Today I resurrected one of my favorite old activities that I used to do. It got pushed out a few years ago due to a number of reasons. This year, I decided to bring it back. It is called "Kings for a Day."
In the activity I create a scenario in classroom in which a few "select" students get to have complete control of the room for the day. Only two things must be allowed to continue from my previous rule...
1. They can't banish me from the room. (They can make me sit quietly or quack like a duck if they choose, but I still need to be there.)
2. They can't disturb other classrooms.
Everything else is fair game. I give them 10 minutes to write down the rules or "laws" of the class for the day.
They LOVE it.
The "Kings" spend the next 10 minutes deviously creating as many rules as they can.
We spend a couple minutes going over the laws and laughing at the silliness of the rules before I get to make my point.
I always have a point.
I have done this activity over 20 times in my teaching, and two things remain consistent.
Every. Single. Time.
1. The "Kings" attempt to figure out how to make sure there "power" is long-lasting. Often times requiring that I extend this activity for the entire year, they get to continue to add rules anytime, that no one is allowed to take their "King" status away, etc...
And probably the most disturbing realization to the kids...
2. The "Kings" create a slave-like system in which they are in charge and the others must either do their bidding or complete some embarrassing task.
At this point during they day, my "Kings" slouch a little lower in their seats and start shifting their eyes nervously.
Slaves... No one likes that word.
In this day in age it can be hard to convey to the students how slavery ever existed. They learn the horrors of the institution and wonder why we honor our Founding Fathers, when many of them were slave owners. Many times they just respond with "well, that was over 200 years ago," or "we know better now that it was wrong."
This activity lets them learn two very important lessons.
1. That power is easily abused. Good kids, who know right from wrong, in less than 10 minutes created a very powerful dictatorship. They learn why it was so important for our government to create a system of separating the governmental powers and having them checked by other branches.
2. That slavery was a very easy concept to adopt. It is very easy to believe that you are "better" than another person based solely on something silly like skin color. My 8th graders did it based on the kings and queens of a deck of cards.
As we prepare to study the Civil War and the reason it was fought, I thought this was a good lesson for my kids to learn. Why didn't the South want to give up slavery? Why didn't they see how wrong it was? How could anyone treat another human like that? How easily is power abused? These are all great questions for the students to ponder.
Monday, March 25, 2013
Monday, February 4, 2013
Century of Progress: A Jouney to Become a Better Teacher
It was over three years ago that I first received an email asking me to take part in a survey our education cooperative (ESSDACK) was needing for a grant project provided by the Teaching American History program. It would be called Century of Progress.
If I participated in the survey I would be one of the first teachers selected for the program. If I was part of this program there were several things I would be receiving and several things I would be required to participate in.
I hate the word "required." Automatically I got a yucky taste in my mouth.
It didn't improve as I read the list of other required items...
I dismissed the thought, deleted the email, and went about my day. Until I checked my email again that afternoon.
Forwarded to me was the exact same email from my building principal, our district curriculum director, the librarian (really???), and the superintendent.
Crap.
I get the point. I'll do it. (But I am NOT going to like it.)
Famous last words...
It turns out, I couldn't have been more wrong about this project, how I would respond to it, and what it would do for my teaching.
There are many things a teacher can do to grow professionally, but I truly believe one of the biggest is to collaborate with other teachers, and for secondary teachers it is almost more important to collaborate with other teachers who instruct the same subject. I can work all year long with the math, science and language arts teachers in my building and get some ideas, many that I'll never use, but put me in a room with 39 other middle school social studies teachers FOUR times a year and I walk out of there with my head BUZZING of new ideas, strategies, and resources, and feeling like my professional career has jumped forward.
Century of Progress has done more than just improve the methods of which I teach, but it has taken away the fear. The fear of trying something new and failing, the fear of a completely different set of standards and expectations, the fear of working with primary source documents which can be VERY intimidating. I was so afraid of people reading my lesson plans and watching me on tape, that I forgot that I created my lesson plans by reading and watching what others have done. Century of Progress helped to to realize that I can be that idea for someone else. There are so many possibilities when ideas are shared from teacher to teacher. When good ideas are shared and teaching practices increase that all translates into more learning and better experiences for kids.
