Don't brew up any trouble: What NOT to do when teaching the History of Halloween

Ah, Halloween, the spookiest time of the year. As a history teacher, you probably look forward to this time of year to not only talk about ancient traditions, but also to get your students excited about history. However, there are a few things that you should avoid doing when teaching the history of Halloween. In this blog post, we'll dive into what not to do when teaching this beloved holiday to ensure that you're educating your students in the best way possible.

Here's what NOT to do when teaching the history of Halloween.

It's important to remember that Halloween has its roots in ancient traditions, most famously, Samhain, which was celebrated by the Celts. However, when Europeans colonized North America, they brought their own traditions which eventually merged with local practices. That being said, it's important to not fetishize colonialism, which greatly harmed indigenous peoples. Focus on the traditions and their origins rather than the influence of European practices.

Don't demonize Halloween: The majority of people love Halloween - the decorations, the candy, and the costumes. However, you might come across some who believe that Halloween is a holiday of evil. Don't be the teacher who feeds into that belief. Halloween does have pagan origins, but the holiday has evolved over time and has become a holiday of fun and games for children. Rather than scaring your class, explain the historical background of the holiday in a way that they can understand.

Don't promote inappropriate costumes: Halloween can be a great time for dressing up, but it's also essential to consider the appropriateness of costumes. Don't encourage your class to dress up as stereotypes or to use Halloween as an excuse to show off a risqué costume. Be mindful of your students' cultural and religious beliefs as well. Instead, make some class guidelines for costumes that are inclusive and respectful of all cultures.

 Halloween may have originated from Celtic traditions, but it's important to remember that other cultures have their own form of celebration. For example, Mexico celebrates Dia de los Muertos, which is a day to celebrate the dead. It's important to not appropriate or co-opt these traditions for the sake of celebrating Halloween. Instead, encourage your students to learn about other cultures and their traditions, and maybe even incorporate them into your lesson plan.

 Last but not least, it's important to remember that Halloween is all about fun! While it's important to teach students about the history of the holiday, don't forget to have some fun along the way. Encourage your students to dress up and maybe even throw a Halloween party. After all, what better way to get excited about history than to dress up and have fun with it?

 

So, that's what NOT to do when teaching the history of Halloween. As a teacher, it's essential to remember that Halloween has evolved over time and has different meanings for different people. It's crucial to promote respect and inclusiveness in your classroom and to be mindful of your students' diverse backgrounds. By being a responsible teacher and avoiding these Halloween faux pas, you can ensure that your class has a spooktacular time while learning a little bit about history in the process.

The Importance of Timelines in Social Studies

If you're like me, then you probably love a good timeline. I mean, what's not to love? Timelines are neat, tidy, and they help us make sense of the chaos that is history. But for all of their charms, timelines are often misunderstood and underutilized in the classroom. So today, dear reader, I'm here to set the record straight on why timelines are important in social studies.

 

Ever wonder why some people just can't seem to grasp the concept of cause and effect? They probably didn't have access to a trusty timeline during their formative years. That's right, timelines aren't just for keeping track of important dates – they're key tools in helping students truly understand the interconnectedness of historical events. After all, it's not enough to know that the Battle of Waterloo happened – students need to see how it influenced the course of European history. So, let's all give timelines the respect they deserve, and maybe, just maybe, we'll start seeing a world where people actually learn from history instead of repeating it. 

 

 

History can be a tricky subject. It's like trying to find your way through a labyrinth of facts and dates, trying to make sense of it all. But fear not, dear students! The magical tool of timelines is here to save the day. Not only do they help you keep track of all those pesky dates and events, but they also give you a glimpse of how things have changed (or not) over time. And let's face it, studying controversial topics like slavery and civil rights can feel overwhelming at times. That's why timelines are like your trusty sidekick - guiding you through the ups and downs of history, helping you make sense of how attitudes and policies have evolved (or devolved) over time. So, put on your cape of curiosity and let's delve into the exciting world of timelines! 

The third reason timelines are important is that they help students see the interconnectedness of events. One of the most common misconceptions about history is that it's a series of isolated events. But in reality, history is full of interconnected events. Timelines can help students see these connections and understand how one event can lead to another. For example, the American Revolution didn't just happen in a vacuum; it was directly inspired by the earlier success of the British colonies in North America. Seeing this connection on a timeline can help students understand how different events can be connected.

 

Timelines are the perfect way for students to kickstart their historical exploration. Next time you're teaching a social studies unit, help your students really get to grips with history by using timelines. Viewing events as part of an interconnected whole helps kids develop their understanding and appreciation for how our world has shifted over time - plus it's fun too! So when mapping out your lesson plans, don't forget those invaluable chronicles of cause-and-effect throughout history.

