#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 December 14, 2015
Ben Brazeau former Soc St now tech integrator joining the chat tonight.
Melissa a gov and econ teacher from Poughkeepsie NY
Hi . Scott Petri, checking in from cold and windy Los Angeles. Who's ready to give a huge final exam tmw?
Jennifer 6th grade teacher from NY
Hey Doug, 7th/8th grade SS, Clifton Springs, NY
Andrew, 8th grade USHist in Mass.
Jill 7-8 social studies, Kansas. Looking forward to tonight's chat
welcome to please introduce yourself and what you teach?
Ken from Western Oregon Univ.
Joanne from Missouri. 7th grade world history and 11th modern global issues
We are adopting love the multitude of tools - SOS are great ideas for all teachers. https://t.co/BYgj0EzIqA
Love how Science Techbook has these big bold misconception boxes. Wish every history textbook had it 2. https://t.co/HIt62wAddV
Chris from Bloomington, IN. Teach world history for online HS affiliated w/ Indiana Univ. One of the co-leaders. :)
Currently doing some lurking (and maybe participating) on the
Matt Doran, Columbus, OH.
Hi , this is Bill Chapman, a retired secondary social studies teacher, checking in from Berkeley, CA.
who do I follow for the questions?
follow the for the discussion
Just great. Had our video conference with Palestine today. Went well.
Nice to see you as well. Bringing a lil to
hey Melissa joining for a bit tonight. How are things in NY?
Julie, high school SS teacher from SC
They are 8 hours ahead so we did it at 8am. It was 4 pm there.
what ages in Palestine? How exciting!
I hope they go hand in hand. Hope to see cross over between and =students win.
Lisa, 6th grade geography teacher in Hershey, PA multi-tasking with tonight’s chat
I'm Tim Gray. I've taught secondary social studies for 10 years in New Palestine, IN. Go Dragons!
That is awesome. Love to hear more especially how you made connection. https://t.co/xpsCtTGw3n
Just great. Had our video conference with Palestine today. Went well.
A1 -- soc.st. can tend to be a laundry list of facts, dates, maps to color/label, names, etc (personally I loved that kind of stuff)
A1) I feel part of it is that Ss don't have their own history yet. Ps frequently reported hating SS as Ss but love it as adults.
A1: the style of teaching...lecture, worksheet, review wks, quiz over wks, test over wks, etc...
And great to have a fellow Hoosier here in . :)
A1 Research seems to show that over 90% of history instruction in the US is lecture & texbook, memorization & MC tests. Kids hate it
A1: Lots of lecturing and teacher directed lessons in my school years- no choice in anything learned or produced
A1. SS has been lecture driven with a test & punish grades. W/more S choice & focus on inquiry SS will be fun
A 1 I think social studies lends itself for borrowing lecturers and notes, which is why our kids hate it so much.
A1 Social Studies was typically taught as names and dates as a chronological story. Even to history nerds that's boring
A1 Traditional teacher centered approaches (i.e. lectures, videos) & focus on "dead white guys" rather than making relatable to Ss
aged, S's sometimes miss out on the story of history
A1: also hard to for Ss to see relevance in trivial history facts and dates often taught.
Just think of Mr Binns (the ghost professor who reads the same notes every year) from the Harry Potter series!
that's so great! What a wonderful experience for your Ss & the Ss in Palestine!
And never notices if Ss are paying attention or not.
agreed, too much of the " sage on the stage" sometimes
Someone just like him taught me 8th grade WH.
A1 no glory in memorizing people, places, & events. Cool kids know pop culture not history. We need to connect the two.
Exactly! In one book (Chamber?) he seems shocked when a student actually interrupts to ask a question!