I used to fear changes because it meant so much extra work. (Work to be completed in our "copious amount of free time...") I used to sit back and wait to be told what was coming. Now, because of Century of Progress, I feel like I am a leader. I am confident in what I am teaching, with new ideas, resources, and a strong belief that what I am doing is promoting learning and student engagement. I have a network of teachers who not only have many of the same fears and concerns because we face the same challenges, but also have the same passion and drive. That energy is exciting. I want to share that excitement.
Starting next school year, social studies teachers in the state of Kansas will have a brand new set of standards, very different standards to follow. They will be scary to some, but because of Century of Progress I have already been given so many of the skills and tools needed to transition my classroom into one of the future, and some of that transition has already taken place. I feel ready. I feel excited.
Century of Progress will hold it's last summer conference in June this year. I am dreading it, but not for the reasons I thought I would three years ago. I have come to enjoy these meetings and the people so much, I don't want it to end. It may sound cheesy, but there is a bond there. We understand each other. We have been through a lot in three years. We are middle school teachers, we are history geeks, and we are awesome!
Thank goodness for the forward button.
If I participated in the survey I would be one of the first teachers selected for the program. If I was part of this program there were several things I would be receiving and several things I would be required to participate in.
I hate the word "required." Automatically I got a yucky taste in my mouth.
It didn't improve as I read the list of other required items...
- Participate in four scheduled conference dates throughout the school year - GASP! Take me out of the classroom. No way. I HATE being gone from school, I HATE making sub plans, and I HATE having my time wasted by boring meetings.
- Submit lesson plans and allow for you to be videotaped. These will be available on the web for other teachers to use as a resource. - Uhhhh...I'm not a good speller and my work is filled with typos, most of my lesson plans are copied and modified from another teacher, no one would want to use them anyway. Oh, and I am NOT going to be video-tapped.
- Required participation in a week long conference over the summer. - Are you kidding me?!?! A week. Out of my summer??? I'm busy enough as it is with school stuff over the summer, and they want an entire week. Never.
- Book studies, lectures from American History professors, required attendance - No. No. No.
- This project will last for three years - THREE YEARS?!?! That's a long-term commitment. NOPE. Not gonna do it!
I dismissed the thought, deleted the email, and went about my day. Until I checked my email again that afternoon.
Forwarded to me was the exact same email from my building principal, our district curriculum director, the librarian (really???), and the superintendent.
Crap.
I get the point. I'll do it. (But I am NOT going to like it.)
Famous last words...
It turns out, I couldn't have been more wrong about this project, how I would respond to it, and what it would do for my teaching.
There are many things a teacher can do to grow professionally, but I truly believe one of the biggest is to collaborate with other teachers, and for secondary teachers it is almost more important to collaborate with other teachers who instruct the same subject. I can work all year long with the math, science and language arts teachers in my building and get some ideas, many that I'll never use, but put me in a room with 39 other middle school social studies teachers FOUR times a year and I walk out of there with my head BUZZING of new ideas, strategies, and resources, and feeling like my professional career has jumped forward.
Century of Progress has done more than just improve the methods of which I teach, but it has taken away the fear. The fear of trying something new and failing, the fear of a completely different set of standards and expectations, the fear of working with primary source documents which can be VERY intimidating. I was so afraid of people reading my lesson plans and watching me on tape, that I forgot that I created my lesson plans by reading and watching what others have done. Century of Progress helped to to realize that I can be that idea for someone else. There are so many possibilities when ideas are shared from teacher to teacher. When good ideas are shared and teaching practices increase that all translates into more learning and better experiences for kids.
I used to fear changes because it meant so much extra work. (Work to be completed in our "copious amount of free time...") I used to sit back and wait to be told what was coming. Now, because of Century of Progress, I feel like I am a leader. I am confident in what I am teaching, with new ideas, resources, and a strong belief that what I am doing is promoting learning and student engagement. I have a network of teachers who not only have many of the same fears and concerns because we face the same challenges, but also have the same passion and drive. That energy is exciting. I want to share that excitement.