What students usually get wrong about the Mexican-American War

After teaching the Mexican-American War for many years, I've noticed that there are a few things that students tend to get wrong about this important event in our nation's history. In this blog post, I'll share some of the most common misconceptions and correct them so that you can help your students understand this crucial period in our country's past.

Misconception #1: The Mexican-American War began as a result of Mexican aggression

In reality, America sought to expand its boundaries into Mexico for the protection of slavery

The Mexican-American War is often misunderstood. While this 1846-1848 conflict between the United States and Mexico may sound straightforward, understanding its historical implications requires further research. Many Americans falsely believe that it began as a result of Mexican aggression, neglecting to realize that America sought to expand its boundaries and a major part of the war focused on the protection of slavery. This misunderstanding highlights the importance of learning history effectively in order to truly understand any event or conflict. Even though it’s now been over 170 years since this historic moment, gaining an appreciation for how it impacted diverse populations is still incredibly important.

Misconception #2: The primary cause of the war was the U.S. annexation of Texas

In reality, President James K. Polk sent American troops into what Mexico believed to be its territory, the area between the Rio Grande River and the Nueces River

The Mexican-American War mainly began over the issue of the U.S. annexation of Texas in 1845, which had formerly been a part of Mexico. This event enraged many Mexicans and led to disagreements about land control between the two nations as well as disputes about unresolved issues from the Texas Revolution that occurred nearly a decade prior. 

These disagreements quickly snowballed into war when President James K. Polk sent American troops into what Mexico believed to be its territory, initiating a conflict filled with territorial goals, heated battles and months of struggle and bloodshed on both sides before finally ending with the signing of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo in February 1848. Although many people often overestimate or discount the factors contributing to this war, it is important to remember that the primary cause was ultimately rooted in the United States' controversial decision to annex Texas.

Misconception #3: The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was a victory for the United States

In reality, America gained much more territory than they had previously. However the indigenous people and Mexicans living there were victim to mistreatment in this process.

While the United States saw the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo as a victory in 1848, it certainly wasn't a straightforward win for America. The treaty ended Mexico-American War and resulted in Mexico giving up a large swath of land, including California, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas which consisted of nearly half of its territory. Although America may have gained new land through this treaty to expand upon their concept of manifest destiny, their mistreatment towards the Indigenous people that were already living in the areas was detrimental. 

In addition, 4 million Mexicans now found themselves living within US borders- citizens denied representation and excluded from many rights granted to those born in the United State's own borders. The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo gave Mexicans the right to remain in U.S. territory or to move to Mexico, with only 3,000 opting to move. The U.S. Senate revised Article IX regarding civil and political rights and eliminated Article X, which would have allowed Mexicans to complete the process of claiming land grants under U.S. administration. 

The Mexican-American War is an important but often misunderstood part of American history. Some common misconceptions about the war include that it was caused by Manifest Destiny or that it was simply a land grab by the United States. However, the war was actually much more complex than that, and there were a number of factors that led to it beyond just American expansionism. 

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Games to use for Test Review

When it comes to test review, there are a lot of options out there. But what are the best games to use? Here are a few of our favorites. Not only are these games fun, but they're also educational and can help your students review for their upcoming tests. So break out the board games and get ready to have some fun!

Memory

Memory games are perfect for review or even just for a bit of fun in the classroom! Using matching and other association-based activities, teachers can give students a mental workout with these interactive games. Refreshing familiar topics, characters, or equations with a fun and unique approach can help keep students engaged while they work on improving their memory. Games like these can also be useful for warming up the classroom before delving into any test reviews since it brings an interesting spin to traditional studying techniques.

Jeopardy

Jeopardy is one of the most popular games to help review material, and for a good reason! With a large selection of categories and questions that can be tailored to any particular subject matter, it is sure to keep everyone's minds buzzing. What's more, it encourages friendly competition which often brings motivation and excitement to an otherwise mundane task. Make use of it in your next test review and maximize your learning potential with this classic game!

Bingo

Bingo is a great game to use for test review because it's fast, effective, and fun! You can easily customize the game with academic content, so that it becomes an interactive, comprehensive study aid. With bingo, students become more engaged with the review material and can often better remember information that they have learned -- making them even more prepared for their exams! Bingo can not only be an exciting learning activity but also a morale booster among your students.

These three fun review games are great to use whether you’re teaching in the classroom or virtually. Do you have a favorite game that you like to use for test review? Click here to share this post with a teacher friend and help them out!

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Differentiating with Task Cards in the Classroom

 

Differentiating instruction is a key factor for success in any classroom 🙌 and task cards are a great way to help you do just that. Task cards can be used to differentiate instruction by providing students with different levels of difficulty 🎚️, allowing them to work at their own pace and giving them the opportunity to explore 🔍 topics more deeply. Let’s take a look at how task cards can help teachers differentiate instruction in the classroom.

