Get your students outside this school year! We have some tried and true ideas and teacher tips to help you teach your students outside!
Practical tips and real examples from a US history and Civics classroom teacher who’s gone PBL.
Inclusive Classrooms ~ "Promote a safe and welcoming classroom school and community where individual differences are valued..."
Do you need warm up ideas? I want to share 3 warm up ideas for social studies classes with you. These are engaging and easy to implement!
Guide to using Social Studies Simulations to step away from the lecture podium and engage your students with hands-on history activities.
5 YouTube Channels that Rock!
Hello again friends! This year, I am piloting personalized learning in my new school! I have been very excited about learning ways to help my students work on becoming more independent and taking charge of their own learning. The journey to embracing personalized learning has been full of twists and turns, but I honestly think...Read More »
Integrating language arts skills into social studies can be tricky. There is already a lot of subject matter to cover without having to teach reading and writing skills as well! If a social studies teacher did not receive much language arts training within his or her certification program, integrating these skills can be even more […]
Picture books are one of my all-time favorite ways to introduce content in social studies! They're perfect for bringing in higher order thinking skills.
A poster created for our English language arts and social studies departments (humanities) to use in their classroom, as well as in the library.
Back to School is right around the corner for us and I am SUPER excited to kick of this school year with some fun, hands-on and engaging resources for The
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Financially savvy kids are future leaders!
You just never know if you will win, who knows maybe this is your lucky time. Go to my previous post and scroll down to enter or just click here to get you there. Today's post will be nice and short. We worked on land forms and made an anchor chart together. They each made a land form poster and they came out cute! And something waaaaay off topic. I left this cute little surprise in our fridge for my husband. Can't wait to see his reaction when he open the fridge door. And of course I added something sarcastic in the end hehe. There is nothing more awkward than walking in a store with beer in your hand and trying to hide from possible students. I'm pretty sure many teachers can relate! HA!
This year in my social studies curriculum, I had to teach about the first contact between the First Nations and the Europeans in Canada. Ever since the new curriculum has come into effect in BC, our text books have been a bit out of date. It isn’t that this topic isn’t in the text books …
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Most states use the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) exam which candidates must pass to gain licensure as a social worker. Some states require licensure at the Bachelors level, Masters level, and Clinical level, while other states only require Clinical licensure. (For a state-by-state listing of licensing requirements, visit this informative website.) My students want to know how to prepare for the exam, and I have some suggestions. 1. Plan ahead. Most states allow graduating students to test up to a month before graduation, which allows you to graduate with licensure. Some jobs may require a license in hand prior to applying or interviewing. You may have to register for the exam as much as a month early, and you may have to travel hours to a test site. Therefore, start planning for a test date several months ahead of time. 2. Know your state's hurdles. Some states require finger printing ahead of time and an application to the state before you can be approved to take the test. Other states require you to test before applying to the state's licensure board. If you are graduating in one state and moving to another after graduation, know the rules in the state where you plan to move. You can transfer test scores but will have to apply to the board in the state where you plan to practice. 3. Develop test-taking skills. Multiple-choice tests are similar in many ways. They require carefully reading options and eliminating bad ones. If you have a methodological approach to analyzing your answers, you will do better. This document lists some strategies to use when you have to guess. The questions often ask for the "best" answer and offer several potentially correct answers- but only one answer can be "best." Look for context and rule-out clues, like "always" and "never." If you have to guess, answers with more detail are often better, and answers related to client safety or confidentiality are often answers to the "what should you do first" questions. 4. Use multiple learning tools. Lots of people like study guides. They have varying quality- you can read reviews on sites like Amazon. Many of the questions relate to developmental theory, and podcasts can help with that sort of information. Here are some podcasts to listen to, either directly at these sites or search for them on youtube. 1. The Social Work Podcast. You can find a list of all the podcasts and direct links here. 2. Social Work Exam Prep. These brief audio clips are direct and to the point. 5. Make it mobile. There are a few exam prep apps you can download on your smartphone. I like the free app called "Social Work Lite" which allows you to choose how many questions you want to practice at one setting. You can turn waiting rooms in to study time. Similarly, if you do have paper-based study materials, scan them and save as a pdf document so that you can open them on your smartphone and read on the go. 6. Look at the free sample questions and the content areas listed at the ASWB website. This will help prepare you for the style of questions and the areas that you are expected to know. ASWB offers a paid online exam and a small booklet with more sample questions. The online exam is a good way to prepare for what it's like to answer questions on a computer, but your mileage may vary- you may not need these paid resources if you are good at using the other free resources I've talked about on this page. 7. Use a buddy system. Plan study dates with another test-taker so that you can hold each other accountable to study time. Use what works together- flashcards, quizzes, reading out loud, or just quiet time together. 8. Consider a local or online test prep workshop. Often your local social work department or chapter of NASW will know who is offering classes locally. Online classes are available- look around the web for reviews before signing up. These can be costly, at about $300 for the class offered by the Extension office at University of Michigan. However, if this is going to grab your attention it may be worth it- it's cheaper than retaking the exam in most cases. 9. If you plan to take the clinical license exam after your supervision hours are complete, enlist your clinical supervisor in test prep. Let your supervisor know your anticipated test date, and about six months early make a concentrated effort to fit some exam study practice in to each of your supervision visits. This may be via discussing theory, clinical scenarios, pharmacology, etc. 10. Do the things that will ease your anxiety. Your first step to a calm test experience is adequate study preparation, so make a plan that is SMART. The week before you drive to your test site, make sure you know the route, have plenty of time, have adequate rest and a good snack, and know the requirements for the test center regarding proof of identity and what you can take with you. Consider some mindfulness or breathing techniques to help you relax. Remember: The test is difficult, but not impossible. Most people pass the first time, and you only need a score of about 75%. Study, think good thoughts, think about the kind of supports that work for you, and relax. Best test-taking wishes to you!
