http://sourcesofhistory.com/blog Resources for the Modern Social Studies Classroom Tue, 11 May 2010 00:02:30 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en I recently used Melba Patillo Beals’ Warriors Don’t Cry in my United States History class. It is a fascinating memoir of her experience as one of the Little Rock Nine. As I was reading the text with students, I kept finding myself thinking, “Why don’t I use more good ... http://sourcesofhistory.com/blog/?p=72 I love these days when you set up a discussion topic and it just works – the students are engaged in the topic, using previous knowledge and discussing and debating big ideas with their peers. The lesson that I did today with my U.S. history class was on Federalist #10.  I ... http://sourcesofhistory.com/blog/?p=67 Whew!  Where has this first month of school gone? There was an interesting article in Friday's New York Times on executive function at the preschool level.  Even as a high school teacher, I found it to be an interesting read.  Check it out: Can the Right Kinds of Play Teach Self-Control? I ... http://sourcesofhistory.com/blog/?p=64 I played around a bit with Wordle today and made one for the blog. http://sourcesofhistory.com/blog/?p=60 I’ve been thinking a lot these past days about the beginning of the school year: what to do the first day, how to get to know my students, how to introduce the classroom expectations, how to introduce the classroom material, etc.  These first days are crucial as they set the ... http://sourcesofhistory.com/blog/?p=54 On now to books that I’ve read. I’m terrible at sticking to reading lists!  I often pick up whatever I like along the way.  However, I did read two of the texts from my original list that are worth sharing. Kyle Ward’s History in the Making is a collection of excerpts from ... http://sourcesofhistory.com/blog/?p=52 Whew.  Summer vacation??  I haven’t had a break in weeks.  Finally, I can share ideas about a book I learned of and am excited to see if I can integrate into the classroom. Last month on the NPR program Here and Now there was an interesting interview with BU professor Andrew ... http://sourcesofhistory.com/blog/?p=47 I just finished Stirring the Head, Heart, and Soul: Redefining Curriculum, Instruction and Concept-Based Learning (2008) by H. Lynn Erickson.  I loved this book and highly recommend it to anyone who is interested in concept-based instruction. Erickson’s main idea is that we as educators need to engage students in deep thought ... http://sourcesofhistory.com/blog/?p=40 After a day at work, I often find it hard to come home and pick up some heavy reading.  Therefore, during the school year I often gravitate towards less academic books.  However, the summer is the perfect opportunity to pick up some of those books that I’ve been wanting to ... http://sourcesofhistory.com/blog/?p=36 If you teach ancient civilizations, one of the subjects that is often lacking in many resources is the Indus River Valley.  There is so much that we don’t know about this society and I’m always on the lookout for resources to use in a class.  This recent article from Wired ... http://sourcesofhistory.com/blog/?p=30