social studies Archives - Page 3 of 7 - A Lesson Plan for Teachers

Monday Mapping: Planning the Previews

Posted on January 26, 2015July 25, 2020 by Michele Luck

The older I get, the less I am interested in reading things I do not consider relevant to my life. I LOVE reading, but I do not like wasting my time, and much of what is produced these days is...Read More

Quick Thought Thursday: A Hot Tub Conversation on American Education

Posted on January 22, 2015July 25, 2020 by Michele Luck

When you are living life on the road in a motorhome, the one thing you do not have is a bath tub, and the shower just doesn't do the trick for sore muscles after spending the day out on my...Read More

Monday Mapping: Making Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Significant

Posted on January 19, 2015July 25, 2020 by Michele Luck

Celebrating holidays with students can be a tricky task. When the holiday is dedicated to someone who led a movement, and died as a result of his activism, what tone should be set for the day? More importantly, MLK's role...Read More

The Truth about the Internet!

Posted on November 14, 2014July 25, 2020 by Michele Luck

This past week I have seen so many "resources" on the Internet that clearly misrepresented the stories they were trying to tell. While there can still be value in those resources, it is so important that students understand the truth...Read More

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

Posted on October 27, 2014July 25, 2020 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

Posted on October 23, 2014July 25, 2020 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

Performing in the Classroom: Effective Role-Play for Learning

Posted on September 25, 2014July 25, 2020 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

Groups in the Interactive Classroom: How to Assign the Groups!

Posted on September 22, 2014July 25, 2020 by Michele Luck

As we try to make our classrooms more and more interactive, the great challenge can often be creating groups that can work well together. While it is important to have mixed-ability groups, it is also important to keep them guessing...Read More

I’m Off To Make the Donuts: Your Boring Curriculum Problems Solved

Posted on September 12, 2014July 25, 2020 by Michele Luck

Every Social Studies certified teacher could be assigned a number of different courses in the Social Studies Department. My first year of teaching was just that nightmare, with 6 different preps within 3 different courses. I taught both honors and...Read More

Grading in the Interactive Social Studies Classroom

Posted on September 4, 2014September 6, 2023 by Michele Luck

The idea of having an interactive classroom fills teachers' minds with many different thoughts and visions: Thirty to forty young minds all engaged and active in critical thinking. Students discussing content and enjoying the learning process. Thoughtful debate and content-based...Read More