Teen Novels that Teach History

Historical Novels for Teens and Teachers

History and literature go hand in hand.  It is through journals, diaries, and storytelling that history is passed down from generation to generation. There are novels, both fiction and non-fiction, that can be used to make history come alive for students. 

*Night John

Gary Paulsen’s “Night John” tells the story of Sarny. Sarny is a young slave girl who lives on a plantation somewhere in the South in the 1950’s.  Sarny’s mother has been sold, and she is being raised by another slave named Dealey. One day the Master purchases a new slave named John.  John is unlike the other slaves because he can read and write which is against the law. Although he had escaped from slavery earlier, Night John has returned to the South to teach the other slaves how to read and write.

The book was first published in 1993. It can be used to teach about the slavery, the Civil War, and the importance of reading.  It can also be used to compare and contrast the lives of African slaves with those of the indentured servants that helped settle the first colonies in America. 

*To Kill a Mockingbird

“To Kill a Mockingbird” is the thought provoking book by Harper Lee.  It is set in 1936 in Maycomb, Alabama during the Great Depression. It is centered around the trial of Tom Robinson, a young black man who is accused of rape. It is told from the point-of-view of Scout, a teen year old girl, and it is based on the events surrounding “The Scottsboro Trials”.

“To Kill a Mockingbird” is a heartwarming novel.  It is rich with humor and innocence even though it discusses the serious social issue of rape. “To Kill a Mockingbird” can be used to discuss the effects of the Great Depression in America.  It can also be used to discuss Jim Crow laws, “The Scottsboro Trials”, racial inequality, and even the judicial system. 

*She Said Yes

“She Said Yes: The Unlikely Martyrdom of Cassie Bernall” by Misty Bernall is the true story of Cassie Bernall.  Cassie Bernall is one of the victims of the Columbine High School shooting.  The book is based on witnesses’ reports that Cassie was praying when one of the shooters asked her if she believed.  Cassie reportedly said, “Yes, I believe” just before she was fatally shoot. 

Teachers can use this incredible sad novel to teach about the Columbine High School shooting and other similar acts of terrorism. 

*Out of the Dust

This novel by Karen Hesse is set in Oklahoma from 1934-1935 during the Dust Bowl.  It is about the life of Billie Jo and her family.  Although times are tough and the neighbors are all running away from the land and the endless dust, her father insists that they tough it out.  Unfortunately, they cannot win against the relentless dust, and one innocent mistake has disastrous results. 

“Out of the Dust” can be used to teach about life during the Great Depression and the Dust Bowls.  It can also be used to discuss the causes of the Dust Bowl and the things that the government and farmers did to try to stop them.

*Briar Rose

“Briar Rose” by Jane Yolen starts when Rebecca Berlin’s grandmother “Gemma” dies.  Rebecca becomes curious about her grandmother’s past and begins to ask questions about Gemma and the strange story she always told Rebecca at bedtime.  It is the German fairytale, “The Briar Rose” an alternate to “The Sleeping Beauty”.  The novel moves back and forth between the present and the past.  Rebecca eventually learns that her grandmother is actually a survivor of the Holocaust.

“Briar Rose” is an alternative to the traditional books used to teach students about on the Holocaust. It can be used to discuss World War II, the Holocaust, and Jewish culture.

*Sarah Plain and Tall

Written by Patricia MacLachlan, “Sarah, Plain, and Tall” is about life in the West during the 19^th century.  A widower, Jacob Witting, decides to place an ad for a mail-order bride to help him raise his two children Caleb and Anna.  Sarah, a tall and plain woman from Maine, comes to answer Jacob’s advertisement. 

This short novel can be used with young teenagers and tweens to teach about life in the Old West.  It can also be the basis for a discussion on “mail-order brides”.  The teacher can discuss the reason someone would become a mail-order bride and why western farmers would find the need to place an advertisement for a wife.

*Call of the Wild

Jack London’s “Call of the Wild” is a novel about a dog named Buck.  Buck is a family dog that is kidnapped from his home in California and taken to the Yukon to work as a sled dog.  The story takes place during the Klondike Gold Rush.  Buck learns the brutal lessons of life as a sled dog. Buck’s instincts help him to become one with the wilderness.

This novel can be used to discuss the Klondike and the California Gold Rush.  Students can also examine the effects of the discovery of gold on California’s demographics and economy. 

There are many different novels that are not just fun to read. They are also a great way to spice up any history lesson.  

