Spooky...

Technology

The laptops have provided a wonderful way for me to integrate all sorts of new activities into each unit of study.  One example is being able to bring classes together without having to leave our classroom!  This week each of my classes had Skype sessions (video chats) with the 5th grade students for whom they are writing their children's books on the American Revolution.  They introduced themselves to one another and sort of gave a preview of what their books are about.  We will be traveling down to the elementary schools in a few weeks but in the meantime, this was a great way to generate interest for this activity for both groups of students.

Boston Trip 2010

We are just now finishing our unit of study on the Colonial Era & the American Revolution, which means it's the perfect time for our annual US History field trip to Boston!  After eating lunch and exploring Quincy Market, we were greeted by two costumed guides who took us on a 90 minute walking tour of the Freedom Trail.  This is a route throughout Boston that takes people to a variety of historical sites. 

Here's half the group with our tour guide, Jeremiah Poope (yes, his real character name).

Above, they are pretending to be in the 'stocks'.

Here they are in the Granary Burial Ground where several famous patriots are buried.

After the Freedom Trail, we went on a tour of the USS Constitution, a ship used during the War of 1812.  A member of the Navy gave us a tour throughout the ship.

 Here's some of the group in front of the ship

 In front of the 'grog' barrel

In front of the sleeping hammocks

I think it is fair to say that the students had a really great time and learned a lot from this trip.  Actually seeing the places they are reading about and hearing about in class is a great way for them to make meaningful connections.  They were so well behaved, polite, and attentive throughout the trip that we actually received several compliments.  I was very proud!  GO LAKERS!

Maine Author Visit

Today (October 14th) we were fortunate to have Maine author Lea Wait come to speak to the US History classes about writing historical fiction books for young adults.  Students are in the process of writing their own historical fiction books on the American Revolution that will be shared with 5th grade students in our school district.  We thought this would be a great opportunity to bring in Ms. Wait so she could speak to the students about the writing and research process for this type of book.  You can visit her website here if you'd like to learn more about Lea.  Here are some pictures from today's event:

Lea brought in several historical items, including this map from the 1700s, which students could reference for place names to be included in their stories.

Here the students are checking out the other items that Lea brought...she is holding a portable tin oven!

Lea explains the different types of clothing worn in the 1770s.

Helping with questions and research

The students had time to work in their book project groups, discussing and developing ideas for characters and plot as well as incorporating historical events into their stories.

Working cooperatively!

Once the books are completed, I hope to post more pictures when we take a field trip down to the 5th grade classes to have those students read the stories back to my students!

Junto Society Tea

Over the summer while I was standing in the checkout line at WalMart, I spotted this:

Inside, one of the articles explained that once a week, while living in Philadelphia, Benjamin Franklin would get together with a group of men as part of his social networking group called the Junto (who-n-toe).  He created a list of topics for the members to discuss at each meeting.  Here are some of the topics listed in the article:

1.  Have you met with anything in the author you last read remarkable or suitable to be communicated to the Junto?

2. Hath any citizen in your knowledge failed in his business lately; and what have you heard of the cause?

 3. Have you lately heard of any citizen’s thriving well, and by what means?

 4. Have you lately heard how any present rich man, here or elsewhere, got his estate?

 5. Do you know of any fellow citizen who has lately done worthy action deserving praise and imitation?  Or who has committed an error proper for us to be warned against and avoid?

 I thought it would be really fun and interesting to recreate the Junto Society with my students and have them discuss the same questions that Franklin posed to his group.  They were asked to 'decode' what Franklin was asking in each question then answer with what is going on in their lives today.  Here's  the invitation they received to our meeting:

 They were also asked to bring a colonial dish/food to share with their classmates.  I supplied the beverages, in this case tea, which many students commented they had never had!  After watching a video where the colonists were milking goats, the students decided they also wanted to try goat milk so I brought some in for the brave ones to sample!  Here are some pictures from the event:

 (Some tea, homemade biscuits, and even homemade butter!)

 (One of Mr. Smith's classes joined one of my classes for our tea)

(they're busy discussing the questions)

Here are some of the adventurous students sampling goat milk:

I think their expressions show who liked it and who didn't:

We had a really great time and the students had some great discussions!  

I will definitely do this activity again next year!

Meet Miss Rush

Greetings and welcome to my blog!  For you new readers (current parents and students of mine), I thought I would introduce myself!

I'm Miss Rush...

This is my 8th (ahh, can't believe it!) year teaching Social Studies at LRHS!

I graduated from the University of Maine with a bachelor's  degree in Secondary Education, concentration in Social Studies:

 I've also earned a master's degree in Education from the University of New England.  This was a challenge since I was still teaching full time while earning this degree!  I definitely know this degree helped me become a better teacher, however!

I'm the co-advisor for the Class of 2012, which is a lot of work but very rewarding:

When I'm not teaching, you will most likely find me with a camera in hand or in my craft room!

I am also really passionate about traveling and have been lucky enough to go to Europe 4 times (so far!),  two times as leader of student trips from LRHS to Italy/Greece and the

British Isles:

Thanks for stopping by!