Task Card Benefits

Task cards are versatile tools which provide many benefits for both teachers and students alike. They can be used to present new material or review old material ✍️; as individual assignments or group activities; as practice or assessment; and for any subject area 📒 or grade level. Furthermore, task cards allow for differentiated learning without taking away from valuable instruction time ; they also provide a hands-on approach to learning that is engaging and motivating for students of all ages. 

Differentiation Strategies

Differentiation with task cards can be done in several different ways. For example, you can assign different tasks to different students based on ability level, interest level, or prior knowledge 🧠. You can also assign tasks that focus on different aspects of the same unit such as comprehension (reading) tasks, application (writing) tasks, analysis (thinking) tasks, and creation (producing) tasks. Finally, you can create tasks with varying degrees of difficulty so that each student has an appropriate challenge level regardless of skill set or learning style.

 

Use different colors for task cards

Select the top 10 most vital task cards in the set and print them on different colored paper, blue for example. Then, for your students who need remediation or require accommodations, have them complete the blue task cards first, then they can complete any other task cards after that. This gives you the chance to have the students answer the most important questions first and allows the students to not be so overwhelmed by the activity. It also allows the students to feel successful 🏅 in your class knowing they got through the 10 blue task cards and not being reprimanded for an incomplete assignment.

Add clipart or photos

If you want to get really creative, you can add clipart or photos 🖼️ to your task cards. This can help students better understand the concept you are teaching. Visuals are a great way to engage all learners, and incorporating pictures or diagrams 📊 on your task cards can be of great help for students who require more visual cues. Adding visuals to the task cards allows those students to gain a better understanding of the material, as they will be able to see the task more clearly and can be able to visualize the concepts. This works perfect for English Language Learners or struggling students. 

 

Stations

Tap into the power of task cards to give your students more freedom! Differentiate instruction by setting up stations with two per station 📋: one card offering multiple choice questions, and another that features open-ended or short response questions. You can customize this learning experience even further - challenge them to answer at least two short responses ✏️ so they feel comfortable tackling material in their preferred style.

 

Differentiating instruction doesn't have to be complicated—task cards offer an easy way for teachers to provide meaningful opportunities for all learners while still allowing them autonomy over their own learning process. 

By following these tips on creating effective task cards and keeping in mind the importance of clarity, creativity, and relevance when designing activities for your students, you'll be able to create an engaging classroom environment tailored specifically towards their needs! With task cards in hand—and some careful thought put into how best utilize them—you're sure to see differentiated instruction done right! 

Looking to save time? Check out my line of US History Task Cards from Exploration and Colonization through Reconstruction!

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How I teach the Declaration of Independence

 

Students are exposed to challenging content all throughout their lives. However, the middle school adds in a few extra challenges. Between friendship issues , puberty, and self-esteem, students are really struggling 😭! Therefore, it is key to bring in engaging ways to teach the challenging content. Additionally, it greatly helps to build connections 🤝in order for students to relate to the content. For example, they may love to celebrate Independence Day on July 4th 🎆 but not know the true meaning behind it. Thus, the 3 steps below will be incredibly helpful when teaching the Declaration of Independence!

1. Use the Comparison of a Couple Breaking Up

When teaching the Declaration of Independence, it will be important to bring in a comparison that middle school students will understand. Hence, explain this as a couple breaking up 💔. Now, some middle school students may not have personally been in a relationship yet. However, they have seen many breakups on TV 📺, in their own family 👪, or with a friend 👦. Therefore, it is a connection they can truly understand.

 

When first starting this comparison, ask students: What would be some reasons you would break up with someone? For example, there may be distance issues between the two people ✈. Or, there may be problems with communication 🤐, happiness, and respecting each other's decisions. Unfortunately, problems may become so bad that an apology just isn’t enough 🚫. There needs to be a formal separation and end of the relationship. By making this comparison, students will have a strong understanding of why the Declaration of Independence was needed. In order to truly excite your students, be sure to play Too Late To Apologize: A Declaration  ! Students will love the new lyrics to this well-known song 🎵.

2. Sections of the Declaration of Independence 

After students gain an understanding on why the Declaration of Independence was needed, it is time to dive deeper into the content. If the relationship comparison really connected with students, this step can even be explained as a divorce 💔. Specifically, compromises have to be worked out in order for all involved parties to come to an agreement 👍. Just as adults have to communicate and compromise, the 13 colonies had to do the same.