Teacher Interview Tips: How to Land that Teaching Job

 

 

The school year is drawing to a close and some of you may have decided that the place you are currently employed is not the place you want to be employed when school starts again next year. So, you have decided to hit the pavement and look for another teaching position. If you are one of these educators, there are some things you should do as you prepare for your interview.

Teacher Beware

Be warned. Some principals have confessed to monitoring interviewees from the moment they get out of the car. Why? So they can see if you appear energetic or if you appear disinterested or bored. These principals also intentionally show up a few minutes late in order to see how you will handle the time while you are waiting. So, don’t just go to the interview. Appear excited from the time that you get out of the car until the time that you finish the interview. Bring along some material that you can read while you wait for your interview to begin.

Know Your Strengths and Weaknesses

I have been asked over and over again at teaching interviews what is my greatest strength and what do I feel is my weakness. So, don’t be surprised when you are asked this questioned. Think about this before you go to the interview and have an answer readily available. Sell yourself to your interviewer. Highlight all of your accomplishments. However, don’t say that you don’t have any weakness. Principals and interview team members are checking your intergrity. They have already called your former employers and checked your record. Remember everyone has at least one weakness. It is okay to mention one “minor” problem that you might have. However, don’t give your interviewer reasons not to hire you.

The Reason You Left Your Old Job

This is a question is to be expected at any job interview. So, you be prepared to answer.  Be as honest as you can, but as careful as possible. Again, don’t give the interviewer a reason not to hire you. They want a team player so make sure that you don’t bad mouth your boss or co-workers. How do you handle discipline in your classroom?

Test Scores

Test scores rule the teaching world. You can’t escape them if you work in a public school. Be prepared to answer questions about your test scores record. Also, be prepared to discuss how you plan to contribute to increasing the school’s test scores.

Sample Work

Take samples of your students’ work, lesson plans, and other activities with you. Combine this into a portfolio and have it handy at your interview.

Before you head off to that teaching interview, be prepared.

For more tips, read my other article.
http://www.careerpath360.com/index.php/common-teacher-interview-questions-79/

M-STAR Survival Tips for Educators

M-STAR: Some Quick Tips on What You can Do to Survive Your Evaluation

Mississippi Statewide Teacher Appraisal Rubric is the new method of evaluation classroom teachers in Mississippi. M-STAR evaluations include two formal evaluations and at least five walk-through evaluations. This system is designed to help teachers reflect upon their own teaching methods and to provide quick, meaningful feedback. Whether you are new to the classroom or a veteran educators, the new system can be confusing. Instead of constantly worrying about your evaluation, use some of these tips to plan ahead.

Individualized Teaching

M-STAR is all about making the student the focus of learning. One of the main things you will want to do is to individualize your teaching to fit each of your students. Have activities for your visual learners, your kinesthetic learners, and your auditory learners. Have a center where you are stationed to help your struggling learners.

Technology

You can’t escape the computer age. The new teacher evaluation system wants to see you use technology in your classroom. So, incorporate the computer, promethium board, netbooks, or eBooks into your lesson plans. There are tons of computer programs that you can use to do this. You can also have your students take interactive quizzes on line. Make sure that when you are being evaluated that you show your evaluator that you do work with technology.

Print Rich Environment

It doesn’t matter which subject you teach. Having a print rich environment is a must. Create a print rich environment in your classroom by having books, magazines, posters, ankle charts, and other reading material on your subject area readily available and in plain view. You can even opt to section off an area of your room where books and magazines on various topics are displayed. Your students are bound to come across something that they may want to read.

Across the Curriculum

It has been said that no man is an island. Well, teaching is no longer a one man show. Teachers are no longer expected to just teach their own subject area and move on. You are now expected to teach across the curriculum. You must be sure to integrate other subject areas into your lessons. It is also a plus when you hang posters or student work that displays the incorporation of other disciplines.

Make Connection to Real World

Students always want to know what the subject has to do with them or why they have to learn something. So, it is important to make a real world connection. If you are teaching a book, be sure to compare the book to a real life situation or experience that you have had. Then, allow your students to briefly share their experiences that connect with the subject of your lesson.

Explain the Objective

Before you dive into the lesson for the day, explain what you will be teaching. Explain why it is important, and make those real world connections.

Questions Please

The new M-STAR evaluation requires teachers to think about the way they question their students. Instead of asking questions that require simple responses, M-Star encourages educators to ask questions that require students to use their critical thinking skills and creativity.

