#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.
Welcome! Tonight’s Share-A-Palooza chat begins in a few minutes. Introduce yourself: name, grade, subject, location. Don’t forget to add #sschat to your tweets.
Matt social studies teacher from Pennsylvania teaching 9th-12th graders, Civics and Government, Foundations of Citizenship, and Leadership Seminar. Looking forward to learning with you all today! #sschat
A1: This year, to introduce standard of living and sustainable development, I made a "dystopian" future. Alarms were blaring, medical masks on, caution tape on the door, it was awesome! #sschat
A1: Song, I love signing in the classroom! I also like bell ringer topics that get students laughing, however sometimes you need to use a powerful video clip or document to get the wheels turning. Amistad for the slave trade, Columbus passages for exploration #sschat
A1: Teaching the Articles of Confederation can be difficult... so I use an activity I found that uses blocks. Even my juniors love it! https://t.co/t8rSRst1gC#sschat
A1 There is no better hook for engaging students than by letting students have as much choice as possible in the content and topics of the class #sschat
A1: Teaching the Articles of Confederation can be difficult... so I use an activity I found that uses blocks. Even my juniors love it! https://t.co/t8rSRst1gC#sschat
A1: I like asking the question, in what ways have slavery & segregation ended, persisted, or evolved? I think it really forces students to think deeper about continuity and change. #sschat
To intro Declaration of Independence I played Taylor Swift’s we are never getting back together and discussed what makes a good break up letter #sschat
A1 I've been all about games to get them hooked in! I'm a big fan of Quizizz and Nearpod. Love using Nearpod to get the kids seeing the world (I teach geography) #sschat
I added an option where they could buy blocks from me using money that I printed (replicas of the originals from each state). States with higher populations were given more blocks AND more money. #sschat
I told knock knock jokes for A of C: Knock Knock......who's there.... Supreme Court under the A of C... ...S.C. under A of C who.....There was no Supreme Court...get it? Dumb - but they don't forget. #sschat
A1 Introducing new school "rules" when setting up the reformation. Each discipline referral has a monetary fee attached to it. Kids get to write their argument for/against, and present to the class. #sschat
A1: To introduce economics, we did an awesome trade scenario that encompasses a lot of what we will be discussing (economic systems, distribution of resources, etc.) #sschat
A1b: Also, when learning economic systems, I love "hooking" students by letting them play Monopoly, decipher the economic rules, & then re-create the game as socialist. Gets them interested & results in lots of talking points for a nuanced dialogue. #sschat
Cool!
I've used the Buttler Battle Book by Dr Seuss to start a discussion of the Cold War (particularly the military build-up). I also use this to explain why you should eat your toast butter side down #sschat
I give out a new grading policy on school letterhead - totally based on communism. I wait until the protests begin and the petition begins to circulate.... #sschat I answer all questions and keep up the farce for most of the period - they never trust me again - mwa ha ha
A1 Cont: My fellow department member and I also are known for dressing in costume to help teach lessons. I also like using children's literature in the classroom. #sschat
I teach 8th-grade world history on the Outer Banks of NC. I love teaching MS. Just trying to not be negative as the state of NC said they wouldn’t compensate me for my Ph.D. since it’s not in teacher ed (it’s history). #sschat
A1 Archeological Dig w/ items from a purse & have Ss write down their perceptions of person, using purse items as evidence. Would use it at beginning of WH to introduce perspectives & subjectivity of "facts" #sschat
I use Yertle the Turtle before I talk about oppressive governments in my Civics class. Students then research governments and decide if they have truly violated the rights of the people. Ss made a website this year. #sschathttps://t.co/I5mOuJnKC7
I like to do this as a get-to-know-the-teacher activity. Choose three items in my room and then tell me what kind of person I am, using evidence from what they see. Then we talk about how historians/archaeologists piece together the past. #sschat
A2: the good ol' Sullivan Ballou letter [https://t.co/CDFjnMGQV1] lets you know which students have a soul and which are.... well, not quite human #sschat
A2) Love using excerpts from The Prince (Machiavelli). Had S apply ideas to Lenin the second year I had her for world history - while I was getting observed. #soproud#sschat
