Month: November 2016
Renaissance Artists
I’m not sure where I originally saw this, but I love it. Perfect picture to include when studying the Renaissance and a great way to have a little fun. 
Electoral College Map Activity
I have to admit, I have been excited about this map since the end of last year. This giant map of the United States stayed in my trunk all last year. Its partner, the world map, was proudly hung on my classroom wall all last year. Students labeled the world map at the beginning of the year and used string to draw the equator, prime meridian, and time zones in the continental United States. Throughout the year, we placed current events from around the world on the map, all while the U.S. map stayed in my trunk. Then at the end of last year, I finally thought of what to do lwith the U.S. map! I was going to make a giant map of the 2016 election results. Every state was traced in both blue and red and then laminated.
Below are step by step pictures of how I made the map and the final result.
The completed map. Students’ predictions are along the top and side of the map. Numbers are written with expo marker because it easily wipes off.
US History II – Quarterly Update 2016-2017
Teaching juniors at my school is bittersweet. Some of my students have been students of mine since 9th grade and now, they are juniors! It is humbling to watch them grow over the years and it is one of the reasons I enjoy teaching juniors. The year began with studying the Reconstruction Era, possibly one of the hardest units I teach. That didn’t stop my students from having deep conversations about how the events of this time period still affect us today. They are able to connect so much to the world we live in today. The next unit focused on The Rise of Big Business and the Progressive Era. Students researched a modern business of their choice and created presentations. I am proud of their creativity and how they showcase their knowledge. We briefly over viewed World War I, and will come back to study it more in depth before studying the Jazz Age and the Great Depression in marking period 2. We closed out the marking period with the election. You’ll find that post here.
Global Studies – Quarterly Update 2016-2017
2016-2017 was off to a great start! The 9th graders began the year with a review of Ancient Civilizations. I am always amazed with this unit every year I teach it. I find it fascinating that the people from this time period made such great advancements in art and science to the point we can still appreciate it today. The 9th graders created their own piece of papyrus and wrote their names in hieroglyphics. I love challenging the students right away with a fun project. Students make the paper from mashed up pulp that I make in my food processor. Both the students and I love bringing out our inner child and getting messy with a hands-on project. The final projects are always a success. The next unit was the Beginning of a Global Age and the Renaissance. This time, students created a menu for a restaurant using only items from either the New World or the Old World. Students use what we learn in class to demonstrate how they master the material; creating projects is an effective way to keep them engaged. You’ll be surprised how tasty a menu can be using only certain items. We closed out the marking period with the election. You’ll find that post here.
Below are some pictures of the students making paper.
History With Mrs. Johnson 