Learn About the 7 Continents! Exploring the 7 Continents has never been more exciting! It’s a Small World Continent Study is filled with over 35 activities to help your students gain a greater understanding of the seven continents. This 130+ page unit is filled with great resources, posters, printables, activities, and projects that will open […]
Sentence stems help students communicate what they are thinking about, help many students with special needs, and provide focus for our lesson.
(Click on any photo to be taken to the resource) You are going to LOVE this unit. It’s easy to implement, it’s comprehensive, #representation, and your students are going to walk away with a great foundation of important social studies skills. We lay the foundation in literally every other academic area, social studies shouldn’t be […]
The word theory can become quite confusing…in social work ‘theory’ is thrown around and can often become synonymous with model, approach, or practice. Defining and understanding …
I’ve been spending some serious amounts of time this summer leading conversations around the country focused on the integration of social studies and literacy. And for the last few years, I…
If you're a college student, then these are the apps you need to study better, manage your money, resist distractions, and navigate adult life.
The personal financial literacy math standards include challenging vocabulary and concepts. Use these 5 tools to make it easier and more fun for kids!
Unleash the power of poetry analysis with our dynamic Poetry Analysis Graphic Organizer, meticulously designed to be paired with any text or poem. This versatile resource, crafted using Google Slides, offers the flexibility of both printing and digital assignment, enabling students to unravel the intricate layers of poetry's artistry. Key Features: Comprehensive Analysis: This graphic organizer presents a comprehensive framework for diving deep into the poetic realm, encompassing key elements such as Tone, Word Choice, Imagery, Style, and Theme. Digital and Printable: Accessible via digital platforms or traditional print, this resource adapts seamlessly to diverse learning environments, ensuring accessibility and convenience. What Students Will Explore: Tone: The graphic organizer guides students in uncovering the speaker's attitude toward the subject, fostering an understanding of the emotional tone of the poem. Word Choice: Students will analyze the specific words used, their connotations, associations, and emotional impact on the reader, facilitating a deeper comprehension of the poem's linguistic nuances. Imagery: The organizer prompts students to immerse themselves in the sensory details of the poem, from sound and smell to sight, taste, and touch, enhancing their sensory perception and connection to the text. Style: Students will explore the author's unique style, including the use of figurative language, repetition, rhyme, and rhythm, illuminating the poetic techniques that shape the verse. Theme: The graphic organizer helps students uncover the poet's profound insight about life, encouraging them to ponder the deeper meanings and messages embedded in the verse. Why Choose Our Poetry Analysis Graphic Organizer: Comprehensive Framework: This resource provides students with a systematic framework for in-depth analysis, fostering a deep appreciation of poetry's artistry. Digital and Printable: Designed for both digital and print use, this graphic organizer accommodates various learning preferences and environments, enhancing accessibility. Critical Thinking: By guiding students through the exploration of poetic elements, this organizer promotes critical thinking, interpretation, and a profound connection to poetry. Empower your students to become skilled interpreters of poetry, unveiling the secrets of verse and fostering a lifelong appreciation for the art of language. The Poetry Analysis Graphic Organizer is an essential tool for nurturing critical analysis and poetic awareness. Elevate your teaching and inspire your students with a versatile resource designed to deepen their understanding of poetry and its captivating intricacies. Transform your classroom with the Poetry Analysis Graphic Organizer from History and Literacy for All!
Each of these moments is covered in "History Minutes," a brief look at a time, place, or person in history. What's the Purpose of History Minutes? I created History Minute resources for a variety of
MPT One-Sheet
A poster created for our English language arts and social studies departments (humanities) to use in their classroom, as well as in the library.
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