My school district recently purchased a class set of the March Trilogy, the graphic novel memoir that recounts the experiences of Congressman John Lewis (5th District, Georgia) in America’s struggle for civil rights including the marches from Selma to Montgomery. The comic book-style illustrations are engaging and some may mistake the memoir as something for children. Lewis’s experiences in the […]
social studies
Posted inFeatured
The Traveling Teacher: China, Part II – Xi’an and Shanghai
In the part 1 of this 2-part series, I shared what it was like to visit Beijing. Before I attempt to write my way through the ancient capital of Xi’an and the ultra-modern Shanghai, you may want to give the previous article a bit of your time. Day 5: Xi’an City Walls and Massage Biking […]
Posted inHigh School
Project Archaeology Leadership Academy
Summer is not only a time for reading and gardening. It’s a time for professional development. This week, I have been attending a program called Project Archaeology Leadership Academy (PALA). Project Archaeology is a national educational organization that is run in partnership with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and Montana State University. Educators, museum […]
Posted inInstructional Strategies
Why Teachers Should Add Debate to Their Curriculum
At the end of the school year this year, I looked at the list of causes of the Civil War. I’ve taught this once or twice, usually with just enough time to explain them. However, this year I finally got my curriculum in check and had time to ensure these topics were taught right. So […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum
Teaching the Environment in the Social Studies and Humanities (and Everywhere Else)
When we get close to the end of the year I like to leave my students with a bit of reflection for the future. In a matter-of-fact and “non-preachy” way, I tell them that the most crucial issue that their generation will inherit is the environment. In fact, despite what students hear from many political […]
Posted inSocial Studies
6 Tips on Teaching Social Studies in a Politically-Charged Era
I’ve been challenged by parents plenty of times in my career. However, one that often protrudes in my mind is a 12-page email I received 7 years ago. In teaching about the post-Civil War Reconstruction, I shared both the late Abraham Lincoln and Radical Republican plans for what the South would look like as the […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum
Teachers, National History Day Needs Your Help
This past week, the National History Day program announced that it lost one of its biggest benefactors. Though National History Day (NHD) doesn’t announce the benefactor’s name, it does reveal how much it’s going to hurt the program — a total net loss of $800,000, annually. If you don’t know what the National History Day […]
Posted inSocial Studies
Why This Social Studies Teacher Attends All Inaugurations
“I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States… So help me God.” The first time these words were spoken was during George Washington’s First Inaugural whereby […]