Expanding Horizons = Valuable Learning Experiences

I have recently coached my students through several unique learning experiences including competitions and field trips. Together we have learned how valuable these activities are for learning. Before this school year, most of my students had no idea that these opportunities even existed, but I think they are glad that they have expanded their horizons to see and do new things. Here are a few of the things we have been up to lately:

National History Day - In this competition students can create a website, build an exhibit, film a documentary, stage a performance, or write a paper on any topic in history that relates to the yearly theme. There are school, district, state, and national levels to the competition. All of the teams at my school qualified for the state competition, which was very exciting! These projects help students to build new skills and to be creative while learning.

Personal Finance Challenge - Students spend time studying all aspects of personal finance including insurance, banking, investments, home ownership, and more. This was great for the students because what 14 year old knows how a mortgage works?? My team of students will be well-prepared to step out into the world as adults in a few years thanks to their hard work to reach the state level in this competition. (I think I even learned some new things!)

Economics Challenge - This competition was similar to the Personal Finance Challenge. Students studied micro, macro, and world economics to compete at the state level. Wow, it was amazing to see so many teenagers discussing the economies of faraway countries that some 9th graders don't even know exist!

Stratford - We took our students to Stratford, Ontario to see a performance of Macbeth. This was the first live play that many of my students had ever watched. It is so awesome to incorporate the arts into our school!

I encourage all students to seek out new opportunities to have unique experiences. These types of activities can be fun and educational!

Trying New Things

One thing that I love about teaching is being creative and trying out new techniques. I have recently been experimenting with digital interactive notebooks, new review games, comic strips, and word walls. It has been fun coming up with these ideas and making them happen!

A comic strip depicting the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand. The spark that started WWI. Stick people are great!

This is a page from a U.S. History digital interactive notebook. Students type their notes in the windows and door of the tenement house. They are also required to find images online that represent this idea and past those pictures into three windows. It is truly interactive, and the engaging format helps students to better understand and remember what they have learned!

Students worked together to assemble a puzzle to review for a quiz.

I had a lot of fun one Sunday night when I created this colorful word wall for our WWI unit. Did you know that the Great War was caused by MANIA?

New Semester Excitement!

Many students are in the first weeks of a brand new semester. It is a great time to reflect on the previous semester and to make a plan for success as you finish the school year. Maybe you have a new class that you're not so sure about, or continuing a course that you struggled with last semester. Perhaps you aren't being challenged enough and want something to enrich your education so you can learn more deeply. If any of those describe you, you might want to look into my tutoring and enrichment courses. Click on the "Services" tab for more details.

I can even help you to learn more about extinct Cave Bears if that floats your boat!