Category: My Philosophy
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The Grading Policy That Saved My Life
It’s no secret that teachers have no time. There are only so many hours in the day yet the to-do list for teachers is endless, especially if you are at a school that requires you to fully clean out your classroom each year. There are ways to simplify your life but not every method will […]
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Dear Returning Teachers: A Pep Talk
Since March 2020, you’ve had a rough time. Learning how to teach with little to no resources, conquering technology issues, and trying to maintain your own household has taken a toll. Hopefully, this past summer you took some much needed time off because this school year will present you will even more challenges. New challenges. […]
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Back to the Classroom: Review those History Skills
Most schools are returning to in-person teaching this fall. Students however, have been out of the classroom for a long time and will definitely need refreshers on the history skills. I know you’ve got a lot to do. I know that history teachers have one of the toughest jobs because they have SO MUCH content […]
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Minimalistic Classrooms
Given the lingering infection rates of covid-19, this year is the perfect year to go minimalistic. When I was in the classroom, I didn’t bring much into my classroom, preferring to embrace blank wall space and directing student attention where I wanted it. Why have a minimal classroom? Cleanliness Less in your classroom means there […]
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Taking a Summer Break
My blog will be on a summer break. See you in August. If you are a teacher, TAKE OFF THE SUMMER! Be sure to make PLENTY of time for yourself and your family. You deserve it. Enjoy. ***************************** Follow me: If you liked this then maybe you’d also like:
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Historical Thinking Skills: Primary and Secondary Sources
Seemingly this is an easy lesson – most people can give you examples of primary and secondary sources after all. However, when you actually have to conduct historical research or analyze historical documents which document is primary and secondary can get confusing. Students tend to think if it is old then it is a primary […]
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Build Your Students Writing Stamina
Learn about how I integrated free-write, typically an English class exercise, into my world history classes.
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Homeschool Burnout: It’s Not Just You
Homeschooling during coronavirus is really tough and we’re all failing. It’s not just you.
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History Needs More Women: Ways to Encourage Girls to Study History
We need to teach more about women in order to get more women to become historians.
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Historical Fashion on YouTube
Students need to practice history skills so why not make it fun and watch some YouTube.
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Historical Thinking Skills: Chronological Thinking
The exploration of historical thinking skills continues with chronological thinking
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The Sentiment That Ruined Public Education
There is a phrase commonly used that has over the past few decades ruined public education
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Defamed by History: The Isabella and Cersei Connection
Defamed by History: The Isabella and Cersei Connection
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Women in History: Changing Our Perspectives
Women in history have always had the wrong narrative. It is time to change it.
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Six Best Plants for the Classroom
Purify your classroom air with houseplants. Check out six great options.
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Debate Topics for High School Social Studies
Do not focus entirely on national issues – discuss local!
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Homework is Busy Work. Stop the Busy Work.
Ban homework. Still reading? Ban homework. Do an honest assessment? Are your homework assignments leftover classroom work? Are your homework assignments worksheets or textbook questions? Are your homework assignments designed to give them more grades? Are your homework assignments designed to justify yourself to administration? Are your homework assignments designed for parental involvement? If you […]
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My TpT Journey: Why I Got Started
Staying at home, raising kids, has always been my dream. If we are being honest, I don’t like working. I don’t like working because I have never had an employer that I thought had any loyalty to me. The relationship has always been one sided. I have to show up on time, work eight hours, […]
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Filing Taxes Should Never Be Taught In School
“Why don’t schools teach kids useful stuff. Like how to file taxes.” They do. It’s called reading and math. Rather than complain about what your teachers did not teach you, try remembering what they did teach you. Because if you are reading this, you owe them a lot. Still, a lot of people are frustrated […]
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Teaching Movies Portray Teachers Poorly
No teacher is without their go-to, feel-good teaching movie. They are the movies we watch to motivate us or to remind us why we teach. I personally love To Sir With Love, Mr. Holland’s Opus, and The Paper Chase. (The Paper Chase is about a man’s first year in law school but I love the […]
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Time as a Commodity
For many teachers around the country, today is the first student day of school. A new school year, a new opportunity for teachers to shine. The school district that we live in begins on Thursday while today is the teachers first day back. Most schools in Pennsylvania only have three days to prepare for a […]
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Music in the Classroom: Working Around the Myth
Listening to classical music, specifically Mozart, does NOT make you smarter. I’m not sure where the myth came from but I had always heard of other benefits of listening to classical music many of which are beneficial for students. Lower blood pressure. All the problems associated with high pressure are devastating so why not aim […]
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Inflating Grades
How many grades do you need? Does the amount of points make a difference? The easiest, simplest answer to the first question is, “Whatever your administration says.” I was told students need ample opportunities to earn good grades and this message is probably repeated in most American schools. Although, I have to admit, that I […]
Integrated Social Studies 