#sschat Archive
#sschat is a network of educators, resources, and ideas that started on Twitter, but has expanded to Facebook, an annual NCSS unconference, and more. Join us to chat asynchronously on Twitter or Facebook, or chat with us live on Mondays from 7-8pm EST.
Monday October 10, 2016
Zach, T from Michigan. Civil War has to be my favorite content area
Hi , this is Bill Chapman, a retired secondary social studies teacher, checking in from Berkeley, CA. If I have to choose, US History
Hi there...Wayne Journell from North Carolina...here with my middle grades methods students
Zack from Grove City College, I am currently a student here and am studying middle level math/history
Hi! I'm Michael from MA & one of the mods. I quite enjoy the French Revolution and early US.
But I get excited about much.
Hello, my name is Megan Johnson from NC. Joining the chat with my social studies methods class.
I am Meryl van der Merwe from Knoxville TN and I love teaching history to middle schoolers
Confesssion: I'm not T. Work for WeVideo which we find a lot of SS Ts use. Trying to learn a bit more. Ok if I participate?
Hi , I am Kellyann Cooper from NC. I am joining the chat with my social studies methods class!
Within US History, I most like to teach about the growing influence of propaganda in business & politics from 1900 onwards.
Doug from WP in WC IL. I teach 9G Geography and am proud to say I'm a all star teacher.
Hi I am Nathan From Grove City College studying prek-4 elementary education.
Welcome Good to see you here! Why Civil War?
Emily F from South Carolina, favorite area is Medieval history
Hello! I'm Corey. I teach 7th grade Social Studies in North Carolina. I'm currently in class at UNC-Greensboro
Hello! I'm Corey. I teach 7th grade Social Studies in North Carolina. I'm currently in class at UNC-Greensboro
Oh yes, like I am a all star teacher - I use that with my high schoolers
Chris from Bloomington, IN. Teach world history for private online HS. I'm also one of the mods. Love teaching Fr Rev & imperialism.
Mallory Mullen, I'm going to school in Clemson, SC. Reconstruction is my favorite content area.
Cool to see so many future teachers
I too love the French Rev! I just wish I could get mired in all the details.
Nothing better than pre-service teachers Welcome - hope you find a good learning home with !
Hello there! I am Caitlin Brown and I am a pre-service teacher at VA Tech! My favorite content is VA/US history!
Philip from Clemson, favorite content area is 20th century US history
I really love breaking out my guillotine cartoons. :)
Cool have used WeVideo with our Gear Up students in the past. Not a bad web based video editor at all.
Eric US History & Social Justice T in NJ waiting for church dinner to start so hoping in & out
is strong with us tonight
Share share share!! (Imagine that I'm clapping as saying this. I'm not but in my mind I could be).
Katherine from South Carolina. World History, specifically Africa and Eastern Europe is my preferred content
I'm guessing you'd have fun with a model that squirted fake blood.
- happy to be here for this chat - I'm Jenny Rankin from California & I love writing
Made it! HS teacher from Mass, fav topics are: New Deal, Civil Rights, 1989
Ha ha ha! That sounds messy and I'm not into that. Ask my kids.
Eric from Cold War is my favorite unit! Looking forward to hosting and learning a lot in next hour!
WWII buff, here but also fascinated by world history from the macro view.
Do you sing, "We're getting a new deal for Christmas this year!"
Like in Annie.
Kayla Brunelle at Clemson University, student teacher, and I enjoy the New Deal and Cold War units
My favorite content area is by far WW2. I wrote a 60 page paper in college about Nazi propaganda b4/during Ww2.
Hello family! Mark from St. Paul, MN. 6th gr & 7th gr American Studies. . I Love ,
No, but good idea! We do have New Deal March Madness, and it's pretty cool!
First question coming up soon! Don't forget to use and A1 to respond to Q1... See https://t.co/qYX9tDJPmb for upcoming questions!
Looking forward to hosting at 6pm central tonight to learn new ways to engage students in existing content! https://t.co/Bkl12ucp2K
Chris from Illinois. Favorite world geo units - overpopulation in Asia and finding the positive in Africa
Stopped @ local comic shop today & talked w/ guy working. He met when here for talk last year.
Gay 90s to WWI - my favorite era.
