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

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

Posted on 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
Bellringers: Class Starters to Engage

Bellringers: Class Starters to Engage

Posted on by Michele Luck
What is a bellringer?   If you ask 10 different teachers, you will get 10 different answers.  And then, if you ask 10 administrators or curriculum legislators, you will add even more definitions to the list.  Some see bellringers as a...Read More
Trusting Sources in Your Classroom: Internet Reliability

Trusting Sources in Your Classroom: Internet Reliability

Posted on by Michele Luck
With Columbus Day upon us, we face the reality that what is taught in our classrooms, or at least presented in our textbooks and other resources, is not always the truth, but instead folklore or misrepresentation of actual events.  In...Read More
Grading in the Interactive Social Studies Classroom

Grading in the Interactive Social Studies Classroom

Posted on 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
Whose Line Is It Anyway? Lecture versus Student-Centered Instruction

Whose Line Is It Anyway? Lecture versus Student-Centered Instruction

Posted on by Michele Luck
As a high school student, I HATED my history courses.  I had boring teachers who stood at the front of the class and lectured to us from bell to bell.  And then came Mr. Hurt for my Junior year United...Read More
Make Your Move… In Classroom Seating

Make Your Move… In Classroom Seating

Posted on by Michele Luck
For the first few weeks of school, my students are tortured with sitting in straight rows, all assigned a specific spot for my benefit.  I am not a name person, so learning the names, first and last, of 200+ students...Read More
Teaching Styles and Strategies: Change It Up!

Teaching Styles and Strategies: Change It Up!

Posted on by Michele Luck
Most likely, you have taught your first few days or weeks with a safe and dependable teaching style.  You have used the same methods or strategies that you've practiced in years before, and you are comfortable.  So... it's time to...Read More