Gratitude Cards

Before we left for Thanksgiving break I asked my students to write down things for which they are grateful.  Then we posted them on the bulletin board in our classroom.  Here's what they said:

 

I'd like to thank my mom, Helene, for always being so willing to help me out with all my crazy school projects including printing the gratitude cards and allowing me to make tons of color photocopies for the children's books with her awesome office photocopier and premium cardstock! 

5th Grade Field Trip

The day has finally arrived when we were able to share the American Revolution children's books with the 5th graders!!  This was the first time I did this project with my classes (I'm always trying to think of new and creative projects) and I think it went really well, overall.  The students seemed to enjoy their visits with the 5th graders and most books turned out great!  The skills the students used to complete this project were creative writing, editing/peer editing, historical research, blending history with fiction, and certainly cooperative learning because this was a group project.   Here is a video I created with pictures from the field trip...Enjoy!

We Shall Remain

This week my students will be watching Episode 2 of the PBS series We Shall Remain, which chronicles the Native American struggle to maintain their homeland amongst increasing numbers of white settlers throughout American history.  Episode 2 features the story of Shawnee warrior Tecumseh.  This is a moving and poignant documentary that tells the story of westward expansion from another point of view, that of the Native peoples.  If you'd like to watch this episode, or others, here is the link. This could make for a good discussion around the dinner table!

 Tecumseh

MCSS Conference

Today I, along with several colleagues from my department at LRHS, attended the Maine Council for the Social Studies' annual conference.

The focus of this year's conference was integrating technology in the classroom, particularly through the use of primary source documents.  I came away with a lot of great new websites, ideas, and resources to use in my curriculum.  It was also neat to see that some of the ideas presented were activities that I already use with my students.

I also won a door prize:

Yup! It's a scanner for my classroom/department...Yay!

I am already envisioning many ideas with which to utilize this machine.  Can't wait to try her out!

Virtual Visit

Just a quick little video featuring some views of our classroom while the kids were working on peer editing their children's book chapters:

I Heart Words!

Here is an excerpt from an article I found on scholastic.com about the importance of vocabulary:


Why is vocabulary s-o-o important?
Vocabulary is critical to reading success for three reasons:

1. Comprehension improves when you know what the words mean. Since comprehension is the ultimate goal of reading, you cannot overestimate the importance of vocabulary development.
2. Words are the currency of communication. A robust vocabulary improves all areas of communication — listening, speaking, reading and writing.
3. How many times have you asked your students or your own children to “use your words"? When children and adolescents improve their vocabulary, their academic and social confidence and competence improve, too.

An important role for the classroom teacher of any subject is to try and work as many rich and diverse words into daily lessons and conversations as they can.  As explained above, the more words students know, the better readers and communicators they become.  In order to help increase vocabulary, I have a 'word wall' in my classroom.  One wall is devoted to some of the most commonly used words on the SAT:

Another wall is devoted to words that we have started using throughout our units of study in US History:

I try and choose words that aren't necessarily related to content, rather they are words that help the students interpret and understand the questions and ideas that are being asked of them.  All of the words seen in the picture above have been words they've seen in their readings and on homework, quiz, and exam questions.  For example, one of the questions on their homework for tonight is to explain how the US acquired the Louisiana Purchase as well as the significance of this purchase.

Having the word wall acts as a reminder to actively seek out and use new words throughout all aspects of my curriculum.  Hopefully by doing this my students will be better equipped to understand and comprehend the items they hear and read in the world around them.

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!