Q1: What is your most successful example of a new way to engage students in existing content?
I grew up on WWII Historical Fiction.
How do you know I dress up? Does the in my bio give it away https://t.co/B2GdGKLdlj
You should dress up like a Vegas dealer for the New Deal.
A1 Turn it into a form of inquiry...that is broad, but it can be applied to most topics/concepts
A1) Really like for sharing video. Can build in questions, info for context, etc. Ss can leave comments.
Been to a lot of these edchats recently. Getting to know our k12 audience. This one busiest by far.
A1.In my classroom where I am interning, one of the things that the students are most engaged with is the Parody Project we assigned
Had a lot of success with books. Combined with paper we do amazing new thigns everyday
A1 Just finished up using 's WW1 online simulation - kids LOVED it
A1: we are learning about making episodic learning experiences in class. I would love to walk into a class dressed in knights armor.
A1 Live from the front lines of allows Ss to use modern methods of communications. 'What if the Civil War was tweeted?"
Welcome ! What's your favorite?
I used to make a lot of game based simulations (like for sharecropping) to get at structural inequalities
A1: Am I allowed to say to engage my Ss in current events.
A1: Take something boring learning about people of the revolution, & throw in some sass, speed dating & pow you have a winner.
A1 Any time I can use a picture to show something, it always gets Ss talking!
A1 cont. Using tech in the class inspires students. We use green screen tech for front line updates too. Connect part 2 modern.
A1: Social media projects! Creating a Twitter for a historical figure, making a snapchat story of a certain historical event, etc.
A1) political cartoons always work
Ken from Western Oregon Univ. Just arriving
I use it for my blended class - it's a good way to make sure they watch they video!
A1) Also have found simulations a great way to get Ss engaged & enthusiastic about certain content.
A1: I would say getting them involved through skits or group projects is a great way to engage students in the content.
Trcik question.Books are made from paper? Historical Fiction...I know it Kitschy and Americana but any Herman Wouk
A1: Supplement existing content/curriculum (don’t just use what’s handed to you) & craft lessons each student has way to connect to
A1: Inquiry, giving students a choice, socratic seminars, and found poetry are the methods we're encouraged to use
A1: Especially when the content is somewhat boring!!
A1: I'm only in year 2 of my content area, so I'm still learning...I've used music and comparisons to their lives!
A1 E.g. “Only 44% of...social studies teachers found their digital instructional resources to be sufficient” https://t.co/leZn40nzS3
A1: create an anchor chart to stimulate prior knowledge
. What is the Parody Project?
PS: sorry I'm late...caught up in Indians baseball! Go Tribe!
A1 using social media to apply course concepts in authentic learning atmosphere
I love taking documentary poetry like Tretheway and have students write and perform their own: https://t.co/lKPOTFxeOo
Yes - tapping prior knowledge is so important!
A1: I think using social media or technology is a great way to engage students!
Students have to pick a topic from US history and write their own parody that is historically accurate with research
A1 cont. I challenge students to put historic documents (like emancipation Proclamation) into current 7th grade language.
A1: Failed getting students to write current events summaries, but got MUCH better results after redesigning as "White House Briefs"
have you put other historical figures on trial? And how do you structure that?
A1: Have students draw their own coat of arms.
Totally stealing this idea!!! https://t.co/DSnW4g4eO1
Students have to pick a topic from US history and write their own parody that is historically accurate with research
we will corner him at NCSS! Group pic!
A1 cont. is tremendous way to engage students. in topics, presentation, etc.
Sweet! https://t.co/sPQQuXNBo1
Students have to pick a topic from US history and write their own parody that is historically accurate with research
A1 For Cold War last year we played an elaborate capture the flag game - MI6 vs KGB
A1 also, anything pop culture - movie trailer, reality show, final four ... they dig it
Currently as a review, students are drafting (will act out) a dialogue between Enlightenment philosophers & rulers from the time.
Interesting Tell us more!
They had this activity 8 days ago at Bower's Museum in Santa Ana & the kids (incl. our Mensa Youth Group) loved it!
I used to take students to the football field and run the Greek phalanx & other military formations when teaching World History
They LOVE it! Each table represents a different defendant/witness, team and then one is court crew.
trial is over on Monday... the students who chose to be him are sweating it
I really like this idea. What social media platforms are you using and how do you structure this?