Starting next school year, social studies teachers in the state of Kansas will have a brand new set of standards, very different standards to follow. They will be scary to some, but because of Century of Progress I have already been given so many of the skills and tools needed to transition my classroom into one of the future, and some of that transition has already taken place. I feel ready. I feel excited.
Century of Progress will hold it's last summer conference in June this year. I am dreading it, but not for the reasons I thought I would three years ago. I have come to enjoy these meetings and the people so much, I don't want it to end. It may sound cheesy, but there is a bond there. We understand each other. We have been through a lot in three years. We are middle school teachers, we are history geeks, and we are awesome!
Thank goodness for the forward button.
Thursday, January 31, 2013
Only in a Middle School Classroom...
A conversation today in my classroom.
Me: *Bobby* you have until the end of the day to turn in your current event. By "end of the day" I mean 11:59. That's one of the perks of Edmodo, you can turn in your assignment at the exact last minute.
*Johnny*: OR! You could be real Ninja-like and sneak into the school and turn the paper copy into the basket at 11:59.
Me: Nope. I don't accept paper copies anymore, only online. Plus, you shouldn't worry about anything but being a ninja and getting your project done. Ninja's get their work done.
Explode various background conversations from all students...
Like me. I get my homework done. I'm a ninja!
No I'm a ninja.
I get my homework done. Ninja's get their homework done.
Ninjas are smart. There are no stupid ninjas.
What about Beverly Hill's Ninja? He was pretty dumb.
Ha! I'm a real ninja. I'm Asian!
Hey guys we better stop. You made Mrs. Weber cry.
She's not crying. She's ok. She's just laughing.
Me: *Bobby* you have until the end of the day to turn in your current event. By "end of the day" I mean 11:59. That's one of the perks of Edmodo, you can turn in your assignment at the exact last minute.
*Johnny*: OR! You could be real Ninja-like and sneak into the school and turn the paper copy into the basket at 11:59.
Me: Nope. I don't accept paper copies anymore, only online. Plus, you shouldn't worry about anything but being a ninja and getting your project done. Ninja's get their work done.
Explode various background conversations from all students...
Like me. I get my homework done. I'm a ninja!
No I'm a ninja.
I get my homework done. Ninja's get their homework done.
Ninjas are smart. There are no stupid ninjas.
What about Beverly Hill's Ninja? He was pretty dumb.
Ha! I'm a real ninja. I'm Asian!
Hey guys we better stop. You made Mrs. Weber cry.
She's not crying. She's ok. She's just laughing.
Thursday, January 24, 2013
Last Minute Ideas = the Best Lessons
It is amazing how many teachers are procrastinators. Myself included.
Actually, when I really think about it, I wouldn't necessarily call it procrastination, but making big changes to lesson plans in order to make learning improve at all times.
Lately, in my world "at all times" has referred to my drive on the way to school. I live 18 minutes away from my driveway to the school parking lot. Or 23 minutes if I have to drop off baby at daycare. Like I said...I drive a lot.
More times this school year I have been thinking, pondering, or even talking on the phone to my husband or mother and ended up thinking up some new activity to do in class. This usually involves me hibernating in my classroom before the kids come in trying to scurry and get the last little bits completed. It makes for stressful beginnings, but more often than not, great results.
Today was one of those days.
As I was driving in to work and chatting with my husband, I was feeling just a little guilty. You see, yesterday was an in-service day. Sometimes in-service days can be motivating and full of great ideas to transfer to the classroom. Sometimes they can be full of meetings where you struggle to find a point. Monday was mostly good. We did have a speaker to lectured to us for two hours about student engagement and disengagement One of his biggest points was lecture is bad and causes students to be disengaged. (You picking up on the irony of the two hour lecture??)
Guess which subject has the teachers who lecture the most?
If you said Social Studies, you were right.
Great.
Now guess what I had in my plans for today.
Yup. Lecture.
Not an entire hour of lecture, at most 20 minutes. Still...lecture. (And on a side note, I call mine "interactive lectures" with pictures, explanations, little video clips, me pacing around the room, and questions and answers throughout...I'm no Ben Stein.) Still lecture.
Ok. New plan.
