Lucky in Learning.

After a snow day yesterday this week's plans are slightly skewed, but not enough to stop us from creating Valentines for Veterans.  As part of my student teaching (7 short years ago), I had to have students complete a service learning project.  My mentor suggested Valentines for Veterans.  It's an awesome way for students to think locally and show some appreciation for local veterans. Here's some info on how I've done this in the past in case you're wanting to do something similar... 1) Locate a VFW or VA office to help put you in contact with someone who can help to deliver the Valentines. 2) Keep the Valentines generic...unless students have a particular friend or family member in mind to give them to (this is always a cool option).  I also encourage students to sign with just their first name. 3) Get the whole school involved - I've just opened this opportunity up for our whole middle school to take part in.  I think it's important that students thi...

It's been awhile, but I'm back with some of the cool things that we're doing in 8th Grade Social Studies.  One of my favorite 'apps' to use for our iPads is iTunes U.  Not only is there a bunch of free content, you also have the ability to create your own content.  For each unit in my class, I've created a course.  These appear publicly in iTunes U (more specifically on the BCPS page).  Creating courses allows me to upload handouts, articles, videos, and podcasts so that my students can easily snag them/watch them/listen to them.  One of my favorite parts about iTunes U is that students can download the material and thereby overcome the discrepancy of who has internet and who doesn't at home.  iTunes U has allowed me to begin flipping my classroom, too.  I'll post more a more in depth look at iTunes U in the future, but it is simply an amazing tool that should be looked into whether you have iPads/iPods - there's content for students as well a...

This school year has been a race so far.  It all started in late August when I transitioned from our district's technology coach to be an 8th grade Social Studies teacher.  Did I mention our district rolled out our K-12 1:1 iPad initiative at the beginning of the year, too?  Needless to say, it's been a struggle to get my feet on the ground between helping the new tech coach transition in and making sure my lesson plans are good and ready.  However, I miss blogging (both personally and professionally) and need an outlet to 'talk shop' (my husband can only listen for so long when I talk about 8th grade).  So, here you'll find my ramblings on what we do in our 8th grade Social Studies classroom -- some technology, some paper-pencil, some classroom management and decor, and some pleas for help :)  I hope you like what you read.  If you're a middle school blogger, please leave a comment.  Upper middle school bloggers seem in short supply and I'm alwa...