A2: Only one? That is tough. Passages from Night to teach the Holocaust, artifacts to teach the Civil War, personal testimony (interviews) to teach WWII and Vietnam, so many more! #sschat
A2 Favorite primary source to use with kids are interviews with their family members. Most important reason why is that I find it adds to and emboldens their personal relationships. #sschat
A2 Declaration of Independence. There’s so much you can do with it to@make it engaging. I have had my students write their own to the school and give it to the principal to start conversations #sschat
A2 I love giving out this petition to keep the Atlantic slave trade going - written from Sharks! I ha d hem a copy with the word sharks left with a blank and ask the students to figure it out - really good for textual evidence and fun. #sschathttps://t.co/Bac8G1eGyb
I loved using pictures especially old newspaper headlines and old advertisements to teach about how sensationalism and bias can be used to shape public opinion re: social problems #sschat
A2 - We cover oral history in West Africa during the fall semester and get to read/listen to "The Epic of Old Mali." Magic, battles, intrigue...what else could you want? #sschat
A2 another personal favorite PS is this 1772 will that I discovered and transcribed last summer from local archives: https://t.co/CiVChnzH1F -- the wife & daughter actually need legal permission to use stairs, doors, and the well! #sschat
Picture books aren't just for elementary! Middle & high school students love them & they're a great way to craft narratives whether fiction like Yertle the Turtle or non-fiction like Separate Is Never Equal: Sylvia Mendez and Her Familys Fight for Desegregation. #sschat
I use Yertle the Turtle before I talk about oppressive governments in my Civics class. Students then research governments and decide if they have truly violated the rights of the people. Ss made a website this year. #sschathttps://t.co/I5mOuJnKC7
A2: I loved using pictures especially old newspaper headlines and old advertisements to teach about how sensationalism and bias can be used to shape public opinion re: social problems #sschat
A2 Also - Beethoven’s suicide note. So powerful for teens - depression and obstacles no reason to give up and commit suicide - we all have so much more to offer to the world. Really makes him human #sschathttps://t.co/0mmlXGB05i
I like to do this as a get-to-know-the-teacher activity. Choose three items in my room and then tell me what kind of person I am, using evidence from what they see. Then we talk about how historians/archaeologists piece together the past. #sschat
I have a whole presentation of just Seuss cartoons from WWII -- I'm sure you've seen them. You're right - kids are amazed how political he was #sschat.
A2 I also like using quotes from philosophers/leaders to start, organize and end discussions. Lincoln's famous "Right make Might" is a classic. #sschat
A2B Also love old maps to have Ss use to analyze historical perspectives during a period & how change w/ newer maps. 1 of fave is Juan de La Cosa Map (1st verified map w/ Americas) #sschat
A2: I love using the Declaration of Sentiments because it's such a powerful vision for women's equality... but then asking students which women's lives are included? @ZinnEdProject has a great lesson w/ primary docs: https://t.co/NOmraFlT0l#sschat
I'm not surprised about cryptocat mining or whatever but I'm really surprised nobody's gone in for cryptotulips yet
C'mon let's see a little wink sometimes people
That is the page of de las Casas' notes that describe what he saw in the copy of Columbus' journal on the sighting of land on the early morning of Oct 12, 1492. It is the only PS we have from that event. #sschat
A2: art! Many of my struggling students connect with visuals in an entirely new way #sschat Jacob Lawrence’s migration series is a favorite https://t.co/5BwKIvCVF4
An activity that I learned from @WhiteHouseHstry over the summer includes giving students a primary source on a posterboard and having them comment/hashtag/ask questions on the poster. Really gets curiosity going. #sschat
Q3: Bragging Time! Tell us all about an “AHA! moment”, a lesson that went much better than expected, or another successful teaching experience this year. #sschat
A2: An activity that I learned from @WhiteHouseHstry over the summer includes giving students a primary source on a posterboard and having them comment/hashtag/ask questions on the poster. Really gets curiosity going. #sschat
I have a whole presentation of just Seuss cartoons from WWII -- I'm sure you've seen them. You're right - kids are amazed how political he was #sschat.