In less than an hour of students entering my room bright-eyed and ready to learn, I move from lecture to a four day project that involves partner work, group work, class collaboration competition, thinking subtextually (is that even a word?), higher level thinking, placing events into political, social, and economic categories, work with primary sources, secondary sources, cooperative learning, differentiated instruction, and a back-up assignment for students who are so sick they miss the majority of the project. The "experts" of educational strategies for higher-level learning would be impressed.
Did I mention that there were also classroom visits by members of the Site Council. Instead of walking into my classroom during a lecture or worksheet they walked in on groups of students spread out around the classroom working in pairs engaged in the lesson and hardly taking notice of our visitors.
Now that's what I call a fantastic day!
Actually, when I really think about it, I wouldn't necessarily call it procrastination, but making big changes to lesson plans in order to make learning improve at all times.
Lately, in my world "at all times" has referred to my drive on the way to school. I live 18 minutes away from my driveway to the school parking lot. Or 23 minutes if I have to drop off baby at daycare. Like I said...I drive a lot.
More times this school year I have been thinking, pondering, or even talking on the phone to my husband or mother and ended up thinking up some new activity to do in class. This usually involves me hibernating in my classroom before the kids come in trying to scurry and get the last little bits completed. It makes for stressful beginnings, but more often than not, great results.
Today was one of those days.
As I was driving in to work and chatting with my husband, I was feeling just a little guilty. You see, yesterday was an in-service day. Sometimes in-service days can be motivating and full of great ideas to transfer to the classroom. Sometimes they can be full of meetings where you struggle to find a point. Monday was mostly good. We did have a speaker to lectured to us for two hours about student engagement and disengagement One of his biggest points was lecture is bad and causes students to be disengaged. (You picking up on the irony of the two hour lecture??)
Guess which subject has the teachers who lecture the most?
If you said Social Studies, you were right.
Great.
Now guess what I had in my plans for today.
Yup. Lecture.
Not an entire hour of lecture, at most 20 minutes. Still...lecture. (And on a side note, I call mine "interactive lectures" with pictures, explanations, little video clips, me pacing around the room, and questions and answers throughout...I'm no Ben Stein.) Still lecture.
Ok. New plan.
In less than an hour of students entering my room bright-eyed and ready to learn, I move from lecture to a four day project that involves partner work, group work, class collaboration competition, thinking subtextually (is that even a word?), higher level thinking, placing events into political, social, and economic categories, work with primary sources, secondary sources, cooperative learning, differentiated instruction, and a back-up assignment for students who are so sick they miss the majority of the project. The "experts" of educational strategies for higher-level learning would be impressed.
Did I mention that there were also classroom visits by members of the Site Council. Instead of walking into my classroom during a lecture or worksheet they walked in on groups of students spread out around the classroom working in pairs engaged in the lesson and hardly taking notice of our visitors.
Now that's what I call a fantastic day!
Friday, January 18, 2013
What Will Become of Them?
You know who I'm talking about.
Those students who misplace everything.
The moment class starts they ask if they can go get the assignment, pencil, book, paper, eraser, bottle of water, phone, agenda, or any other imaginable object they should have in class.
Sometimes, when I'm frustrated with what seems like the 500th time "Johnny" needs another copy of an assignment, I need to remember something.
Last week I had to ask my principal for another copy of my self-evaluation because I'm pretty sure I threw it away on accident (or it's buried somewhere on my desk).
What will become of them???
They will be fine. They will graduate. They will get jobs. They will adjust to the world around them.
And they may just become teachers...
Those students who misplace everything.
Their locker looks a little like this...
Their binders look a little like this...
The moment class starts they ask if they can go get the assignment, pencil, book, paper, eraser, bottle of water, phone, agenda, or any other imaginable object they should have in class.
Sometimes, when I'm frustrated with what seems like the 500th time "Johnny" needs another copy of an assignment, I need to remember something.
My desk looks like this...
Today I spent two blocks standing in one place during a lecture because I somehow misplaced my clicker. (My students know how much I HATE to do that!) It was later found by a student in the office. I have no idea how it got there!
Last week I had to ask my principal for another copy of my self-evaluation because I'm pretty sure I threw it away on accident (or it's buried somewhere on my desk).
What will become of them???
They will be fine. They will graduate. They will get jobs. They will adjust to the world around them.
