War or Peace?

I was walking with the dog crew at the park tonight and I explained what we did in class this week. I was telling them about the simulation (War or Peace?) that Mr. Emerson and I ran with the U. S. History classes this week.

The students were broken up into 7 nations of different strengths and had to develop foreign policies for the impending war between Nurovia and Atweena. There was some backstabbing, a bit of treachery, and a smattering of honest negotiations. The simulation continues until there is only one nation standing, or until all nations declare "peace." What the students don't realize is that we will be able to draw on the lessons from this throughout our entire study of WWI.

Everyone said that their history classes in high school were never like this. That put a huge smile on my face. So many people have had boring history classes and they end up taking very little away from them. I always aim to be memorable and I am sure that I fail at that goal often. This week, Neil and I succeeded. How do I know? We had students from previous years ask to come back and participate, we had students talking about what they did in class outside of class, and I saw it in the students eyes.

I know that they will retain more about WWI because of War or Peace? and the lessons from history are so important to understand so we can stop making the same mistakes.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Hubbard Park, Montpelier, VT

BUCKS WIN

Nice win ladies. Bring on the next team.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Location:BMU

Renaissance

I love when students have a topic to study, and they jump into it with force right from the get go. My World History class is busy researching the people and accomplishments of the Renaissance.

It is like a real life version of the Teenaged Mutant Ninja Turtles in my classroom. ;)


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:BMU

It's Glog....

The term Glog does not roll off the tongue. That being said, this website does offer a much better learning experience than having students make a poster to demonstrate learning. With the capability to embed video and link to other pages, Glogster allows any student to demonstrate their understanding in a simple multi-media presentation.

My World Cultures class Glogged their understanding of American culture, and our impact on the rest of the world.

Check this one out.

Student Council

Student Council saw some real changes this year. In the past, the high school and middle school had two separate clubs. The two have merged into one club and we had our first full meeting today.

We also moved from lunchtime, into an after school meeting time. This allows for much more discussion of school issues, more time for team building, and event planning. My goal is to develop leaders and help give the BMU students more of a voice in decisions that effect the school.

We started today the same way we will start every week, with a challenge. Today, the students had to get everyone inside of two hula-hoops with nothing touching the ground outside of the hoops. It took a while, but they did an amazing job and succeeded.



- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Location:BMU

You be the Progressives...

U.S. History students are busy taking on the persona of the Progressive reformers. On Tuesday, they will need to be be prepared to attend a Progressive meeting of the minds where they will discuss and debate.

Extra points are on the table for props, masks, and enthusiasm so I can guarantee that pictures will be arriving on Tuesday afternoon.

Yes, I do have class

Day 4 of Dimensions of Curriculum is complete. I can feel myself transforming as a teacher and I like who I am becoming. I am seeing the big picture more and more, and focusing on the minute details of history less and less.

I think one of the hardest parts of becoming a better teacher is that you might take one step forward and two steps back. Tonight we discussed our memorable educational moments. The times from our school years that we will never forget. I came up with a list of unforgettable experiences like the Hope-a-me-boats-floata, and the Ricky Lake 4. These were moments that forever shaped my views on education and I will never forget them. After a few years of teaching, I have developed lessons that are good and that I am comfortable teaching. I don't feel like there are that many that are unforgettable and that means I need to get better. Tonight was a real eye opener.

Daniel Pink (is a god of thought) teaches that we need to ask ourselves two questions:

1) What is your sentence?
- This means that great humans can usually be summed up in one fairly simple sentence.
- I wan mine to be "Ben taught people how to be leaders and built social capital."
- I don't know if that is my sentence right now, but I am working on it.

2) Were you better today than you were yesterday?
- Easily, without a doubt.
:)




- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Location:Barre City School

Glogster

When you introduce a new technology and a student says that they wish they has known about this throughout high school, you know that you are doing something right.

I will post a link to a few glogs next week once the students have finished the assignment.

Consider it pushed!!!

The students had a blast and ALL of them did an amazing job. I am truly impressed.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Location:Siskin, Derby, VT

Student Council

I am truly excited about Student Council moving to Wednesdays after school. In the past we had lunch time once a week and we were still able to get a lot done.

My goal for this year is for every student to understand what leadership is, and for them to all feel like they have made progress towards becoming a better leader.

It is going to be a lot of fun and "if it isn't fun, why do it."

Location:BMU

Sausage being made...

"Laws are like sausages, it is better not to see them being made." -Otto von Bismarck

Friday the World History classes got stranded on the Deserted Island. This activity forces the class to work together to form a functioning government from scratch.

Bismarck hit the nail right on the head. Despite a dash of noise and a pinch if chaos, the students got a lot out of this exercise and got a terrific introduction to our unit on government.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Location:BMU

Push yourself....

The BMU Middle School heads back to the Siskin ropes course this Tuesday to complete the high elements.

The kids were phenomenal with the low elements and I can't wait to see how they handle a little bit of height.

Mr. Blood and myself are seen here at the very end of a difficult challenge that forces you to trust yourself, your partner, and the people who spot you. Much to the dismay of the students, we got to the end, and none of them got a free homework pass.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Location:Derby, VT