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
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
In Honor of Our Founding Fathers: Addressing Protests and Creating Resolutions

In Honor of Our Founding Fathers: Addressing Protests and Creating Resolutions

Posted on by Michele Luck
On September 17th, 1787, the Founding Fathers approved the proposed Constitution of the United States.  They worked diligently to address the wrongs protested by the American colonists that had started the Revolution, and they created a document that could continue...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
I’m Off To Make the Donuts: Your Boring Curriculum Problems Solved

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

Posted on 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
September 11th: A Day We Should Never Forget

September 11th: A Day We Should Never Forget

Posted on by Michele Luck
In the years right after 9/11, many of us struggled with how to teach the event in our Social Studies classes or scheduled school-wide memorial events.  It was still too fresh in many of our minds, and we had students...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