I love A Workingman's Companion - Results of Machinery, namely Cheap Production and Increased Employment (https://t.co/meaub49Zs4).
It is a great and fun read to discuss the concepts of capitalism. #sschat
Boss Tweed to staff re: critical cartoons by Thomas Nast: " “Let's stop them damned pictures. I don't care so much what the papers write about—my constituents can't read—but damn it, they can see pictures.” #sschat
Images are great - allow Ss to use imagination/creativity to describe what they see. More so than a written document...esp Civil Rights era pics #sschat
A2 Writing a new course this year for Geography, so still working my way through things. Thanks for the reminders to think beyond just words for primary sources! Inspired to look for more now! #sschat
Q3: Bragging Time! Tell us all about an “AHA! moment”, a lesson that went much better than expected, or another successful teaching experience this year. #sschat
A3: Not so much an "AHA! moment" but truly bringing gamified elements can have a lot of benefits. Had students play Heads Up (or Headbandz) to review vocabulary. Helped tremendously! #sschat
A3: Doing a lot of PBL this year - Aha's: letting students free with their creativity and choosing how they want to showcase their learning. I've had some AWESOME videos and an epic rap battle betw. the House and Senate. #sschat
Ahhh! We are already on question 3 and I’m still working on question 1, it’s almost ready I promise! Been reading your tweets and trying to write mine! Too much good stuff!!! #sschat
I made a quick rubric, but I usually leave a lot of the directions pretty open. Had to include up to grandparents, family stories, artifacts of importance, etc. #sschat
A3: I had my students make Pop! and action figures on note able people in history (the Henry VII set was GREAT) I had APHG make video casts on the five major world religions, exceptional, and my APUSH students had a socratic circle featuring antebellum reformers! #sschat
A2 This was inspired by @classroomtools just now (see his response on this Q if you havent!) I’d say this could work along similar lines. If Ss have not seen it yet, now is a good time to show it to them #primarysource#sschat
A3: I’m currently doing a shark tank project with my civics class to teach the business cycle and microeconomics and my students are super into it #sschat
A3 -- kinda mundane, but when an 8th grader finally takes good notes, actually prepares, then ROCKS it on an assessment, and proudly says "I'm a beast!"...you feel like you're doing something right #sschat
I've had students create superheroes and villains based on physical landforms and climate zones. Showed me misconceptions and other great connections #sschat
I'll pull some formal stuff for you in a couple of days and get back to you. It is PERFECT for geography classes to deepen conversations about migration. #sschat
Q3: Tried my first BreakoutEDU a few weeks ago went great. I have to say thank you to @MrRoughton for his Washingtons Spies lesson.this guy has great Free resources #sschat
A3 - I have my students currently modernizing the Mona Lisa through photoshop or drawing. Loving the results! Had a kid put her in a Starbucks, someone else gave her blue hair! Helped kids think about how women are presented! #sschat
A3: I used Dr. Suess’ Butter Battle Book to teach the Cold War. It was a perfect analogy to help students understand the tension, rivalry and dangers of the political conflict between the U.S. and the U.S.S.R. #sschat
Q3: Bragging Time! Tell us all about an “AHA! moment”, a lesson that went much better than expected, or another successful teaching experience this year. #sschat
A3: At rec of #sschat & #WorldGeoChat folks, integrated Planet Money's t-shirt project into my methods class, asked Ss to find history, geography, econ, & civics of a t-shirt, & then create a curriculum around their own item. Went well. #sschathttps://t.co/YuZr3UlUEw
A3 #SharkTankMedievalChina is hands-down my favorite unit from this year. Students learned so much about history, collaboration, and work ethic and we all had fun! #sschat
A3) I emphasize questioning in my online world history course. Have had several Ss say how much this has helped them appreciate studying history more - and that they are asking more ?s in general. #sschat