Safety

As teachers, most of us are more concerned with teaching the lesson than checking out our classroom. Well, we must begin to do a quick evaluation of your classrooms. Check to see if the room is safe for students and yourself. Are there book bags in the aisles? Are there other things that can pose safety hazards? These things must be addressed before your evaluation.

No Down Time

Do not allow any downtime for the students. Activities should flow smoothly. So, plan accordingly.

Make Corrections

Be sure to handle any disciplinary problems in your classroom quickly and promptly. Post classroom rules throughout your room, and make sure that they are visual. Refer to your rules throughout your class.

Procedure

Make sure that you have taught your students classroom procedure. The person doing your evaluation will look for these things as they are observing your class.

M-STAR evaluations can be scary. Know what to expect and plan accordingly.

http://mpbonline.org/News/article/inside_mississippi_teacher-evaluations
http://home.mds.k12.ms.us/docs/rocurement-library/m-star-system-guide.pdf

Educational Things to Do with Your Children on a Snow Day

Snow is falling, and the kids are all out of school. However, you don’t want a snow day to turn into a wasted day. Make this frosty day an educational experience for your children. Are you wondering how? The following are some fun and educational ideas you can use on snow days.

Weather charts

Let your children experience the fun of being a meteorologist on those wintry days. Use the newspaper or the Weather Channel to chart the weather. You can have your children begin with the days leading up to your snow day or you can opt to do a 5 or 7 day forecast that includes a few days after your snow day. You can then let your children give you and the rest of the family their broadcast.

Research snow

Although the local library may be closed, you can still do some research. Have your children research snow formation and other winter weather. They can write a report about what they have learned or simply verbally share the information that they find with you and the rest of the family.

Compose poems

Snow days are great times to catch up on some writing. Your little poets can compose poems about snow, weather, and other fun parts of winter. If they don’t like cold weather, they can write poems about the problems that such wintry weather causes.

Write narratives

While your children have their pencils and composition notebooks out, they can also compose personal narratives about their snowy day. Have them include as many sensory details as possible.

Comparison/Contrast

Winter and summer are opposites. You can use the differences between these two seasons to have your children compose comparison/contrast essays. Have them brainstorm fun activities that can be performed in both winter and summer. You can then have them think of activities that can only be done during each particular season. Once your children have completed their brainstorming lists, they are all set to write.

Snowy Adventures

Who said that snow fights can’t be educational? Wrap your kids up and let them enjoy a few moments in the snow. Once they are finished, they can compose a short fictional story based on their adventure.

Newspaper articles

Snowy weather can also result in many interesting newspaper articles. Take those snowy headlines and turn them into educational experiences for your snowbound kids. Have them read articles from the paper and then write brief summaries about them. You can also allow them to write their responses to these articles.

Don’t let a snow day stop your children from learning. Turn each moment in the snow into a learning adventure using some of the activities listed above.

http://www.weatherwizkids.com/weather-winter-storms.htm

http://voices.yahoo.com/creative-unique-ways-teenager-write-11963027.html

Federal Income Tax Tips for Teachers

As tax time approaches, I know all of us are thinking of refunds. As teachers, we spend a large part of the money we make on supplies. So, this year get some of your money back by filing those things that you spent money on during the school year. Are you wondering just what you can write off? Here are a few:
1. book you bought for your classroom
2. any supplies you bought for your classroom like paper, pens, computer ink, typing paper
3. gas mileage for your drive to work
4. your clothes or uniform that you bought to wear to work
5. any professional magazines or subscriptions that you have
6. professional development workshops
7. professional memberships like National Teachers of America, Mississippi Association of Educators
*8. your phone if you used it to call parents, do school business, or connect to the internet to find lesson plans.
*9. your computer if you used it to do lesson plans or other school related activities.

***Please note that to write off your phone or computer you need to have kept a log of your school related activities. If you didn't keep up with your computer activity, you can still retrieve it from your computers history. This should tell you which dates your were on school related websites. Can you prove you used your phone to contact parents. Fortunately, I can because I have to keep a parent log that lists the date of parental contact. This keeps up with which parents I called. If you didn't keep a good log last year, you can this year.

*** Be sure to check with your tax preparer.

You can find more information at:
http://www.ehow.com/list_6819304_common-tax-deductions-teachers.html

Welcome Teachers

Hi. I would like to welcome all of you teachers to my blog. Unlike my other blog, this one is dedicated to things that involve teaching, education, and parenting tips. I hope you all continue to visit my site and enjoy.