 

In order to break down the Declaration, this Close Reading and Text Analysis resource does an incredible job at explaining the different components. Here, students are provided three methods for decoding a really complicated text . Additionally, they use cooperative learning for analyzing the text 📕. By doing this, the reading 👀 is not so overwhelming. Then, they will listen to music to see Britain’s reaction. Since many students love music 🎵, this is a great way to help them understand the content. After this, students will be guided to depict grievances against King George. This resource does an incredible job at taking a document made of a ton of words and really simplifying them down to the most important aspects.

3. In-Depth Review of Grievances

After explaining what the Declaration is and how it is set up, it is time to move onto complications that arose. This in-depth review will focus on grievances and what they meant. Therefore, by doing this after the Close Reading and Text Analysis resource 👀, students will already have a general idea on this topic. Now, students can dive into the deeper content. To do this, they can explore different grievances, such as colonist participation in government and law enforcement, and separate them into categories. For example, categorize based on political, social, or economic aspects. These three are key issues in any major decision-making.

 

In order to help students really understand how grievances develop, it can be helpful to look 👀 at different parts of the American Revolution. For instance, the  Articles of Confederation Drag and Drop Activity is such a hands-on way 💻 for students to explore complex topics. Additionally, the activities will help students see the 👆 ups and downs 👇 that occurred during the establishment of the United States. Here, there are activities on the strengths and weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation and even the Northwest Ordinance.

 

The Declaration of Independence is such a complex topic to learn about. There are many people involved 👴👨👴 and several reasons for why it happened. Furthermore, there are endless complications that occurred during the Declaration development. Therefore, these 3 engaging strategies will greatly help break down the topic into one that all students can understand!

 

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Teach The 13 Colonies Like A Champ With The Help Of These Tips

 

The founding of the 13 colonies did not happen overnight. Additionally, it was not a smooth process 💣💥 There is just so much to teach middle school students about how America was actually developed. Additionally, this essential content occurs at a time in students' lives where their minds 🧠 and bodies are rapidly changing. Due to this, it is so important to incorporate their own interests, such as technology, when talking about content that occurred long ago. By following these 3 tips below, teaching about the 13 colonies will be interesting, rigorous, and thorough! 🙌

Explain the Founding of the 13 Colonies

The majority of middle school students 👦👧will not really know how America was formed. Additionally, many students may think all 50 states formed at once. Therefore, one of the joys of junior high 🏫 is teaching students how the world did not instantly develop. There were trials, tribulations, and a lot of compromises 🤝.

 

When teaching about the 13 colonies, it is important to start back at how they were founded 📓. One way to do this is to provide a quick overview. Middle school students do not have a long attention span. Therefore, this short video 🎥 on The Founding of the 13 Colonies is the perfect one to show. While it is short, it is powerful! It includes an incredible overview on how the colonies came about with strong visual aids.

Lay a Foundation at the Start of the Year

One of the goals of history 🌎 is to learn about the past and avoid making the same mistakes. Additionally, many concepts build upon each other 👷. Therefore, in order to learn about the individual colonies, a solid foundation should be taught from the beginning of the year. Students are going to consistently come back to the 13 colonies, so it is important they have a strong understanding 💯.

 

The 13 Colonies Drag and Drop resource is perfect 👍 to incorporate in lessons in order to ensure students truly know detailed information 🔍. This resource is best done after students have a general overview of the founding and the names of the colonies. This is due to how much information is packed into this digital resource 💁. Students will love 💖 the interactive component of drag and drop 💻 while learning 15 different aspects of the colonies! For example, students will learn about the reasons for founding, cash crops 💰🍞, and influential people. Students will love getting to have an in-depth exploration of the 13 colonies with an interactive resource!

Interactive Activities

Whenever students are engaged, they learn the information better 🧠. Ultimately, they are more focused 👀 on what is being taught versus daydreaming or doodling. Therefore, make activities interactive! For instance, in the resource above, students could have listened 👂 to a lecture about that information. However, the truth is that many middle school students would have been bored and ignored 😒😩 what was said. Hence, the drag and drop element is a great way to keep students focused and interested in the lesson!

 

Additionally, the Jamestown Online Adventure is a great way to challenge students. Here, they create their own colony 🏘 with the help of the London Company’s instructions. They can even ask other colonists and Native Americans for advice. By the end, students will see how hard it was to establish the colonies 😵 and common mistakes that were made.

 

Lastly, if activities are interactive, there is no worry about having to quickly change plans. If classes have to go virtual 💻, everything will be ready. Additionally, if students need to socially distance themselves 👦🠈🠊👧, they can each complete their own activities while still having fun in the classroom!

There is so much information to include when teaching about the 13 colonies. Between why the colonies were needed to the ups 👆 and downs 👇 that were constantly occurring, students can become confused 😕. However, by following the 3 tips above ✅, students will be excited to learn and they will be focused, engaged, and eager for the next lesson.

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