I just used this source in a lesson I got from @SHEG_Stanford It was good to teach perspective as well - everyone is the hero in their own story. #sschat
Q3: Bragging Time! Tell us all about an “AHA! moment”, a lesson that went much better than expected, or another successful teaching experience this year. #sschat
A3: Ss were struggling to get environmental impactout the . I pulled out Google Expeditions and we "went" to Ethiopia. S <3 looking around and were able to really start applying what we had studied to what they saw. #sschat
A3: I did a book club project with a ninth grade World History class--students read different books about WWII and met weekly in their "book clubs" to discuss them. They created museum floorplans based on their bks as a final project. #sschat
A3 A-Ha moments have come from using student reflection in an effort to improve my instruction. Helps me learn which Ss have good work habits& a process. https://t.co/qaixpS4iY9#sschat
A4: If you teach 17th, 18th, 19th century America, then you MUST browse the J.A. Townsends channel on Youtube: https://t.co/34Tq3QH91I for cooking, medicine, & much more #sschat
A4 when assigning the research paper - students choose their own topic. I have them get parental input and comments. The amazing family primary resources they come in blow my mind! Love seeing interviews w/families as well #sschat
I think you can find inspiration in things you are interested in. For awhile, I found myself bringing improv games into lessons and activities. #sschat
this is my 1st time teaching GPS & using Choices but it seems extremely well organized. We're right in the middle - presenting after winter break. At this point I plan to expand & use more #sschat
A4: I'll sing the praises of Nearpod and Google maps here! Love getting the kids to see what the world looks like - helps them get beyond our little corner of things in PA! #sschat
Not familiar with that--will need to check it out! Some of my students have used the #Smithsonian Learning Lab for research projects this year and the resources on there are amazing! #sschat
A2 I use this great source called “the Leechbook” for teaching about cultural blending/syncretism. It’s a 9th C anglo Saxon recipe book w/herbal remedies and Christian rituals blended together. Students find weirdly fascinating. #sschat
A3 (Braggy) I've put in a lot of research on using Swahili to bring East Africa into World History. This lesson is starting to click after the third go round
#sschathttps://t.co/7uk8iR9rYl
#sschat Learned this one from my twitter PLN and boy has it worked - the March Maddness Bracket Debate - my gov’t classes just finished evaluating modern presidency in terms how well each played media, agenda, & coalition games!
A4 The Words We Live By by @LindaRMonkJD is a wonderfully accessible textbook to learn about the Constitution and its relevance today. I've used it for 10 years with AP government and regular level https://t.co/pwDIpkcU1y#sschat
I’m always surprised that students didn’t think they could use family history as they “aren’t important enough” - we need to move beyond the “great men” of History nonsense #sschat
A3 (Braggy) I've put in a lot of research on using Swahili to bring East Africa into World History. This lesson is starting to click after the third go round
#sschathttps://t.co/7uk8iR9rYl
Just submitted my presentation for #MSCSS18#sstlap#sschat A colleague and I want to showcase our work around primary sources / @FulbrightPrgrm experience
Maybe you also want to try your session out in front of a smaller crowd first? Submit your session proposal by Dec 18th for the #MSCSS18 conference which will be in Tyson’s Corner, VA on March 2-3, 2018 https://t.co/OJOEDP4kxS
I’m always surprised that students didn’t think they could use family history as they “aren’t important enough” - we need to move beyond the “great men” of History nonsense #sschat
I'm in Tennessee and grew up in Appalachia, so I always try to show how oral history has shaped the culture of that region. We all have a story to tell! #sschat
Q5: What is your favorite ed tech tool that you and/or your students use to take their learning deeper and/or to collaborate and share with others? #sschat
I'm just getting started!
