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Reflecting on APUSH Strategies
NoticeA colleague of mine recently asked me about teaching strategies for APUSH, specifically in regard to having students learn from their textbook and lectures. As I was responding, I thought it...
View ArticleTeacher Blog Recommends
Blogs are really interesting windows into how others create, share and reflect on their lives. I highly recommend using Google Reader, or some other RSS feed to follow the posts of some great...
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How Twitter Helps Me Grow
Yes, I love Twitter. In 2006, I thought it would be cool to sign up for an account and share with the world my actions and thoughts… One post. Yes, that’s all I entered. I don’t really think I...
View ArticleThe Poetry Foundation
One of the best apps I have had the pleasure of enjoying this summer is from the Poetry Foundation. Their poetry app allows you to search and browse select poems from around the world and through the...
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First Meeting
August 28th was the first professional development day for Sandwich Public Schools for the 2012-2013 school year. As a new teacher in the district, I quickly saw a tone set by the administration. After...
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The 2012 Election in Your Classroom
The election is coming! The election is coming! 2012 is ‘one of those years’ in the classroom and it is a great opportunity for History and Social Studies teachers to focus on the choices that...
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The Convention Wordles
Being a history teacher, I just can’t stay away from the conventions. I love the drama, or even the lack thereof, on the convention floors. Most nights I would sit up and watch. Some nights I had...
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Sunday Morning Scan
Browsing Twitter on Sunday mornings is a pleasure. Although the week’s Tweets are always useful, I enjoy taking the time to scan, check out websites, collect primary sources, catalogue different...
View ArticleBridging Wor(l)ds
When I was a teenager, I would write prolifically on my computer. Sometimes I would try to model my favorite poetry depending on whether I was reading Emerson or Blake. Often, I would write very short...
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December 7th 1951
This is a previous blog post I originally published on September 11, 2011. In light of the Pearl Harbor anniversary, I thought I would republish it today. While I am sitting here typing and reflecting...
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Crossroads of Freedom & Equality
Important!Note: It’s been months since my last blog post, and although I am in a new position in a new school, I am happy to return writing for many, many reasons. Because of the winter storm’s damage...
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Brainstorming Geography
In preparing a framework for a 7th grade Geography curriculum in a STEM Academy, I’ve found bits and pieces from different districts that touch on key concepts and content. Out goal is to combine...
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Support/Oppose
For years now, I have been using Support/Oppose statements in my APUSH, US History and Multicultural Studies courses to encourage debate and deepen discussion. I’ve also written about past lessons...
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Umm… A Year in Review
My first year in a new school! Let’s see if I can remember all of the mistakes made, lessons learned, tasks attacked, projects fled, flags planted, and strategic retreats. Above all, let’s see if I...
View ArticleSetting the Agenda
Since I’ve been a department chair, I’ve wondered about, struggled with, and often admired the well-run meeting. Each month at my school, history/social studies teachers gather for our department...
View ArticleCompanions
Ayla is a Bergamasco sheepdog and our companion. She’s almost 7 years old and a beautiful being. Jess and I have had many companions over the years, and as I was reading some morning posts, I caught...
View ArticleThinking Historically
Teaching history is very different from learning it. …or so I thought. When I think back to some of my favorite history teachers, or when I read a book about Cold War nuclear weapon policy, for...
View ArticleFrom Pandora to Spotify
Got lots of ‘thumbs up’ songs on Pandora that you just wish were on Spotify? The Google extension called Pandora to Spotify Playlist Converter is your friend. Got to say that its great. I’ve been a...
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