Living History Museum

When I think of a living history museum, I think of a good way for students to interactively learn about historical figures. Every time I have an assignment similar to this one, I try to pick someone different than I have before so that I can expand my knowledge base. It is fun for students to act like someone else for a day and makes it easier for students to learn. I think this is a wonderful activity for a lesson!

Day of Giving Thanks

Since I have been in Dr. Meier's Social Studies class, my eyes have been opened to the true meaning of Thanksgiving. I have not often thought of the first Thanksgiving, except for when I am in an elementary school. Since I will be teaching elementary students I need to critically think about what I will teach them about Thanksgiving. I have known for a long time that the first Thanksgiving was not what we often think of, i.e., the Pilgrims and Native Americans living happily ever after feasting on turkey, stuffing, rolls, pumpkin pie, etc. With my family there has always been an emphasis on what we are thankful for and not, well let's remember our ancestors today. My future step-aunt has called Thanksgiving day the Day of Giving Thanks because that is what we really need to be doing. I know like to refer to this past Thursday as the Day of Giving Thanks because I need to, ALWAYS, be thankful for what I have. Setting aside one day out of the year to think of what I am thankful for is not sufficient but is a good time to gather with family and to discuss with them what I am thankful for. This type of definition is what I will emphasize in my classroom, not the pilgrims and indians because we all know that is not how it happened.

Story Path _ Mt. Everest

I think that the story path activity is a good alternative to teaching by the text. I enjoyed participating in the Mt. Everest story path. I put myself in someone else's shoes and had to see what it would be like as a Sherpa. I have background knowledge about Mt. Everest that I never had before. I felt that role playing in this way is more beneficial than reading from a textbook. Students can make their own decisions about each story. Students can become active participants in that area, and not passive readers.

Photo Diary

I had so much fun creating my photo diary. It is mentally challenging to put it together because I am not a metaphorical person; I take things very literally. I had more fun viewing everyone's photo diaries in class than creating my diary. It was fun to see how everyone displayed their qualities of an effective teacher.

Concept Map

Before doing the concept map for the midterm in social studies, I have never even seen one. I enjoyed making the map and plan to use it as an idea for assessments with my future students. I think this is a better way of assessing students than a pencil and paper test. Using this form of assessment, students can use their creativity to show what they have learned. Some students are not good at taking standard tests and this gives them a break from that. I know that I liked this test better than other ones I have taken before.