Even if not many people look at it, my blog is a great resource for me. Both to clarify my thinking and have access to things I've made.
#sschat
Yes we are, and yes we should, but economic reality & practical decisions about how-we-use-our-time seem to, ahem, trump those altruistic motives #sschat
I share too much sometimes on my blog and twitter - lol. Why pay for milk when you have the cow, or something like that... oh well - sharing is caring, even if it doesn’t pay well. #sschat
Q5: What is your favorite ed tech tool that you and/or your students use to take their learning deeper and/or to collaborate and share with others? #sschat
A4B C-span Deliberations are FANTASTIC. They have compiled videos and articles on controversial topics. Just did one on federalism issues as they relate to Sanctuary Cities. https://t.co/PRfoGhFXYD#sschat
A5: I know a lot of people are using this, so you probably already know about it, but @Flipgrid is a great tool for getting Ss to share conclusions w/one another!
#sschat
A5 we have used Padlet to share images and songs with students in other countries about “the American Dream” @Pixton to collaboratively make comics with students in other countries, and, of course, google docs and Skype #sschat
A5: My Ss create websites, but I want to take their learning farther. @Flipgrid is pretty popular, and I think that would be a great way for Ss to engage in sharing their ideas! @GoogleForEdu also provides many opportunities for collaboration. #sschat
Q5: What is your favorite ed tech tool that you and/or your students use to take their learning deeper and/or to collaborate and share with others? #sschat
A5: Nothing new or complicated here, but just having Google Earth up & ready is a game changer when discussing the world. Uploading Google MyMaps into Google Earth is even better. #sschat
A5: any of @SutoriApp addicts out there? I love that you can use it to aggregate text, videos, images, etc. + add check for understanding questions. My students starting making their own today and it’s been really easy! #sschat
A5 Love using @nearpod for 100% student participation if every student is connected to a device. Holds students accountable to teacher while keeping them anonymous to peers. #sschat
This is for an earlier question - but here are a few examples of lessons that did much took off - Historical Investigations! https://t.co/x7ScO8lF4R#sschat
Unpopular opinion, but I limit tech in class. No devices unless built in to my lesson plan & even then highly structured with much supervision. #sschat
Good point. What do you think about offering options? Personal, family, or community histories? I often let students choose, but we discuss those privileges in history. #sschat
In reply to
@elizberg2010, @historycomics, @MsHolmesTeach, @MrsDevlinSS
Q5: What is your favorite ed tech tool that you and/or your students use to take their learning deeper and/or to collaborate and share with others? #sschat
THREAD: Hook for teaching women's rights and voting rights
Step 1 - Class votes on a new cell phone policy. Students write votes on paper.
Step 2 - Collect votes
Step 3 - Say you are going to tally the votes. Set garbage can on desk
Step 4 - Throw away the girl's votes
#sschat
Everyone will freak out. Nobody can can believe you did what you did. The girls will justifiably yell at you. Some of them instinctively stand up and clench their fists.
At this moment I am so proud of them.
#sschat
Pause for dramatic effective and say, oh well most women couldn't vote in the US until the 19th amendment in 1920. So none of your votes will be counted.
They are still upset at this point, but they are curious.
#sschat
Then look the boys straight in the eye and throw their votes away too. They will also get upset. The emotion is real. Say something like, "well most men could not vote in colonial America because you had to own property. None of you own property right?"
#sschat
End on this: People literally died for your right to vote. Voting is power in a democracy, it is one of the most important rights we have as Americans. We will be learning the history of voting, your right to vote, and how you can exercise your right.
#sschat
You can also ask them how it felt to have their vote not count and be thrown away.
If done right it can be a great experience for your students and can get them incredibly emotionally invested in learning about voting.
