Social Studies Game

This is a cool resource I have stumbled across while working on my Unit! Hope you enjoy!

http://www.learninggamesforkids.com/social_studies_games.html

Current Event

Many, many crazy things have been happening lately.

The event that I've chosen has to deal with something that is going on right in Mississippi. A envelope filled with the substance Ricin was sent to President Obama and also the Senator of Mississippi, Roger Wicker. They found a suspect which is a man from Corinth, MS.

This is a great teaching moment because it allows you do apply it to the classroom by allowing the students to do some kind of research of what exactly is ricin. (I myself had to look this up- Here's a link: http://www.cnn.com/2013/04/16/health/what-is-ricin ) There are many different ways you could go with this type of current event.

http://www.masslive.com/news/index.ssf/2013/04/ricin_suspect_charged_with_sen.html

Social Studies teaching resource

I recently stumbled across a website that I found on Pinterest where teachers upload lesson plans, instructional resources, and classroom materials to certain topics.

It is AWESOME.

It is called betterlesson.com 

Check it out!  

Quotes!

Reflection on my Observation in Field Experience

It's been awhile my blog, but I'm back- weekly that is :)


Yesterday, April 2nd, I began my block intern placement at Caledonia Elementary School.
I am in a 5th grade inclusion classroom. They are on a block schedule so my teacher just teaches English, Writing, and Spelling and the other teacher teaches Social Studies, Science, and Math.

This week they are doing a practice MCT testing. Their real MCT tests are later in May. It has been good to have these 3 days to have the time to get to know my teacher, figure out things for my unit, and other things. It also shows me just how much emphasizes the school puts on these tests. It's a reflection of the WHOLE school!

I am very ready to see how my teacher actually teaches because I have heard she is FABULOUS! 

Good luck to everyone as they finish out their first week in the schools!! 



 

Uncle Sam says it's not Presidents Day?!

With it being President's Day, today, I thought this current event fit in well.

When I hear the holiday President's Day, I automatically think that it's a day that we celebrate all the Presidents.

Weeeellllll.... Uncle Same begs to differ.

This holiday was actually designed for George Washington's birthday!

 Washington's actual birthday was February 22, and that's when the holiday was originally celebrated. 

In 1968, however, Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act , which designated the third Monday in February as Washington's Birthday, beginning in 1971.  

"Presidents" Day later evolved from that after Abraham Lincoln whose birthday is also in February.

Most people could care less what the holiday is as long as they get a day off from it :)

This would be a great teaching window because you could research many other holidays that may or may not fall somewhat under the same circumstances as Presidents Day!

It also gives you an excuse to get into lessons about the Presidents of the United States!  

HAPPY PRESIDENT'S DAY!! OR SHOULD I SAY HAPPY WASHINGTON DAY :)


Here's the link:

http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2013/02/18/uncle-sam-says-its-not-presidents-day/?hpt=hp_t2 

Class Reflection

On February 5th, We had a guest speaking come in and give us TONS of resourceful information and products dealing with money. Her name was Jeannette Bennett. Ms. Bennett was from the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, Memphis branch. I learned SO much from her!!! She brought tons and tons of goodies for us to have. I was very impressed and felt like the knowledge we gained was so useful because money is a HUGE part of our life and will continue to be!

Educational Policy Issue

 An educational policy issue that has been going on is the issue dealing with Mississippi passing the bill to get charter schools.

What are charter schools you ask?

Charter schools are public schools that receive public funding, but are operated independently and are not subject to many of the regulations that apply to other public schools.

I know what your thinking.. Why does this matter? That is just more job opportunities right? 

In a way it is but depending on the state, charter school teachers DO NOT have to be a certified teacher.

Yes, you read that right. We, CERTIFIED TEACHERS, could possible be not hired over someone who are not certified.

I am obviously against charter schools (if you couldn't tell) because I just don't like the thought of people who aren't a certified teacher to be teaching young minds the fundamentals of life.

The House and the Senate must agree before it can go to Gov. Phil Bryant, who supports charter schools.

Let's keep our fingers crossed that whatever happens, happens for a reason whether we can see the reasoning for it now or not.


Here is the link to the news website reporting it:
 http://www.wtok.com/home/headlines/Charter-school-debate-continues-in-Miss-House-188215031.html

Inspiration!

 

 

What's going on lately?

I'm sure everyone is aware of the devastating hurricane that went on the east coast called Hurricane Sandy on October 26, 2012.

Apparently, some issues had been sparked dealing with the aiding of these cities who needed assistance. After four months, it has finally come to an end and the Senate has passed the bill for the relief efforts!

This would be awesome to use in a classroom because it deals with the Senate and actual real life events that occur. Issues like this happen all the time, when it is brought to the attention of students it makes them more aware. This kind of current event is such a teachable moment. In something like this, you could have the students pretend to be the senators and have the students decide which side they would be on and their opinions.

 Here's the link:
http://www.cnn.com/2013/01/28/politics/senate-sandy/index.html?hpt=hp_t1

Trial Run

Hey guys!

Welcome to my blog!

I have never seem to be able to figure out how to "blog", but I guess there comes a time that you have to get in there and do a trial run.

So..... I'm guessing this is my trial run :)