Q2: What is something outside school you're inspired by and incorporated into your curriculum?
. I wasn't aware you redesigned them. Do share!
You can remix a fake facebook (and learn html/css) about historical figures: https://t.co/Atc4DFYsRQ (I need to update the project)
Awesome Any video of this?
A2 honoring military service - fits perfectly w/ our AmStudies curr, and as reflection for conflict (Design WWI Legacy projects)
going for the first time this year twisted my arm!
A3 having comic authors chat and answer student questions
Have used blogs & Skype. Been fortunate to have intercultural ties in which have had geo Ss apply concepts in convos
Will be awesome to meet you, Tim!
A1: allowing students to work with primary sources and stepping away from the textbook. Student-led inquiry!
If you are referring to CTF - no I didnt think of it - will maybe do next semester again and video
there are a few that I've prepared or had wisdom of 2create, but also fun when Ss make connections.
some cool comparisons to him and Hitler - the Corsican Ogre and such
A2 I am a political junkie; would send letters to all of our representatives from Pres on down to state legislators (1/2)
Q2: Sports is a great way to connect with students, but also to find what their interests are and incorporate them into the lesson.
A2: I drew inspiration from listening to the kids & hearing what they were into (e.g. artists, trends, etc.) to relate to lessons
Last year after supe rbowl we used the reaction of Beyonce Formation to learn the history of civil rights and New Haven
A2) Have found that Ss react really well to music that connects with content.
A2: I've been using games lately, but music, pop culture, and sports have been big resources! Use what Ss know!
A1 For "Roaring 20s" I/unsinkable Molly Brown hosted party for celebrities of the day, Ss picked from hat, researched, dressed up
A2: social and political issues; social & economic equality and worldly perspectives.
A2 I am inspired by leadership. We can study success of leaders in history and learn to incorporate it our lives.
I love it! Good for all ages!
A2 - Aid to 3rd world countries - in Geog we looked at what worked and what didnt
I'm going for 1st time as well (lurking in tonight's chat). Just looked at sessions- so excited!
turn that into a speakeasy!
In my time teaching HS, had one U.S. senator, three U.S. Reps, VA supreme court justice, maj leader of VA House of Delegates visit
Q2. I absolutely love music so using music. For example, "Song of the South" to teach about the Great Depression and New Deal
And this build into our students an appreciation for what our military does (and did) for this country each and every day
I do improv which has made it's way into some activities that my students do.
I also like using different rebel/freedom songs from historical conflicts and peoples from around the world.
A2 in univ pedagogy have been bringing graphic novels & music (much thanks to !) into class to teach social studies
A2: fantasy sports bridges engagement gap between content and events. We started to do the same for data that matters
A2 has been inspired by 3D printers & had students recreate ships & more for battle of Ft. Sumter reenactment!
yes! This! Great way to engage - we also discussed the same bringing pop culture in as a hook
Awesome!! I hope our paths will cross. We usually have a gathering as welll as unconference.
In a perfect world school itself would be a model of civic engagement and self governance. Teach the way the world should be
just started that this year - love having my classroom jamming! They listen to lyrics and make the history connection.
Any good ideas on a government unit on federalism?
Absolutely, Zack - if the Ss don't take the appreciation with them, I messed up
Or review to the people we have learned about create a double elimination bracket and studnets have to determine who wins, & why
and annotating Hip Hop is awesome as a view into societal issues
A2: Music and pop culture! It is an awesome opportunity for teachers to meet students where they are.
We also need to reestablish lineages of authors and readers. Check out 's work in this area
An in class debate between the Federalists and Anti-Federalists.
When it comes to politics, says kids are concerned with “what’s the fair, just, and right thing to happen.”
Every single person in this chat should research this platform and most definitely use it! https://t.co/MMHRemflVs
A2: fantasy sports bridges engagement gap between content and events. We started to do the same for data that matters
A2 bringing music into the class is always great. Whether period music, or current talking about past
Like if your talking about the civil war, for example, you could talk about how soldiers
Ss have just been introduced to the original Oregon Trail...introducing our pioneer school field trip well!
I have mine take selfies of them with the principles of the Constitution around them today.
loved playing baseball and other sports to pass the time
A2: Music is great! One of my favorite college professors always open class with a song and its connection to the lesson.
