Unlike Hallowe’en, Thanksgiving is one of the holidays we are required to study in the classroom. Our state social studies standards mandate the study of Thanksgiving for three years in a row, and the relationship of Native Americans and Pilgrims for five straight years. Since there are some confusions that… Continue reading
Google Earth has obvious connections for social studies: visit the locations you’re studying and find out all kinds of things about their physical geography. Another very popular way to use Google Earth for social studies lesson is to create a “tour” — that is, a series of locations with… Continue reading
Hansel and Gretel is a good, horrible fairy tale for when you want a creepy story. The University of Pittsburgh collection contains the basic Grimm’s version. The story is certainly among the most familiar of fairy tales. A poor woodcutter and his wife, faced with starvation, abandon their two children… Continue reading
We used a poem and picture of a lion for this versatile lesson, but don’t limit yourself. This lesson lets you practice lots of basic computer skills and end up with a cool product. See our elephant example, too! eletelephony-pdf Continue reading
The stock market is an important part of American economic life, and affords lots of teachable moments. It’s a terrific long-term study, which makes it good for the beginning of the school year, and for encouraging responsibility and consistent work habits. It can also be exciting, as you watch “your”… Continue reading
Modern workers are more likely than ever to collaborate with others, and more likely to do so using online technologies. I use collaborative tech to teach my writing classes. A couple of years ago, I was talking with an art teacher about the process. He and I collaborate on… Continue reading
Environmental literacy is a matter of understanding and appreciating the natural world. Many of our students don’t understand the interconnectedness of living things, don’t recognize the effects of their actions on the world we live in, and therefore can’t make responsible decisions about their use of resources. With concerns… Continue reading
“21st Century Skills”: a common buzzword in the classroom, but just what does it mean? The Partnership for 21st Century Skills lists these: Core Subjects and 21st Century Themes English, reading or language arts World languages Arts Mathematics Economics Science Geography History Government and Civics Global awareness Financial, economic,… Continue reading
Math is an essential 21st century skill, but we’ll have to make changes in how we teach it, and maybe even in how we think about it. Continue reading