A1: They hate traditional lectures. It would not matter what the subject area was. History often guilty of neglecting the story
A1) SS is one of the hardest topics to make "fun" and engaging and lazy Ts take lecture to an extreme vs s centered Learning
A1 Historically speaking, we used to teach memorization of names and dates and places. We forgot the "story" part.
great point ! Make I relevant
A1) And do Ss ever get a chance to connect study to their own interests and/or goals?
me too... I think ... I forgot ... (maybe that proves the point)
Doesn't research show people only retain something like 10% of info told them. Talk about wasted time thru lecturing
My 8th grade T actually sparked my desire to become a SS T. :)
A1 SS requires two skills students hate practicing most: reading & writing. You need to be very good at both.
There is a famous pyramid that shows that, but nobody can find the research on which it is supposedly based.
A1 agreed while history is about stories we don't tell them we painfully recite facts. history is abt doing https://t.co/O0n3qEP13Y
A1 Research seems to show that over 90% of history instruction in the US is lecture & texbook, memorization & MC tests. Kids hate it
Relevance seems to be the common lacking thread sometimes ... Q2 coming up
I'll have to try to find it
Read an article that said that diagram is not based on research, particularly the %. Never knew that.
right students need to be able to create - I remember doing Videos - skits - debates not the lectures or MC tests.
If you succeed, let me know where it is!
Invisible relevance and insufficient opportunity to *apply* the learning
A1: And unfortunately state assessments are traditional format giving made Ts the excuse for poor teaching methods
Yes! Ss often ask why we need to study history - do we ask them why they need to learn it?
I like how you say punish with grades- we forget it's about learning not Letters. https://t.co/animCqPIhC
A1. SS has been lecture driven with a test & punish grades. W/more S choice & focus on inquiry SS will be fun
duh, it's for a good grade! ;)
A2 I think Ss are motivated to learn period. Just need to tap into their likes and interests
A2) Science & math are more applied - Ss actually DOING math/science. SS can be as well but not as commonly done.
great point, we're doing the Bill of Rights now, one of the most empowering things I teach
good - had a great weekend and ready to see family coming up. is great just usually around dinner time. Glad I could join
A2: I think it definitely depends on the type of T. Traditional Ts in math and science can kill motivation just as easily.
A2 Yes. We have to present it in a way that accesses that motivation.
Usually soc.st. = far away and/or long ago stuff ... usually sci = right here & right now (if it's far it's awesome like a volcano)
That's it. Thank you Bill.
A2 Mine yes since they are preservice ss Ts, but in general I only see it happen when Ss have dynamic SS T who's making it relatable
Jessica Ruddy US History and AP Human from Shelbyville KY
A2 Each S is different, but how content is presented makes a huge difference. Engaging lessons get Ss excited!
A2 Isn't it our job to motivate them? Show them how Social Studies is 55% of the vocab they need in college
A2: I know it's difficult for me b/c my students have a state test on it in NC. Not so in SS.
That's right. Never underestimate the power of a s*** teacher!
A2: If subject is relevant and tasks are engaging then Ss will be motivated to learn about any subject.
A2 I don't know that Math is ahead of SS but science kids experiment and do- why don't we in social studies https://t.co/buuAf5wmvr
A2: I think students see relevance easier in math or science, our kids love the new STEM activities.
thanks! I'll read through these.
A2: My students are motivated to learn when it comes to current events. They are perceptively worried about the world
Impact on other Ts as well who pick up the slack
Agreed we all have MDD Motivational Deficit Disorder when we are not engaged in the learning process https://t.co/855trdfeVt
A2 I think Ss are motivated to learn period. Just need to tap into their likes and interests
My students love current events also! I can’t do them enough
good point, but my students will get math HW done before SS 9 /10 times
A2 IF we can show Ss how SS content relates to their current life, it is increasingly powerful. Too many Ts just teach facts.
People, place, and events can be Googled. Social studies needs a deeper connection btwn historical and current events to motivate.
That's why I've tried "experimental" research tasks that don't require essay/presentation/project (still a work in progress
History labs? Simply switch from DBQ to DBI had helped motivate Ss
I'm not sure we do motivate. Real motivation is internal, intrinsic. We have to dig to find it sometimes.