And 's Election Challenge is great for Government - kids get to predict what way states will vote
I am at the Cambrian - I think. Will have to look
Oooh thanks - hadnt seen that!
and you can never go wrong with Hamilton for Revolutionary War...but that's a whole other topic!
I will be there too. Can't wait!
Q3: How do you use social media/new technologies to help students find RELEVANCE in existing content?
sometimes play a song and don't explain connection, do the lesson, play again, then ask for the connection!
A3) Have Twitter feed embedded on course homepage where I share resources related to our course & current events.
A2: incorporating social media/sports "hot topics" into the classroom. Bringing pop culture references & social media into learning
A3 watching live - scary, but important lesson on media bias. Following authors too
A3 Have used blogs & videoconferencing in classroom to teach course concepts for HS Ss & teacher ed pedagogy courses
Well, I liked telling Ss our party was alcohol free because of Prohibition! Just dancing, card games, convo in character
We're cooking up another episode this week! Talking Social Studies talks teaching the 2016 Election. Stay tuned 4 link!
A3 Videoconferencing to build cultural diversity
A3. Well with the parody project I mention earlier we are using youtube. We are also using CNN News, BBC, and blogs in the classroom
A3: virtual field trips! Take Ss where you never thought you could! Find apps that challenge their understanding of a new topic!
We read parody, and Ss have analyzed, never tried having them create, but think it's brilliant!
I do this for finals review - who is most influential person in history? Marx often wins - discussions intense
A1) I used a national treasure scavenger hunt in the building to bring the Constitution to life for my students
A3 In Geography the students were matched with students in Australia as penpals
A3: I have my own class webpage, use the "remind app," and incorporate digital interactive notebooks.
But weren't Speakeasies designed specifically to get around prohibition's alcohol ban?
I have enjoyed making 'choose-your-own-adventure' style presentations, where students play with the past.
https://t.co/jwfn6cDBAd
A3 Google Streetview is fantastic for Geography - students can actually visit the places
A3) Ss use commenting in Google Docs to converse about content and source analysis interpretation. Have some great convos.
A3: have students tweet questions around ideas they want to learn more about in a unit & refer back to them as the unit progresses
Love this! How did you coordinate with global school ? https://t.co/3WOYceRDL0
A3 In Geography the students were matched with students in Australia as penpals
A3 Google Earth as context for historical topics (e.g., island hopping during WWII)
interesting! I would be curious to know how that looks!
Q3. Also, in our district they are using the new Social Studies techbook through Discovery Ed Has it problems, but the kids love it.
A3: I love using Kahoot b/c it is so easy to use in the classroom and to make one based on current content, also livens up the day.
A2) I want to encorporate more dancing and movement into my lessons. Recently I've started a music playlist for class
Found them through Global School Net
Ss voted after each round of comp, then new "teams" and activity assigned. Only pushed my top 8 through 1st round
A3 we do epitaphs on Twitter - hard to sum up life in so little characters - teachers summaries - we all get to see
A3: Help students program their social media with better content so that it can be delivered to them i.e. https://t.co/qOMizHoxyu
My daughter LOVES when her teacher has them do Kahoot. (5th grade)
A3: Student-created media such as social media accounts, videos, or even podcasts
I've seen this video!! .Smith
I've been using Discovery Ed too...has its pros and cons, Ss do like it though, so I'm going with it!
Who doesn't love a it is all kinds of fun.
A3: Any advice on how to incorporate social media and social studies into the elementary classroom for a pre-service teacher?
Nice! Is a link to this anywhere? https://t.co/thsnQcP9fJ
A2) I want to encorporate more dancing and movement into my lessons. Recently I've started a music playlist for class
Parody social media accounts like and others are great resources! Keep info relevant and historical!
Mystery Skype w/ a school or person in another region of country or world!
Could have a class Twitter account where Ss take turns updating (w/ guidance). Can connect w/ authors.
What an amazing chat! Gotta hit the road. Before I leave - check out superb podcast. Fantastic.
Have a class accounts, and assign a student to be the official "tweeter," "status updater."
Q4: What are your favorite resources for taking existing content to the next level?
I think put together a Google sheet with diff songs & relation to ss content areas.
