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Social Studies Teachers Chatboard

by Jami

Apr 26, 2012

What method of note taking does everyone use in their classroom? Cornell? Outline? Or do have students take notes at all? All teachers in our school use different niterating methods and the high school our middle school feeds into does not care. I teach 8th graders. What have you found works best for you?

JustMe I don't require note-taking but I do have links to note-taking skills pages for students ( including Cornell). I found the best way to turn kids off to social studies is to require incessant note-taking. I DO think it is important to teach various methods of info organization ( graphic organizers, charts, tables, etc...) and I do not downplay note-...See More

Apr 27, 2012

Sara On 4/26/12, Jami wrote: > What method of note taking does everyone use in their > classroom? Cornell? Outline? Or do have students take notes > at all? All teachers in our school use different niterating > methods and the high school our middle school feeds into > does not care. I teach 8th graders. What have you found > works bes...See More

May 1, 2012

Some advice please about becoming a History Teacher

by Julie

Apr 30, 2012

Hi, I am in need of help. My son is graduating HS this year and is entering college to become a History Teacher. We have discovered that many colleges do not certify in History, and if they do they are requiring a dual major. Some college advisors are saying to take the required credits to become a History major, and to be diverse is class choices....See More

view previous comments

Matt If you want to be a good history teacher, use the best lessons! check out [link removed]

Jul 10, 2012

Julie Barb, I wish your son the best. It is very competitive here in New Jersey too, in all subjects. I have been looking for an Art Teaching position for a year and a half, I hear literally over a hundred apply for each job, and in elementary jobs over 500 applicants.

It is because of this, and what your son is going through it makes me nervou...See MoreBarb, I wish your son the best. It is very competitive here in New Jersey too, in all subjects. I have been looking for an Art Teaching position for a year and a half, I hear literally over a hundred apply for each job, and in elementary jobs over 500 applicants.

It is because of this, and what your son is going through it makes me nervous that my son will be unemployed or have to take a position that is not what he wants. He has the passion for History, and the personality to be an outstanding teacher. It is just tough out there.

Thank you for sharing, Julie

On 6/15/12, Barb wrote: > On 5/02/12, Julie wrote: >> On 5/02/12, Burnout wrote: >>> On 4/30/12, Julie wrote: >>>> Hi, I am in need of help. My son is graduating HS this year >>>> and is entering college to become a History Teacher. We >>>> have discovered that many colleges do not certify in >>>> History, and if they do they are requiring a dual major. >>>> Some college advisors are saying to take the required >>>> credits to become a History major, and to be diverse is >>>> class choices. Other advisors are saying to stay focused in >>>> one area. >>>> >>>> Any advice would be appreciated. We live in NJ and the job >>>> market for teachers are few and far between, so whatever >>>> advice you could give would be appreciated. >>>> >>>> Thank you >>>> Julie >>> >>> >>> I might be opening a can of worms, but it needs to be said. >>> The willingness and/or the ability to coach a sport could prove >>> to be crucial. At the very least, Texas is this way. >>> >>> I was certified under an alternative program and chose to be >>> certified as Special Education rather than Social Studies even >>> though my degree is in History. The program director warned >>> all potential social studies teachers that coaches tend to fill >>> these positions. >> >> >> It is funny you should say this. Here in New Jersey many History >> Teachers are coaches as well. My son's ideal job would be to >> teach High School History and coach basketball and track. So I >> guess that should help him tremendously, he fits the profile of a >> History Teacher... >> > > > My son graduated from Illinois State in Dec.2009 with a social > studies secondary education degree, history minor & middle school > endorsement. He is passionate about teaching and all that know him > feel he has the right temperament and is in teaching for the right > reasons. He has done much subbing (day & long term) and volunteer > coaching for the last two years, which has enabled him to gain > experience and CONNECTIONS. Unfortunately it is so extremely > competitive in IL, especially in his area of teaching, that > ultimately you need a connection to be offered the opportunity to > showcase yourself. He has some very strong prospects for possibly > landing a permanent job for the upcoming year. If he is not able to > obtain a permanent position in the fall he will probably have to > pursue other opportunities...which would really be a shame! > > My son was warned by the university during his student teaching to > expect this type of situation in trying to secure a job, but I > really felt he would be one that would be able to get in to a > permanent position sooner than now. Anyone going into history or > social science teaching really needs to be prepared to pay their > dues in these tough times! > > Still keeping my fingers crossed one of his connections pays off for > the upcoming school year.... > >

Jul 13, 2012

last minute idea for cinco de mayo

by roundstanley

May 3, 2012

Just in case you need a quick activity for tomorrow if you are doing a cinco de mayo lesson...[link removed]

historyreal Thanks for the link...but you know...as history teachers, we really need to be able to discuss the truth about this " holiday". It really isn't a holiday in Mexico. It observes a rather uneventful battle with no lasting consequence and so May 5 really isn't something to " celebrate" per se. Now, having said that...it's OK to celebrate Mexican cultu...See More

May 11, 2012

Content-how not to get bogged down?

by NJTeach

May 11, 2012

I'll be teaching ancient civilizations next year after teaching US history for my entire career. My problem has always been getting bogged down in too much of the content and not covering all of the curriculum. Does anyone have any advice for how to avoid this?? I'd like to start off right this time around. Thanks.

