World History for dummies
I call my WH classes “World History for dummies.” Not because the kids are dummies, but b/c I teach it so that even a dummy will get it (you know, like the book series). My goal: students will learn to embrace history, see its value and maybe . .. . just, maybe, enjoy it! This week, I’ve gotten several comments from students that have reinforced my ideas about differentiating instruction, specifically kinesthetic learning. This morning, at the end of class a student was asking me about her grade. As I looked up her information, she said: “You know, I thought this class was going to be boring. But its not. I’m having a lot of fun. And its easy”
I respond by saying, “well, I try . . . .i like to call it World History for dummies.” She smiles. I think she got it. I know she didn’t take it the wrong way (not when her average is 101%- bonus points quizzes.)
One of my homeroom students was asking about what we were doing later when we came to class. I told her, “book work.”
She’s like: “you’re kidding.”
“Nope. Book work.”
“Aw, man . . .this was my favorite of all my classes. I hate book work.” It was the first time, I’d given students book work all year. But I needed a day. . . I needed to work and I don’t have any other time to get it done. I am drowning. Literally. But I appreciated her comment. I try to create an environment where students are working for their learning. . . but there are “some” days and I feel guilty about it.
Today, my class did the graffiti walk to jigsaw a primary source reading. The kids liked it. During transition many were dancing around the room. I videotaped it. So, now I’ll have some fun stuff to include in our year end video. It was easy peasy to set up during their bellwork . . . I can’t wait to do this again.
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I talked to an AP today about my rant on yesterday. Nothing will happen. I know it won’t. But it felt good to get it off my chest!!!
Uncategorized | Miss Teacha | 
September 30, 2009 5:35 pm
5 Comments
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By Margaret, September 30, 2009 @ 5:54 pm
Good for you–for the rant, and for talking to the AP AND for assigning some book work. You know, college profs assign lots of that, and boring work–so they better get used to it.
By Frumteacher, October 1, 2009 @ 2:13 am
Thumbs up! Sometimes you have to make things easier for yourself in order to keep going. Your students thoroughly appreciate your class, so you are entitled to a ‘day off’ once in a while.
Maybe it’s because I’m not from the US, but what does AP mean? When I googled, I only reached the website of Associated Press
By Señorita in the City, October 1, 2009 @ 9:53 am
I love the idea of an end of the year video! I’m teaching an AP class for the first time this year too, and it would be so cute to have an end of year memory for us too watch after the hard work and test are over.
What sorts of things do you record?
By Miss Teacha, January 23, 2010 @ 8:34 am
I don’t know if I responded to the comments left on this post
@Frum: AP means Advanced Placement. Its supposed to be a college level course. At the end of the year, they take a test for college credit. If they score high enough they will receive college credit. Here is a link: http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/public/courses/index.html
@ Señorita in the City: I don’t remember if I responded to your comment, but in looking back I thought I should. For the end of the year video, I record class presentations, projects, group work, i take pictures of the students during classroom activities. Just a little of everything. If you email me privately, I’ll send you a link to the one from last year.