Teaching With Movies - World War II

Because there are so many amazing  movies related to the topics I cover in my secondary U.S. and World History classes I offer extra credit to students who watch them. Since I am currently teaching World War II, here are the student-friendly films I suggest to my students:

Monuments Men Wind Talkers Red Tails Twelve O'Clock High Tuskegee Airmen South Pacific Patton Midway Memphis Bell Fat Man and Little Boy Judgement at Nuremberg The Longest Day A Midnight Clear Swing Kids Saving Private Ryan Fat Man and Little Boy Pearl Harbor

Ballad of a Soldier Hiroshima Maiden Judgement at Nuremberg The Longest Day The Sound of Music The White Rose The Diary of Anne Frank Europa! Europa! Schindler's List Midway Tora! Tora! Tora! Casablanca The Pianist Seven Years in Tibet Truman Swing Kids Pearl Harbor Saving Private Ryan

Effective Classroom Management Strategies

I have been a Master Teacher for more than 10 years and it is a very rewarding experience.  The #1 problem my student-teachers face in the classroom is learning and using effective classroom management strategies. The Universities that many student-teachers attend often  focus more on lesson planning than classroom management. Unfortunately, one could create the best lesson on paper, but if effective classroom management strategies are not used, the lesson will not work. So, before my student teacher takes over the classroom we review and practice the following classroom management strategies that I find most effective:

1. Have a few classroom rules:   Here are my rules:

            1) Everyone, including the teacher, will be treated with respect.

            2) Put-downs or purposely hurtful comments or actions will not be
                tolerated.

            3) No one will be allowed to disrupt the learning process of others.

2. Have clear consequences: For example:
          First Infraction: Warning
          Second Infraction: Conference with the Teacher
          Third Infraction: Teacher Detention
          Fourth Infraction or Defiance: Referral to VP
   
Be sure to be fair and consistent with your consequences. If you say your are going to do something, then be sure to do it!
   
3. Procedures, Procedures, Procedures. It is vital to have a procedure for everything your students do in the classroom, from how students are to enter the classroom, to how they get into their groups, even how they ask a question. If you create and practice procedures in the first month of school, by the second month your class will be a "well oiled machine"!

4. Use proximity. If you notice a student is off task,  instead of disrupting the lesson by asking the student to get back on task, simply move towards that student. Most likely, the student will get back on task without you having to say a word.

5. Use whole-class positive narration. Instead of focusing on students who are off task, give attention to those students who are on task. This will remind the off-task students what they need to be doing without taking your attention off the entire class. For example, "Thank you Jennifer for taking your items off your desk". Or, "I appreciate those of you who are reading the directions".

6. Delegate Tasks. A teacher needs to focus on the classroom as much as possible. Therefore, be sure to delegate tasks to the students so you can focus on the class. For example, I have a specific place in my room where students go to get their absent work. I also post all of my assignments on-line. Therefore, I don't have to spend any time with students who have been absent.

7. "Ask 3 Before Me" strategy. If students have questions about directions, homework, etc. have the students ask three other students before they ask you. This will make sure you can focus on the entire class rather then specific individuals.

8. Build Rapport. One of the best classroom management tools is to build rapport with the students. If the students know that you care and respect them, they will often care and respect you. They will want to be good for you. Stand by the door when the students enter the classroom and engage them in quick conversations. Compliment the students. Take a few minutes of class time to have the students get to know you on a personal basis. For example, tell them about what you did over the weekend and ask them the same.

9. Get their Attention. When you want to get your students attention, have a procedure in place to do that. For example, you might ring a bell, hold up your hand and have the students do the same, clap and have your students repeat the number of claps until all students have your attention. Once you have their attention give directions from the same spot in the room. Never try to talk over the students. If the students begin talking, wait to talk until they have stopped. Use positive reinforcement often. For example, "Thank you for your attention". "Thank you for being quiet while I am talking". Respect goes along way, especially with high-school students.

10. Be assertive. Many of my student-teachers are only a few years older than my high-school seniors. So, they must be assertive and have a commanding presence. The way you speak and carry yourself can go along way in commanding the classroom.

Student Grade Progress Analysis

The first quarter just ended and Benchmark Test scores are in! I am excited that most of my students received advanced and proficient on their tests…I guess I am doing something right! At this time in the school year I have my secondary U.S. History and Civics students complete the Grade Progress Chart. On this form, each student keeps track of their yearly State Test, quarterly Benchmarks and unit tests.  Each month, they analyze their test scores and determine what they can do to improve their grades. My students keep this form in their Interactive Notebook. It’s rewarding to see my students get excited when they improve their scores.

What similar strategies do you use in your classroom? 

 

The American Revolution Video

This is a funny and entertaining video when you teach the American Revolution.

 

 

 

See my  product on my TpT store:

EKG Timeline -American Revolution Activity

My First Blog Post

My first blog post!

 Wow! I can’t believe I am finally writing my first blog post. I am a history teacher and would like to share some strategies that really work – they really do!!!

I don’t know about you, but sometimes my teaching strategies act as a sleeping potion for  my often struggling students. Often I feel energized and on top of the world.  Other times, however, I fall flat on my face and wonder if I have created brain damage.  With a lot of trial and error I have learned a world full of unique and entertaining strategies for getting the mystery out of history – my students even like it!
 

A little bit about myself…. I am currently teaching 11^th grade U.S. History and 12^th grade Civics.  Since I have obtained my credential I have taught just about every secondary social science subject: 7^th grade World History, 8^th grade U.S. History, 9^th grade Honors World History, 10^th grade World History, 11^th grade U.S. History, 12^th grade Economics, 12^th grade Civics, 12^th grade Civics online and an Adult Ed. Citizenship class. You could say, “I’ve been around!”

I am currently teaching in an urban school district in Southern California. Most of my students are English language learners and often severely economically deprived.

I am a Master Teacher, Teacher Coach, Department Chair and a member of the Leadership Team at my school. Because I am part of the Leadership team I am the first group of teachers who get trained in the current, research-based, teaching strategies.

Because of my extensive training, I am able to use a wide variety of teaching strategies including Gradual Release of Responsibility, Constructing Meaning, SDAIE, Cornell Notes, Costa's Questions, etc…  Because of the new teaching techniques I have learned, I no longer get those blank stares and robotic head nods.

 So, if you are struggling for new ideas and activities to keep your students from severe clock watching, you might find my ideas helpful.  Not only are my students awake, they are interested and having fun. They are also learning something.  Wow!!!

 You may be wondering, how can I get some of these new strategies?  You have come to the right place.  I will also be sharing some of my successful teaching strategies and giving away free items on my blog. I am also a “teacherprenuer” and I sell my teaching techniques and strategies on my website -TeachersPayTeachers.com. You too can make your history classroom fun and exciting! But, don’t spend hours “re-inventing the wheel”. Follow my blog and you will get everything you need to make history fun!

Please check out my store:

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Chalk-Dust-Diva

Please consider “following” me. I am constantly posting new items, conducting sales and giving away free activities!

Chalk Dust Diva