Class starts, and everyone’s waiting to see what kind of space this is going to be. They’re hoping it’s not the kind of class that kicks off with a full-body reading of the syllabus—or makes them question why they even showed up. And hey—Sociology delivers. Because this isn’t just another class about names and dates. […]

The first day of Economics class can feel like a gamble. Some students signed up because they’re curious about the economy. Others heard it was “an easy senior elective.” A few are there by accident, mistaking it for Accounting or Personal Finance The best way to kick off an on-level or AP Economics course? Not […]

The first day of U.S. History class can be nerve-wracking. Students slump into their seats, scanning for friends, sizing you up, and hoping you don’t ask them to talk too much.  A few kids already love history.  Some barely passed it last year. And more than a few are thinking, “Why do we even need […]

I’ve started the first day of school in dozens of ways over the years. You know, the soft launch.The syllabus speech. The expectations talk. The “go-around-the-room-and-say-your-name-plus-fun-fact” icebreaker that makes teens recoil in horror. I’ve done them all. But here’s the truth: none of those approaches actually made my students care about history. And they definitely […]

Let’s be real: the first few days of Civics or AP Government are full of silent judgment. Some students are already thinking, “Ugh, this is going to be so boring.” Others are eyeing the syllabus, wondering, “Do I have to memorize all these amendments?”   And in AP classes especially, kids are thinking: “How much […]

“I already won the lottery. I was born in the U-S of A baby.” – Creed Bratton This quote from The Office is one of my favorites and I post it every year on the 4th of July. It’s funny and I love this country. Now, just because I believe America is the best, doesn’t […]

It’s that time of year when people start posting their favorite Martin Luther King, Jr quotes. They’re always the same, “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.“ or “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” Yes, these are excellent quotes. But […]

I get it. You’re a high school social studies teacher trying to help your English Language Learners. And it’s hard. But it can be easier than you think. I’m here to help you along the way. The secret weapon in your arsenal is SIOP’s Lesson Delivery Component. This strategy can help your ELLs excel in […]

Now that you’re deep in the SIOP Series, let’s dive into the Practice & Application component of the Sheltered Instruction Observation Protocol (SIOP) model. (Oh, you have read the other posts in the series? Check them out here: Lesson preparation, Building Background, Comprehensible Input, Strategies). It will help you make exciting lessons for English Language […]