And they may just become teachers...
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
My Classroom Christmas Card
Every year in the mail I receive letter after letter, picture after picture, from family and friends telling me how the last year has gone. I thought this would be a good idea for a blog post about my classroom. I am sure parents would be interested in our year so far. (Count yourselves lucky...I didn't even do one of these for my OWN family!)
The school year is off to a great start. Mrs. Weber came back in August after having 5 WONDERFUL months off for maternity leave. The transition back to school was challenging, but she finally settled into a routine of managing life at home with life at school. It definitely was nice to be back among the middle schoolers again!
Things in Mrs. Weber's classroom took a drastic change. After 6 years of teaching and having the classroom set up a certain way, it was time for a new look. Student groups took a new arrangement (you won't believe how LONG that took...Mrs Weber can be kind of particular), the teacher's desk moved to a new corner, and the projector is now shining it's light on a brand new Smart Board. Figuring out the Smart Board is a slow but fun process.
Speaking of figuring things out...there are many new things with technology creeping up in the classroom. Mrs. Weber is utilizing her iPad with the students more and more, and wishing she had more for the students to use...Santa???
Mrs. Weber has also started using a new website called Edmodo. Edmodo allows for her to post assignments, presentations, and student collaboration outside of class. The 7th graders were VERY excited for Edmodo, thinking it was "Facebook for the classroom." However, Mrs. Weber is confident that the new "cool" factor about the website will go away as soon as the students start to realize that they have to do WORK. The use of websites and technology is something that is being integrated throughout the district, so more and more teachers will be using these methods.
The 8th grade came in to class ready to pick up where they left off last year. Small in number, but tons of fun, the 8th grade have been working hard learning about the U.S. Constitution. We even took a break for a mini-unit on the election. You might have had some rousing conversations with your son or daughter on political topics. Liberal or Conservative???? The 8th graders will be continuing on with their study of American History after the Christmas Break. Mrs. Weber is relaxing on her time schedule since the 8th graders will not take the Social Studies State Assessment this year. She will be incorporating strategies from the Common Core Standards and getting a head start on creating lessons that will follow the new Social Studies State Standards set to be released next school year. These standards will require the student to think like Historians, back up their answers with evidence from different text sources, and analyzing primary sources. Be prepared...all subjects will be making these changes in the future!
The 7th graders have already been incorporating these new techniques and are already familiar with the process. Their tests have changed from regurgitating multiple choice facts to open-ended questions over primary sources. Mrs. Weber is happy with the results of the tests and is excited to see what growth will come from this new way of teaching. 7th graders will continue with their study of Kansas History in January by talking about homesteaders and the adaptations settlers made who lived in Western Kansas which had few trees and little water.
All-in-all it has been a great first semester, and Mrs. Weber is looking forward to seeing what her students will create next! As she says every year, after Christmas Break the school year is on a very fast slide to summer break, and there is still much work to be done! Stay tuned for more exciting news from "The Web."
:o)
The school year is off to a great start. Mrs. Weber came back in August after having 5 WONDERFUL months off for maternity leave. The transition back to school was challenging, but she finally settled into a routine of managing life at home with life at school. It definitely was nice to be back among the middle schoolers again!
Things in Mrs. Weber's classroom took a drastic change. After 6 years of teaching and having the classroom set up a certain way, it was time for a new look. Student groups took a new arrangement (you won't believe how LONG that took...Mrs Weber can be kind of particular), the teacher's desk moved to a new corner, and the projector is now shining it's light on a brand new Smart Board. Figuring out the Smart Board is a slow but fun process.
Speaking of figuring things out...there are many new things with technology creeping up in the classroom. Mrs. Weber is utilizing her iPad with the students more and more, and wishing she had more for the students to use...Santa???
Mrs. Weber has also started using a new website called Edmodo. Edmodo allows for her to post assignments, presentations, and student collaboration outside of class. The 7th graders were VERY excited for Edmodo, thinking it was "Facebook for the classroom." However, Mrs. Weber is confident that the new "cool" factor about the website will go away as soon as the students start to realize that they have to do WORK. The use of websites and technology is something that is being integrated throughout the district, so more and more teachers will be using these methods.
