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October 2011

The Salem Witch Trials: A Google Search Story

Submitted by Peggy on Fri, 2011-10-28 10:28


Creating activities and units that effectively place students “in the shoes” of key characters in the past is what sets the best history teachers apart from the good history teachers.  Most people can describe events from the past to their students.  Many of them can even explain these events in a way that is meaningful and memorable.  Some teachers take it to the next level by introducing primary sources to their students, allowing them to see artifacts of the actual events so they can form a connection to the material they are learning.  The best teachers strive to create a bond between their students and the characters they are studying.

Joann's companion column: 
The Devil’s in the Details: The Salem Witch Trials

Spooky October Lessons

Submitted by Peggy on Fri, 2011-10-21 16:46

Ghosts, witches, and goblins, oh my!  It’s October, and as the leaves begin falling and scary decorations start to pop up around town, many students are buzzing about what they are going to be for Halloween. Although many schools have banned wearing costumes to school and have “harvest celebrations” instead of Halloween parties or carnivals, the scary side of Halloween can be very intriguing to students.  Some enterprising teachers have found ways to bring the spirit of the season into their classrooms in creative and engaging ways.  If you want to do more with the Halloween theme this year than jack’o lantern and ghost crafts, try one of these ideas on the Gateway to bring “spooky” literature and ghost stories to life.
Joann's companion column: 
Boo! Gothic Fiction & Ghost Stories

Mobile Learning: Teaching for Tomorrow

Submitted by Peggy on Fri, 2011-10-14 14:31

“If we teach today as we taught yesterday, we rob our children of tomorrow.”
John Dewey

I have written about this quote before, and I love how it reminds me that teaching is a dynamic career.  Teaching is not something you “get good at” so you can coast through the years.  Excellent teachers are always learning and constantly adapting the tools and techniques they use with their students.  As the world changes and technology evolves, these teachers embrace these changes and bring new tools and techniques into the classroom.