Recognizing Holidays in the Upper Grades Classroom

Recognizing Holidays in the Upper Grades Classroom

Posted on by Michele Luck
As the Holiday Season approaches, and with Veteran's Day on the doorstep, we are often pressured to take time out in our upper grades classrooms to teach to the event.  While this works well with some historic events, as we...Read More
It’s A Wrap! Beating the Clock to Wrap-Up Lessons

It’s A Wrap! Beating the Clock to Wrap-Up Lessons

Posted on by Michele Luck
You start off the lesson with a great attention grabber, your interactive lecture had students engaged and excited, your mini-activity successfully reinforced the key ideas of the lesson, and then...Five minutes left until the bell.  In many classes, teachers give...Read More
United Nations Day: Studying Historic Events with Documents and Images

United Nations Day: Studying Historic Events with Documents and Images

Posted on by Michele Luck
On October 24th, 1945, the required number of nations ratified the United Nations Charter, including the United States of America, making the UN the international organization for peace.  The charter was encouraged by American President Franklin D. Roosevelt, as he...Read More
Seeing the Big Picture: Helping Students Visualize Multiple Perspectives

Seeing the Big Picture: Helping Students Visualize Multiple Perspectives

Posted on by Michele Luck
Teaching from a textbook or singular source can often leave the impression on our students that history is one-sided. After years of this indoctrination to history, our students are blind to the truth about history.  It becomes a battle at...Read More
Building a Positive School Climate: What’s Your Role?

Building a Positive School Climate: What’s Your Role?

Posted on by Michele Luck
Stepping into the teacher's lounge or workroom can be a risky adventure for some teachers.  It is not always the welcoming atmosphere most picture when they think of working in a school setting, and it can sometimes exude a climate...Read More
Analyzing Legislation: A Political or Social Approach?

Analyzing Legislation: A Political or Social Approach?

Posted on by Michele Luck
In my first few years of teaching, I taught with a U.S. History teacher who believed every law was passed simply because Congress saw it as what should be.  He gave no credit to the social movements that encouraged the...Read More
Collaboration in Your Building: Is It Worth It?

Collaboration in Your Building: Is It Worth It?

Posted on by Michele Luck
 Friends or Acquaintances Helping your own, while avoiding the trouble In my college graduate program, I spent a full year in a high school with a high number of teachers eligible for retirement.  Many of these educators had been teaching...Read More
Happy Birthday Hubby! A Lesson On the Value of Teacher Collaboration

Happy Birthday Hubby! A Lesson On the Value of Teacher Collaboration

Posted on by Michele Luck
In honor of my hubby's 45th Birthday, I am writing this post on Teacher Collaboration! A few years ago, I was sitting at home talking in an AOL chat group for teachers.  We were discussing the state testing and sharing...Read More
Building up Expectations… A Requirement in Every Classroom

Building up Expectations… A Requirement in Every Classroom

Posted on by Michele Luck
Almost a decade ago, I sat on a desk in my classroom talking to my student teacher on her last day.  She was sharing her fears about stepping into her own classroom, and I was trying my best to offer...Read More
Performing in the Classroom: Effective Role-Play for Learning

Performing in the Classroom: Effective Role-Play for Learning

Posted on by Michele Luck
"Nobody puts Baby in a corner!" "If you build it, they will come." "Show me the money!" "Life is like a box of chocolates..." "You can't handle the truth!" "I see dead people!" "Just keep swimming!" As we all grew...Read More