Kev This will sound snide but tried pre-planning and a calendar? I've found that when I calendar out a semester ahead of time I don't let myself get more than a day behind and pick up those days whenever possible.

On 5/11/12, NJTeach wrote: > I'll be teaching ancient civilizations next year after > teaching US history for my entire caree...See More

May 19, 2012

Sara If there's one word that I think doesn't serve education or learning well, it's cover - 'covering the curriculum'. What does it really mean to 'cover the curriculum' - I've never really known. My principal asks "Did you cover that?"

Is he asking me if they learned it or not? Is he asking me if they'll retain it for very long? Because the l...See More

May 24, 2012

why is history important?

by sell it 2 the kids

May 14, 2012

how do you convince kids that it is important to learn history? yhey all think it all happened so long ago....

just some thoughts On 5/14/12, sell it 2 the kids wrote: > how do you convince kids that it is important to learn > history? yhey all think it all happened so long ago....

Sometimes this question arises in any class - but math and history are particularly prone to being questioned. Why? Because both subjects can be hard for kids.

In my experi...See More

May 15, 2012

Government for freshman Project Idea..need some tips

by Edward VIII

May 16, 2012

I teach a freshman participation in government/economics class in NYC. Yes, I know virtually every other school in New York State does Global first, but my school does government and economics in the freshman year. Anyways, I need a project that is related to what we are currently learning (The Constitution) and relates to present day. I am kind of...See More

TeachLV You may get more responses if you give us more info, such as how long you want the project to be, or an idea of the academic level of the students (beyond their grade level). I have my students research a contemporary application of the Constitution and produce a mini-documentary. Obviously this is a larger project that takes more time and access t...See More

May 17, 2012

Sara On 5/16/12, Edward VIII wrote: > I teach a freshman participation in government/economics > class in NYC. Yes, I know virtually every other school in > New York State does Global first, but my school does > government and economics in the freshman year. Anyways, I > need a project that is related to what we are currently > learnin...See More

May 18, 2012

Social Studies Lesson Plans

by Shane

May 16, 2012

Hey, I'm putting together a resource for US History Teachers that offers worksheets, powerpoints and video resources. If you would like to check it out or CONTRIBUTE feel free follow this link at [link removed]!

matt On 5/16/12, Shane wrote: > Hey, I'm putting together a resource for US History Teachers > that offers worksheets, powerpoints and video resources. If > you would like to check it out or CONTRIBUTE feel free > follow this link at [link removed]!

Check out [link removed]

Jul 10, 2012

New Social Studies Textbooks!!!!!!

by Leona

May 20, 2012

After almost a decade and a half we finally have permission to purchase NEW textbooks!!!!!! Sorry for all the excitment but mine are so old and cruddy I hate to hand thme out.

Anyway, we are in the process on ordering new books. I was wondering what you think of the series that you are currently using. We will be replacing the following bo...See More

view previous comments

kev I'll echo the TCI recommendation. It is a much more "mature" text than you'll find from other publishers. It was not designed for kill and drill, read and spew type learning. It was clearly designed for students to learn and then use.

A cabal of uninspired teachers in my district prevented us from adopting it 4 years ago ("It doesn't have ...See MoreI'll echo the TCI recommendation. It is a much more "mature" text than you'll find from other publishers. It was not designed for kill and drill, read and spew type learning. It was clearly designed for students to learn and then use.

A cabal of uninspired teachers in my district prevented us from adopting it 4 years ago ("It doesn't have questions at the end of each section!") and I'm still bitter.