What happens as events fall out of the news & are replaced by new events? Do their attention spans outlast the news cycle?
it's relevant to them! That makes all the difference!
saw bill of rights super powers lesson- awesome
Are they just plugging numbers in to a formula? May be easier than thinking through tough SS ?s, researching.
A2: I have really tried to "tap into the kids" and find out what they like and don't. Give them some power to help plan lessons.
my kids were able to sustain a lot more about the refugee crisis than I thought they could. So much info
great idea ! Will defiantly do more DBQ's
Absolutely. The past two years the students have an ongoing thirst for more info. The search it out as 6th graders
BUT students need to learn some facts to feel properly motivated & to get to do the "fun stuff"
I love this. We provide an environment that in encourages motivation...Ss do have to put some work into it too!
Q2 students do not see the importance of SS until they are 30 years old.
Definitely tricky to balance facts to have clue yet leave out enough for them to want to learn more.
Learn yes. Memorize, not so much.
Students love history when they can make connections & ask questions. Thematic approaches provide opportunities for deeper inquiry.
then the question is why don't they see value in what you are assigning? What value does it have to their learning
A3 I got my credential in 1970, and am now retired. I didn't really notice changes in student motivation over the years.
Jason from NW Ind. teach Ancient, Modern History & Sociology
I agree! Ss care about the world around them! https://t.co/wW3EfZ0Grq
Absolutely. The past two years the students have an ongoing thirst for more info. The search it out as 6th graders
A3: Only 3 years, but I find my 2nd semester US Hist. (post 1890) to be easier re:race, immigration, & terrorism (& current events)
And they are often not used to asking ?s rather than answering (often w/ one RIGHT answer). History not like that.
that doesn't mean there isn't value but have to do more to show them the value the connect to their lives
A3: this is my 10th year! Much easier now. Connecting online with other educators had made a hug impact on my class!
A3 I've been teaching SS for 18 years. I feel like Ss are the same as ever, I've changed how I present info though.
World events today are deeply rooted in history. When kids see that, they begin to understand the problem w/ solving problems.
Trump does seem master of the cycle. Even if it requires him to contradict himself. nobody notices.
good point. I sometimes think it's the effort on their end. Maybe I need to reflect further on my own practice
A3 This Q leads down dangerous path.Society, politics, economy, tech are very different than when I started 16 yrs ago
A3 13 yr vet. Get's easier to motivate Ss ea yr. My content knowledge has incrsd & emphasis on T-S rels improved
A3 Between HS & Univ about 15 yrs. The more I teach it seems I gain more resources to motivate. Many of those resources come from !
very cool love to see some example projects- I think present to past and let as explore how we got to... War w/ISIS
A3) This is my 13th year teaching. Now that I'm teaching online, I'm dealing w/ issues of connecting w/ Ss meaningful.
A3: 14 yrs- easier now- more ideas and experience and tools in my bag of tricks
Ss have access to so much more info so much more easily/quickly now but need to be able to evaluate it.
We try to continually stimulate discussion and learning through questions. We want kids to question history; it's not definitive.
A3 This is my 7th year teaching Ss. Biggest impact on motivation has been easier to access tech
I have had success w/ asking Ss opinions about lessons and activities and then including their ideas. It has helped us both!
I think I'd have said the same thing in 1970, thinking back on my schooling.
A3: year 11... I'm a big SS techy. Things are exciting when using movie making skills opposed to just watching movies
A3: This is my 3rd yr teaching social studies. I have 7 yrs of Spanish prior. The stories motivate the same across content area
Sorry to butt in, but looking for 4th/ 5th grade 10 year olds to comment on HS Ss Infographics on BillOfRights
Hi ! Angela, HS History from MA, jumping in late. A3: on my 18th yr, motivation depends on student
A3 16 years. Motivation hasn't changed. They are more distracted, though.