Hysterically historical? :)
When teaching the Holocaust, I incorporate centropa
A4. I am fond of finding things that relate to their lives now so wither that CNN News, sports, music, television and/or parodies
A4) Love group annotation of texts using Google Docs. My ELA colleague is using Perusall w/ great results.
A4: Keep Bloom’s Taxonomy, Depth & Complexity, and Depth of Knowledge charts handy for reminders on how to “up” content
A3: student literacy in social media allow them to make connections to now and display their historical knowledge in new ways.
It's time to take my daughter to ballet. Thanks !
A4) It's been mentioned already tonight, but History Day contest is GREAT to get kids digging deeper
A4: I like to use to make interesting info graphics to take content to the next level. This makes use of the SAMR model.
but we need to use it make new knowledge and not just display knowledge in new ways
A3 Storify has been great tool for curating SM posts on current topics, made this last yr for https://t.co/Z54FZNPNUQ
A4: Teaching is hard. https://t.co/WgRdXHhCFp puts it in students’ sweet spot for learning and helps teachers more!
Well, class is almost over...this has been fun...will do it again!
And students could use it, too, possibly.
A4: Again, I would say doing interactive projects where students can synthesize/critically think about a certain subject.
I also like videos. When I teach about Native American boarding schools in the U.S.I want to use "Our Spirits Don't Speak English"
What's your favorite way to teach social media literacy?
I search and search and search and search. Smithsonian Mag, SHEG, Gilder Lehrman, podcasts. Lots of seeking out ideas.
A4: I vividly remember doing a mock election in 2nd grade. Filled out a ballot and physically turned in my vote.
A4) I like using NPR stories for audio. also a great resource for audio stories about current events.
A4: Things they can relate to! Some students aren't interested in historical details, but they'll pipe up about sports, TV...
Me too! Moreperfect for Government and OntheMedia have been great
You sound like my Ss last year!
My students like to learn stories about the people who lived back when - with details! I search for those.
A4: Teaching is hard. https://t.co/WgRdXHhCFp puts it in students’ sweet spot for learning and helps teachers more!
. - is my jam! A must listen for teachers and really for humans in general.
YASsssss!!! https://t.co/WxoaRVRqYv
my students are going 2 do Abe Lincoln lesson via hangouts w/one of our feeder elementary schools. Idea from
Q5 (last one): Let's Work Together! What existing unit or content area do you want to improve next?
A5: I've always struggled with world geography...just getting ready to enter into Europe and ancient civilizations.
A5: Perhaps talking about civil rights. I feel there are so many bad examples played out today in the world.
A5: In the elementary classroom history is often not emphasized much. History is my passion. How do I get it in the Elem. Class?
That's a great question. We have a chat coming up 11/7 related to social studies in the elementary classroom.
I want to cut down my WWII unit as students did it the year before, so I can move us to more modern stuff.
A3) I like to tweet organizations or historical figures that we study in class. I hope is to do this more.
This chat has been such a joy. Best of luck with all you all do to change students’ lives! :-)
continue to show your passion for it. Students will feed off of you. Teach Ss at all opportunities. They love it!
A5 Korean War can be a struggle, despite easy connection to current events
Lots of music and reading about history Do you know ?
How about teaching history backwards - from the present?
A5: In my experience, Civil Rights units are shortened to 2-3 days. This unit needs more attention, time, and depth.
A5: I overhauled my mini unit on the Renaissance to incorporate more collaboration and inquiry. It's usually my least fav unit.
Yes and yes! This should be incorporated daily with current events too https://t.co/vVixe3c2r6 might help! https://t.co/K2QHL1XVkj
A5: In my experience, Civil Rights units are shortened to 2-3 days. This unit needs more attention, time, and depth.
downloading it now!! Thanks!!
A4: My Ss have enjoyed ! I'm a big fan of stations and having students conduct mini research projects to use more inquiry.
I'm going to check it out! Awesome!
A5: wants to add scoring metrics to help students see trends and learn faster. Any ideas beyond news mentions + tone?
Oh wow! I can see by the old clock on the wall that another of our Monday night get togethers has gone by father than you can say .
If you have time, please join starting NOW!
Thanks for a stimulating and fast paced hour!
I just did too! Looks great