On 5/26/12, have you tried TCI? wrote: > I got a copy of the Geography Alive textbook at an Interactive > Notebook workshop and LOVE it. This particular text is geared > towards high school students, but Teachers Curriculum Institute > has texts for all social studies. > > The readings are in-depth, the graphics/pics relevant, and content > is engaging. My students prefer using this text over our class set > (Mcdougal-Litell W. Geography). The resources are great as well. > > > On 5/26/12, Social Studies Teacher wrote: >> On 5/20/12, Leona wrote: >>> After almost a decade and a half we finally have permission >>> to purchase NEW textbooks!!!!!! Sorry for all the >>> excitment but mine are so old and cruddy I hate to hand >>> thme out. >> >> Nothing discourages reading more than a textbook... I have >> spent years looking for a textbook that fosters reading and >> have yet to find it. The more they load the textbooks with >> those silly sidebars and balloons the more confusing they are >> to kids. >> >> I use books that make sense - textbooks rarely if ever do. But >> I'll be watching this thread with interest and hope to learn >> something from it. >> >> >>> >>> Anyway, we are in the process on ordering new books. I was >>> wondering what you think of the series that you are >>> currently using. We will be replacing the following books >>> 7th American History >>> 8th Geography and Modern World History >>> 9th Civics and Geography >>> 10th AMerican History >>> 11th WOrld History >>> 12th Government and Economics >>> >>> My question is would you recommend the series you are >>> currently using or not? What are it's good and bad points? >>> >>> On a side note, our school does not have smartboards and >>> very few projectors so if the curriculum is based on these >>> amenities, it will not be a good fit in out school. >>> >>> Other side note, it has been "highly encouraged" to really >>> stress reading and writing. This is a top down mandate that >>> is being enforced.

May 27, 2012

Leona I just checked out the TCI home page. I really liked this. I don't think I will beable to use it with my 7th graders though. Their US history book only goes up to the industrial period. My state standards go from 1800 to present. That leaves about 130 years uncovered. I am going to contact TCI tomorrow and see if they are planning on coming out wit...See MoreI just checked out the TCI home page. I really liked this. I don't think I will beable to use it with my 7th graders though. Their US history book only goes up to the industrial period. My state standards go from 1800 to present. That leaves about 130 years uncovered. I am going to contact TCI tomorrow and see if they are planning on coming out with the second half of the American History book this summer. Others wise can't do it.

I am going to propse that we purchase it for our 10th grade US history class.

Unfortunately since I last wrote things have changed. We are only going to beable to replace a couple of the books. AHHHH don't you just love budget cuts.

Thanks for your help.

On 5/26/12, have you tried TCI? wrote: > I got a copy of the Geography Alive textbook at an Interactive > Notebook workshop and LOVE it. This particular text is geared > towards high school students, but Teachers Curriculum Institute > has texts for all social studies. > > The readings are in-depth, the graphics/pics relevant, and content > is engaging. My students prefer using this text over our class set > (Mcdougal-Litell W. Geography). The resources are great as well. > > > On 5/26/12, Social Studies Teacher wrote: >> On 5/20/12, Leona wrote: >>> After almost a decade and a half we finally have permission >>> to purchase NEW textbooks!!!!!! Sorry for all the >>> excitment but mine are so old and cruddy I hate to hand >>> thme out. >> >> Nothing discourages reading more than a textbook... I have >> spent years looking for a textbook that fosters reading and >> have yet to find it. The more they load the textbooks with >> those silly sidebars and balloons the more confusing they are >> to kids. >> >> I use books that make sense - textbooks rarely if ever do. But >> I'll be watching this thread with interest and hope to learn >> something from it. >> >> >>> >>> Anyway, we are in the process on ordering new books. I was >>> wondering what you think of the series that you are >>> currently using. We will be replacing the following books >>> 7th American History >>> 8th Geography and Modern World History >>> 9th Civics and Geography >>> 10th AMerican History >>> 11th WOrld History >>> 12th Government and Economics >>> >>> My question is would you recommend the series you are >>> currently using or not? What are it's good and bad points? >>> >>> On a side note, our school does not have smartboards and >>> very few projectors so if the curriculum is based on these >>> amenities, it will not be a good fit in out school. >>> >>> Other side note, it has been "highly encouraged" to really >>> stress reading and writing. This is a top down mandate that >>> is being enforced.

Jun 13, 2012

Potential Teacher Exhange with UK teachers

by Alex Ford

May 21, 2012

Hi all, My wife and I are both qualified teachers in the UK and are looking to broaden our educational experience through a teacher exchange to the USA. I am particularly interested in the American West (Colorado, Utah etc.) as this fits in with my own historical research interests as well. I am currently head of history at a secondary scho...See More

Autry Survey & Free 1-Year Membership

by Dana Powell Russell, Ed.D.

May 23, 2012

CALIFORNIA TEACHERS: The Autry National Center of the American West needs your input for their future education programs, and EVERYONE RECEIVES A FREE 1-YEAR AUTRY MEMBERSHIP for helping out! Click the link to take the brief survey. Questions? [email removed].

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