Just before the December recess a senior stopped me in the hall enthusiastic over his acceptance into college. He impressed upon me sincere gratitude for the letter of recommendation I had written. We exchanged compliments and I was given to reflection on two years we shared in history studies. In the recommendation I had highlighted his impassioned argument and […]
Whitney Kaulbach
I teach High school and middle school students World History, AP World History, Reading Instruction, and Literacy Specialist.
Posted inFeatured, Instructional Strategies, Middle School, Social Studies, Technology
STEAM Ahead- Social Studies Lesson- Part 2
It is two days before the winter holiday break as I wind down with students and their LED light projects. I entered this study with no experience in circuit design or understanding of how lights operate, I given up the security of time tested lessons for STEAM (Science, Technology Engineering, Art, Math). There was no need for […]
Posted inInstructional Strategies, Social Studies, Technology, Uncategorized
STEAM Inspired Spin on Social Studies
Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math – the STEM subjects joined forces with Art (Design) to become STEAM, the acronym which stands for education that deliberately promotes 21st-century transformations in thinking. Social studies skills are not included as a focus and I like to think it’s because it is at the root of the original STEM.  As […]
Posted inEducational Apps, Featured, Instructional Strategies
1:1 Classroom — Head Over Heels with Google Forms
I recently fell in love with a tech tool in a manner similar to the way in which I fall in love with classic titles on a bookshelf. These are titles I have read but for some reason or another the significance was lost until bam! Lightning strikes and I cannot put that book down.  This is […]
Posted inClassroom Management, Instructional Strategies, Middle School, Social Studies, Technology, Uncategorized
21st Century Classroom Management is… Fun?
Recently a veteran colleague and a teacher in training posed questions concerning classroom management and power struggles with students. Years ago the approach to dealing with students who test the boundaries of rules was quick and strict reprimand. Â Students were graded on neatness, orderly and timely manners, for being quiet unless called upon. While there […]
Posted inEnglish Language Learners, Instruction & Curriculum, Literacy, Technology
Wait for it… Esther Earle's Star
I saw the book cover on the nonfiction shelf at the library and was immediately hooked. This Star Won’t Go Out promised to fulfill the real world answers to questions swirling amongst YA followers of Fault in our Stars. The wonder and hopes that fans carry for the character heroes with terminal cancer will appreciate […]
Posted inEducational Apps, Featured, Fine Arts, Social Studies, Technology
Latest and Greatest Apps: Green Screen & Open Gallery
Year 2 of 1:1 iPad classroom is in full swing. Students have their Apple I.D.s, their workhorse apps and access to the Haiku Learning Management Platform for online class resources. It has been a slow to transition back into work flow even though they are excited to game or text chat any moment a teacher leaves them with […]
Posted inEducational Apps, Social Studies, Technology, Uncategorized
Paper in a Paperless classroom
You may know me as a proponent of 1:1 digital technology in the classroom. But I begin my year with two traditional forms of learning: face to face communication and lots and lots of paper. Earlier in the summer I retweeted this comment found through an #edchat: “I teach critical thinking not apps.” This is true in […]