But I bet your willingness to accept change and progress keeps kids motivated!
In my younger days that felt like showing weakness, but now it seems to show strength (i.e., "I can take your criticism")
Absolutely! and rock! https://t.co/tTTAlmtdqi
A3: this is my 10th year! Much easier now. Connecting online with other educators had made a hug impact on my class!
I like to think so! I also name my gray hairs after former students
A3 15 years and 2 as tech integrator. Now is easier because I don't assess w/arbitrary MC tests-Ss know work shared w/world
number 4 is coming up soon
Aren't we all. Have you read or reread Neil Postman's Amusing Ourselves to Death, recently? https://t.co/1vwWAPbvfd
A3: year 10, but first at HS. Feels like the first year all over again.
A3 I know more of what is important to teach- skills critical thinking over facts of content. Allows more creativity for Ss
Think that was big change for me - less worrying about doing what those above felt necessary & focusing more on Ss.
I haven't read that in years. Didn't he write that before pervasive internet usage? Curious how it holds up
I have not. Will put it on the list!
A3: My energy level teaching correlates with their engagement. So I hope to stay youthfully energetic
When kids are motivated by history/current events, they generate interest, questions, and challenges to historical topics.
would turn learning over to Ss- we wouldn't have the strict road map they would see connections and learn as we go
Good point! I am doing that more as well - more authentic https://t.co/x5MTRcbP8j
A3 15 years and 2 as tech integrator. Now is easier because I don't assess w/arbitrary MC tests-Ss know work shared w/world
A4 I think using technology is one of the ways I motivate my students. I also like to create authentic projects
We can't limit a student's interest, and need to let inquisitiveness and choice lead the charge in learning.
A4) In f2f setting, simulations - active engagement! In online, having Ss use hist themes as lens through which to view past.
A4: Student choice in learning and product
A4 We've hit some of these already, especially with current events. Anything specific ?
A4. I think engagement starts with purpose. Why are we doing this? What makes this meaningful? Start w/ essential and compelling ?s.
A4 When can make learning authentic &/or tie back to Ss interests (i.e. music) or make relatable (i.e. people sharing their "voice")
A4: Emojis. I let them take notes on thematic maps with lots of emojis. We even turned it into a game https://t.co/W6jSvL4Ls7
A4: diverse activities & go-with-the-flow type attitude. If something in class sparks an idea we go with it. If I'm bored, they are
AWESOME ! Anything specific you use ?
My students love the story and are enjoying the tech element of self creation in regards to content
Great point. When those Qs come from students, then you're really cooking (my bad for lurking)
A4 Building relationships with Ss is key to motivation. Know your Ss you know what buttons to push and Ss trust you to take chances
Agreed, with data visualizations, mapping, etc. there are a tons of ways to get students interested. https://t.co/IAQ5PJ60Gb
A4 I think using technology is one of the ways I motivate my students. I also like to create authentic projects
A4 Agree with . Tech along with authentic projects that give voice/choice.
A4 Making the strange familiar, and the familiar strange.
A4: The FieldTrip option on gets ohhhh and deep levels of questioning from even hesitant students. I wish they had more
mix technology with student choice and you've got them hooked!
Think that is so true. Love starting lessons w/ ?s - Ss usually jump in w/ their own then motivated to answer them.
A4 I also liked to have students participate in real world mini simulations. Always very engaging. https://t.co/JcsA3wMV6I
A4: Telling stories! They love to learn about the people
The chat is starting in 5 minutes. .
have heard a ton about will have to check out
for the Week in Rap and for student choice in non-fiction reading texts
A4: give them a challenge and have them create! Recently, Ss created w/ our new 3D printer for a project https://t.co/WsgOIkfP7o
A4 get the benchmarks out of the way and ss figure out where they want to spend their energy learning. Balance process/product.
A4: be honest. Kids can tell when you are not sure. I tell them what I know and what I've learned. Then I tell them what I think.
