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One of my eighth grade boys is having great difficulty in science. Even though he understands the concepts, he can't read and interpret the material. What can I do so that he doesn't continue to fail and be frustrated?
by New teacher
Aug 26, 2013
My students will be taking this test this year. Wondering how best to prepare them.
Hi, I am looking for some suggestions for a good novel for a grade 4/5 to start the year off. Thanks.
by Stanley Harris
Sep 3, 2013
Several years ago, I was in a bookstore in Lexington Massachusetts looking for a novel about the Battle of Lexington for my then nine-year-old granddaughter. I was dismayed when the store manager explained that while she had several history books about the battle that were appropriate for children of that age, she was unaware of any novels th...See MoreSeveral years ago, I was in a bookstore in Lexington Massachusetts looking for a novel about the Battle of Lexington for my then nine-year-old granddaughter. I was dismayed when the store manager explained that while she had several history books about the battle that were appropriate for children of that age, she was unaware of any novels that described the battle in any detail.
As a former long-time resident of Lexington, I wanted my grandchildren to learn about the battle in a way that was different from reading the relatively dry accounts of history books. So I decided to write a novel that was historically accurate, using time-travel, presented in a thoughtful and educational way, to help young readers become personally involved with the people and events of Lexington’s most famous day.
When I discussed The First Shot with its proof-readers - young people, their parents, and educators - I was pleased at their enthusiastic response. I also learned that combining a captivating story with historical accuracy is an excellent way of teaching young readers - virtually all of whom are fascinated with time travel - about important historical events and people.
Evacuation Day, my second novel of the series of novels about the American Revolution, describes the people and events of the British Evacuation of Boston in 1776. Evacuation Day is celebrated as a holiday in Boston, but is recognized virtually nowhere else in the United States. It is given relatively minor mention in most history books, an oversight, I believe, because the British evacuation of Boston was George Washington’s first victory – a vital morale-builder for the budding colonial rebellion against the most powerful nation in the world.
In The 4th of July Spies, four young people, one from the present and three from 1776, foil a British plot to prevent the creation of the Declaration of Independence by kidnapping Jefferson, Adams and Franklin. As I wrote The 4th of July Spies, I realized that I always had thought of the “Declaration of Independence” as a single phrase, not as three separate words. But to the colonists, the Declaration of Independence was a declaration of independence – with a small d and a small c – three words. Nowhere in the document are the words “Declaration of Independence”. What to Americans living in the 21st century is a famous and treasured document was to the people who lived in the colonies in 1776 just a document that declared their independence from the rule of the British king.
By traveling back in time, the young reader takes part in and meets the legendary figures associated with three of America’s most historical events. Except where I use a bit of author’s imagination, the books are historically exact and have been vetted for accuracy by organizations such as the Lexington Historical Society, Boston Historical Society and the National Park Service. Thus, the reader learns history, perhaps without realizing it, in a way that complements the more conventional way of learning history by reading history books.
Which always was my goal.
For example:
I was taught that when Paul Revere rode through the countryside on the night before the Battle of Lexington, he cried, “The British are coming!” Wrong. Since the Revolution hadn’t begun, the colonists still considered themselves British. It would have been like yelling, “We are coming!” What he cried was, “The regulars (meaning the British soldiers) are out!”
Inscribed on a boulder resting on Lexington Green, where the Minutemen faced off against the British are the words, “Stand your ground. Don't fire unless fired upon; but if they mean to have a war, let it begin here! This is supposedly what Captain John Parker, the leader of the Minutemen, exclaimed during those tense first moments of the encounter. Except he never said that. A veteran of the French and Indian Wars, Parker knew that his men had no chance against the British, and that many would be killed. Modern historians believe his words were much more like, “Don’t fire upon them. Leave slowly and take your muskets with you.”
As commander of the British troops occupying Boston, General William Howe is vilified in most history books for making life difficult for its citizens and threatening to burn the city down. Rarely mentioned is the fact that Howe had fought with the colonists during the French and Indian wars, greatly admired their courage, and was sympathetic to their cause. So much so, in fact, that after he returned to Britain, he said that he wouldn’t command troops against them. But he was a professional soldier, and when King George ordered him to take command in Boston, he obeyed.
Henry Knox, for whom Fort Knox is named, was a bookseller in Boston during the British occupation. A member of the Boston militia and a fierce patriot, he self-taught himself the art and science of artillery and left Boston to join George Washington’s army in Cambridge. In late 1775, with Washington lamenting a shortage of cannons with which to threaten the British, Knox volunteered to travel to Fort Ticonderoga, recently captured from the British in Vermont, to collect the many cannons at the fort and bring them to Washington. During the next three months of a brutal New England winter, Knox commanded a group of soldiers that dragged 60 tons of artillery nearly 250 miles across the frozen landscape and rivers. The cannons were placed on Dorchester Heights overlooking Boston and were the main reason for the British evacuation of the city.
During the years before the Battle of Lexington, John Hancock was a successful and wealthy businessman, an ardent patriot and one of the most influential men in Massachusetts. While not as famous as George Washington, John Adams or Thomas Jefferson, all of whom became presidents of The United States, Hancock was the President of the 2nd Continental Congress and the first signer of the Declaration of Independence. After the Revolution, he became the first Governor of Massachusetts when it became a state. Schools, buildings, towns and streets all over the country are named after him and the John Hancock Company is one of the largest insurance companies in the country.
Why do we celebrate July 4th as a national holiday? Many people believe that that was the day that the colonies ratified the Declaration of Indepencedence, thus declaring their independence from Britain. Or that was the date that the members of the Continental Congress signed the Declaration of Independence. Both beliefs are wrong. The representatives of the colonies actually voted in favor of the Declaration of Independence on July 2nd. The document underwent minor revisions for two days, resulting in the final version, but it had already been approved. In a letter to his wife, John Adams wrote, “The second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more.” Also, immediately after their votes, most of the representatives left Philadelphia to return to their home. Most historians believe that only two people actually signed the document on July4th - John Hancock, the president of the Continental Congress, and John Thompson, the secretary.
Because of their historical accuracy and the fascination that young readers have with time travel, the books have been used by parents and educators as adjuncts to the teaching of American history.
Please visit [link removed].
How can I help a student who is having difficulties with reading comprehension and fluency? Where can I find good passages online for practicing?
by Carla Trussell
Sep 17, 2013
My daughter started teaching 6th grade yesterday. Already she has a student so disruptive that she CANNOT teach. Saying things such as"We don't have to f--- do what she says." Yesterday she had the officer remove4 him from class. But, he was at it again today. Does she just have him removed everyday?
by Jorge Aleman
Sep 20, 2013
Spread the word pls. I mean well! Feedback if possible pls.
jorgealemanmathminute.com
by Derrick Perdue
Sep 24, 2013
Hello, I am in classroom management at Freed-Hardeman University. I am a senior about to graduate with a degree in Middle School Education. I was just wondering how you would deal with a students who has ODD?
I am looking for suggestions for novels that include a court case. This would be used to supplement our law unit, including the actual trial process. I need material appropriate for students in middle school. Thanks!
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