history games, history quizzes, and more.

 

Princeton University Library

website 

One of the premier universities in our great nation.  If it meets the standards of the Princeton University Library, then I think it's safe to say, "You may find some valuable historical insights here."

Teach Like a Champion

book 

Teach Like a Champion offers effective teaching techniques to help teachers, especially those in their first few years, become champions in the classroom. These powerful techniques are concrete, specific, and are easy to put into action the very next day. Training activities at the end of each chapter help the reader further their understanding through reflection and application of the ideas to their own practice.  

The Excellent 11

 book

Part memoir, part inspirational tract and part handbook for beginning teachers, Clark's treatise on how to get children excited about learning lays out some underlying principles of teaching, covering 11 fundamentals: enthusiasm, adventure, creativity, reflection, balance, compassion, confidence, humor, common sense, appreciation and resilience. Clark, who was named Disney Teacher of the Year in 2001, shares some of his own blunders and many of his successes while learning to teach, many of which may help new teachers trying to figure out the basics. 

The Essential 55

book 

The winner of the 2001 Disney Teacher of the Year Award presents some revolutionary ideas for the classroom: manners, industriousness and accountability. Clark may seem like a bit of a fussbudget, but closer examination shows his rules go beyond simple politeness: they promote respect for self and others, and help foster a mature and responsible way of living in the world. And while the content of his lessons is presented only vaguely, for inspiration, this book is a definite winner; it also makes a strong case that students lack only good teachers to achieve great things. Clark's slim but valuable volume will make a welcome addition to any teacher's library.  

 

Crazy Like a Fox

book 

Under the leadership of highly unorthodox principal Dr. Ben Chavis, Oakland's American Indian Public Charter School was hailed as an "education miracle" by governor Arnold Schwarzenegger after it was transformed from a failing "nuisance" into one of the best public middle schools in the nation. This is the story of that transformation and of a man who dared to be different. With his rigorous, no-nonsense approach, Dr. Chavis debunks the myth that poor, minority, inner-city schools have little chance at academic excellence. Focusing on back-tobasics ideals, he has created a structured educational model that, combined with the enthusiasm of his students and teachers, delivers astounding results.

The First Days of School

 book

Over 3 million copies have been sold of the preeminent book on classroom management and teaching for lesson achievement. The book walks a teacher, either novice or veteran, through the most effective ways to begin a school year and continue to become an effective teacher. This is the most basic book on how to teach. Every teacher and administrator needs to have a copy. The book is used in thousands of school districts, in over 65 countries, and in over 1000 college classrooms. It works and it s inspiring.  

Jesus the Teacher

book

Horne examines how Jesus secured his listeners' attention, made contact with them, and applied Scripture and contemporary concerns to reach his goals. Herman Horne (1874-1946) was Distinguished Professor of Education at New York University, New York City. He was the author of more than twenty books, and he contributed to several encyclopedias.