When your most reluctant student participates, and enjoys herself...you post about it. Yesterday two of my classes participated in a Socratic Seminar: Should the Electoral College Be Abolished? I was SO impressed. Some students had previous experiences with the seminar while some had no idea. We had a practice seminar when we finished our Valley Forge unit. If you and your students are both new to socratic, I highly recommend a practice session.  You can work out the kinks, determine who will speak most, and not at all, and if you need to assign roles. We decided on...

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This month has flown! I have been super busy between observations and work but busy is good! Last week, I had to assign seats in my period 2 class, and I assigned seat today in my period 4. I have 26 in such a small space that even the slightest chatter becomes such a distraction. I knew students would have a conniption because it's high school, and if you aren't next to your bestie then what's the point of life? So, I needed to come up with something to lighten the blow. Taking the time to think out...

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The Disney movie, The Incredibles, was on last night as I was finishing up my work. (Thrilling Saturday night!) Having watched it so many times before I didn't pay attention much and it was really just background noise. Until Edna caught my attention with her famous line, "I never look back darling, it distracts from the now." Never has this line struck such a chord with me.  As it turns out, the world does not stop when you are completely and utterly heart broken, although you feel it has. Time goes on, life goes on. As I dwelled...

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This new Monday just happens to be Labor Day! While I am taking full advantage of the long weekend to relax and rejuvenate, that doesn't mean I'm not thinking about the week ahead! I am in a great spot planning wise (up to about the 22nd YAY) but I have new goals to fulfill being the #goaldigger I am! This week I am having my students practice some critical thinking skills by completing a "What is History" Graphic Organizer. (See Materials: What is History) I'm interested to get a baseline on their mindset, perspectives and critical thinking skills.We...

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Top three things I realized in my first week of teaching: 1. Teaching is exhausting. 2. There is SO much more work involved then they tell you in college. (Seriously all you teacher mom bloggers - I do not know how you manage!) 3. I love it. This week went by so fast, and I am so glad that I planned and prepared ahead of time. Having the energy for the first week and keeping up at the gym and life in general was more tiring than I imagined. The summer to school transition was not easy this...

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So tomorrow is the big today! I am prepped and ready to go! I wanted to share with you all what I did today to help anyone who struggles with juggling so many things at once.  School, seminar, work, diet, the gym, and a social life is quite the work load, but with proper planning and preparation you will lessen your burden and reap the benefits for sure! I woke up later than I wanted (8:15) but, yesterday was such a fun day Paddle Boarding and relaxing on the beach that I didn't mind the extra snooze. I...

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It's almost time!  Yesterday was my student teaching workshop at the college where we learned more about assessment, expectations and the logistics of our placements. I feel so fortunate to have been able to both walk into the workshop, and out of the workshop, feeling incredibly prepared for this experience. I am confident that I will make connections and be successful this semester. I know I will definitely make some mistakes, but I will learn from and grow because of them.  I am not sure exactly what I will be teaching just yet. I meet with my CT...

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