#sschat#voting#civics#democracy
A5: Hard to pick one. So I’ll say whatever is particularly best for that student. I love to offer variety so I’m rarely only using one form of tech when I’m bringing it into the classroom. #sschat@ERobbPrincipal@KGT_Educator@gett_marissa
Q6: What strategies help you & your students to return AFTER a long vacation? Any special review activities, games, readings, or other plans for re-entry? #sschat#AskingForAFriend
THREAD: Hook for teaching women's rights and voting rights
Step 1 - Class votes on a new cell phone policy. Students write votes on paper.
Step 2 - Collect votes
Step 3 - Say you are going to tally the votes. Set garbage can on desk
Step 4 - Throw away the girl's votes
#sschat
The Boston U African resource center site is my first stop for Africa. Can take persistence to navigate, but lots of resources
https://t.co/fgNH4qSYJL#sschat
We do offer options. Family is often who we make it. Doesn't have to be biological, but often is the community that surround us. We relate it to "it takes a village to raise a child" as well as lead to a larger discussion on how we get history. #sschat
In reply to
@dankrutka, @elizberg2010, @historycomics, @MrsDevlinSS
I made a game that is like Apples to Apples and Rummy that focuses in on making (and building onto) audible connections to important vocabulary. That has often been fun. #sschat
A6: I try to start it back with some sort of learning that can take place in groups so they can have time to talk to others (even if some of it is comparing what you or gizmo they got over break). #sschat
A6 I often began classes with a discussion of "History in the News". After a vacation, we would begin by identifying what History they had seen in the news during our time off. #sschat
A5: I really love #gsuiteedu for all things collaboration. I have created a team drive for my dept. I have students share essays via google docs to peer edit. Non google planboard, and Padlet are great #sschat
Today our students @CrescentCowboys are using #socialmedia as a tool for change. They designed campaigns to raise awareness around local/global issues they are passionate about and are feeling empowered to make a difference.
#sschat#edchat#BeTheChange@bucketstep
Wait, seriously? Let's just reproduce outrage in the classroom and allow the boys to laugh while girls have to fight (again!) for their rights? #sschat
Q6: What strategies help you & your students to return AFTER a long vacation? Any special review activities, games, readings, or other plans for re-entry? #sschat#AskingForAFriend
Love that! Had Ss do something similar with Congress of Vienna. It was awesome to hear them apply what they learned from that simulation to other situations like Paris Peace Conf after WWI. #sschat
Q6: What strategies help you & your students to return AFTER a long vacation? Any special review activities, games, readings, or other plans for re-entry? #sschat#AskingForAFriend
A1 https://t.co/4dliBm3rwA#sschat
I've used this video chapter to open a westward expansion unit with the over arching question of "how did it get to this point"?
A6: group analysis of a painting/doc to refresh the brain and then have them refresh my brain. I often times play forgetful so my students have to remind or correct me which helps them #sschat
Q6 it’s not very original but nothing wakes everyone up like a good kahoot. I’ll throw fun vacation questions in there and silly polls with actual content and current events refreshers #sschat
@Ella_B as an #sschat moderator, I must say your tone is quite harsh on this fellow participant. We are all sharing ideas of lessons, which requires some courage & trust that the audience will not accuse teachers of 'torture'
In reply to
@elizberg2010, @Mrneilhistory, @Ella_B
Please read research on Brown Eye Blue Eye. It’s wildly popular but volatile. Some teachers love it...and many institutional review boards don’t certify it.
First rule of teaching: do no harm.
#sschat
Like Brown Eye Blue Eye. wildly popular but certainly volatile and perhaps immoral. Some teachers love it...and many institutional review boards don’t certify it. First rule of teaching: do no harm.
#sschat
A6 share research - students like to have a session of refreshing in their research papers - don’t want a day of games, etc. a good time to share and reset #sschat
I believe that this teaches a historical lesson, which is the point. History (and the present) have not been fair to people. It's worth taking a few minutes to show this to students who may not otherwise notice this harsh reality. #sschat