The 8th grade came in to class ready to pick up where they left off last year. Small in number, but tons of fun, the 8th grade have been working hard learning about the U.S. Constitution. We even took a break for a mini-unit on the election. You might have had some rousing conversations with your son or daughter on political topics. Liberal or Conservative???? The 8th graders will be continuing on with their study of American History after the Christmas Break. Mrs. Weber is relaxing on her time schedule since the 8th graders will not take the Social Studies State Assessment this year. She will be incorporating strategies from the Common Core Standards and getting a head start on creating lessons that will follow the new Social Studies State Standards set to be released next school year. These standards will require the student to think like Historians, back up their answers with evidence from different text sources, and analyzing primary sources. Be prepared...all subjects will be making these changes in the future!
The 7th graders have already been incorporating these new techniques and are already familiar with the process. Their tests have changed from regurgitating multiple choice facts to open-ended questions over primary sources. Mrs. Weber is happy with the results of the tests and is excited to see what growth will come from this new way of teaching. 7th graders will continue with their study of Kansas History in January by talking about homesteaders and the adaptations settlers made who lived in Western Kansas which had few trees and little water.
All-in-all it has been a great first semester, and Mrs. Weber is looking forward to seeing what her students will create next! As she says every year, after Christmas Break the school year is on a very fast slide to summer break, and there is still much work to be done! Stay tuned for more exciting news from "The Web."
:o)
Friday, December 14, 2012
The "Giving" Season
No matter what profession you have, the last few weeks of work before Christmas can be a tough time to concentrate. But, working as a teacher means trying to force a classroom full of sugar-soaked kids to pay attention and stay focused on the lesson.
If you're not a teacher, you don't understand. Period.
You can try to say that your own kids are crazy at this time of year, but those are your kids. You can duct tape them to a chair if you have to. (OK, probably not a wise move, but parents have more options for dealing with a rambunctious child than teachers do).
I have always been a big believer in keeping the kids working and focused until the last minute of class. My focus always involved a test over our economics unit.
But this year I wanted a different kind of work.
I decided that I was in the giving mood. Or lack of giving...
Meaning, I didn't feel like "giving" a test to my 8th graders on their last day of school before the break.
(That's what is great about being the teacher. I can make those kinds of fun decisions.)
Instead I decided to bring back one of my all time favorite activities/assignments that I had to cut the last few years due to testing. (More on that later...)
I love political cartoons! I love teaching kids about political cartoons. I used to do so much with them, and I want to get back to that. Using humor to teach is a very powerful weapon! My assignment involves learning about different types of political cartoons and then requiring the students to create one of their own. I put the student cartoons on display and they ALWAYS turn out great! I've even done contests where other teachers vote on their favorites and give out prizes.
The kids enjoy it, I enjoy it, and parents enjoy seeing them at conferences in the spring (I do leave them on display for a really long time...).
Stay tuned after the New Year for pictures of some of my favorites!
If you're not a teacher, you don't understand. Period.
You can try to say that your own kids are crazy at this time of year, but those are your kids. You can duct tape them to a chair if you have to. (OK, probably not a wise move, but parents have more options for dealing with a rambunctious child than teachers do).
I have always been a big believer in keeping the kids working and focused until the last minute of class. My focus always involved a test over our economics unit.
But this year I wanted a different kind of work.
I decided that I was in the giving mood. Or lack of giving...
Meaning, I didn't feel like "giving" a test to my 8th graders on their last day of school before the break.
(That's what is great about being the teacher. I can make those kinds of fun decisions.)
Instead I decided to bring back one of my all time favorite activities/assignments that I had to cut the last few years due to testing. (More on that later...)
I love political cartoons! I love teaching kids about political cartoons. I used to do so much with them, and I want to get back to that. Using humor to teach is a very powerful weapon! My assignment involves learning about different types of political cartoons and then requiring the students to create one of their own. I put the student cartoons on display and they ALWAYS turn out great! I've even done contests where other teachers vote on their favorites and give out prizes.
The kids enjoy it, I enjoy it, and parents enjoy seeing them at conferences in the spring (I do leave them on display for a really long time...).
Stay tuned after the New Year for pictures of some of my favorites!
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