I love to tell the story of Sgt Kirkland the Angel of Fredericksburg. Complete silence every time
A4 My 7th graders like readers theater too.
We want out students to understand historiography. History is not always objective and that's why they need to ask questions.
the Sullivan Ballou letter will also quiet the crowd (except a little sobbing and sniffling)
Time to take my daughter to ballet. Thanks !!
Thinking I'll send a spreadsheet w/ all the options to look at & a feedback for w/ each. Thanks!
I have letters from a woman living on a homestead in western KS. Heartbreaking to read. It's one they remember
Projects that push the limits of learning help kids ask why?
check that, Angel of Marye Heights.
A4: Our class discussions that include personal points of interest when the Ss can choose sides
Hard to teach, but so so important! https://t.co/0LwQcS3XAx
We want out students to understand historiography. History is not always objective and that's why they need to ask questions.
a4: I am a facilitator to the curriculum. They decide how they take it in. I give opportunities for learning. Choice is theirs.
Absolutely! Some of my personal travel stories about places we studied are what they remember years later
this was way off starts at 7 EST
Love the idea of having kids CHOOSE a side and then defend it. https://t.co/QImwGUzu16
A4: Our class discussions that include personal points of interest when the Ss can choose sides
Gotta build in debate and argument. They witness this every day, especially with presidential candidates.
actually candidates are horrible role models for argumentation ... but good for Ss to critique and evaluate!
a4 1 technology gives Ss ability to create. 2 choice - Ss get to choose how to present 3 authentic audience
A5) Awesome educators in , , , , etc. keep me motivated to constantly improve.
has awesome debate activities...SAC. My kids love it, great way to teach debating with evidence
A5 Seeing the awesomeness on and keeps me motivated
A5: meeting like-minded educators on Twitter and at conferences/workshops/institutes
A5: Twitter chats and positive educator friends
A5 Attending more state and national confs since my wife increased my allowance. Couldn't afford it as a new T
Agreed. All the more reason to question, fact check, and refute.
A5 connecting w/ PLN in and to learn about all the great ideas others doing - makes me want to do more
A5 Curious by nature, so I'm always motivated.
A5 is a big motivator for me. I eagerly wait for Monday's to get some great ideas for my students.
A5: Debunking Donald Trump w/ history is motivation enough
A5: I read a lot of books. by helps keep the material fresh w/ movement; w/One-Pagers.
A5 I follow the news in its various forms (mainstream, alternative, foreign, and by disciplines such as physics).
A5 Trying to stay with the times, today we created Reconstruction Era memes in APUSH!
A5: great colleagues to bounce ideas with; PLN on twitter; building relationship with Ss= creating classroom they want to be in
A5 remembering my ss are kids and delighting in their "light-bulb" moments, because it is about them learning
a5: I've really gotten into . Too bad I don't get credit, but my Ss definitely get the benefits.
Hey ! Diving in a bit late, but will read to catch up.
Amy Presley, HS History in OK
Welcome, Amy! Always better late than never.
Totally agree. We should get CEUs for our participation in our own PD.
I wonder if that's the future...sort of a "flipped inservice" option for Ts who would rather participate in a chat
A5: staying motivated by reflecting on what does/doesn't work so I can do better next semester.
Maybe some larger districts like NYC will try that soon
great to see you Amy. Was able to make first time long time.
I don't teach this way and still have trouble with motivation...
Special thanks to for hosting tonight’s on motivation. I will put the storify up in the little bit.
What teaching techniques do you practice?
I just wanted to thank everyone who participated in tonight's ! Outstanding as always ! It's awesome to learn from all of you
Thanks for the chat tonight! Many good ideas :)
Thanks Happy Holidays to all my friends. May your semesters end easily. https://t.co/H8oviU3v9g
Special thanks to for hosting tonight’s on motivation. I will put the storify up in the little bit.
Thank you Bruce. Great questions, and wonderful moderation!
