How to Make Significant Reading Gains with Social Studies Instruction
You have likely seen the recent headlines about pandemic learning loss, and the impacts of remote learning. The data from the National...
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Michelle McDonald
- Mar 14
10 Resources for Celebrating Women's History Month in Your Classroom
As we celebrate Women's History Month during the month of March, here are 10 helpful resources to help you uplift and celebrate the...
Michelle McDonald
- Feb 8
10 Helpful Resources for Teaching Black History in Your Classroom All Year
James Baldwin said, "Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced." As I am writing this, it...
Michelle McDonald
- Jan 10
5 Methods for Adding Movement to Your Social Studies Lessons
One of the most commonly asked questions I get is how to add more movement to social studies class. If you find that teaching social...
Michelle McDonald
- Dec 13, 2022
Helpful Tips for Facilitating an Effective Classroom Discussion
Small group discussions are a great concept, but they can quickly get out of hand if we simply release our students without guidance....
Michelle McDonald
- Nov 1, 2022
Resources for Celebrating National Native American Heritage Month in the Classroom
November is National Native American Heritage Month. This designation was passed by Congress and President George H.W. Bush in 1990. This...
Michelle McDonald
- Sep 13, 2022
Best Practice and Helpful Resources for Teaching the Holocaust in Middle School
Teaching the Holocaust in middle school is a powerful way to learn about the past in order to inform our future. If you plan to cover...
Michelle McDonald
- Jul 27, 2022
Boost Excitement for Social Studies During the First Week of School with this Activity
If you are looking for a back-to-school activity for your social studies class that is not cheesy or boring, I've got you covered. Set...
Michelle McDonald
- Jul 12, 2022
Teacher Communication Workshop: Gain Confidence & The Respect You Deserve
Do you struggle to communicate your needs to your admin, or spend hours trying to draft an email? This was me during my first year of...
Michelle McDonald
- Jun 9, 2022
Fostering an Inclusive Classroom: 10 Educator Resources for Pride Month
History is multifaceted. It is an exploration of the past while building an understanding of people, cultures, and the connections to our...
Michelle McDonald
- Jun 7, 2022
4 Book Recommendations for Teachers to Read During Summer Break 2022
This post contains affiliate links to make it easier for you to find the books shared in this post. I love reading, and I love sharing...
Michelle McDonald
- May 5, 2022
Resources for Celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. This is a great opportunity to uplift the contributions and rich history of...
Michelle McDonald
- Apr 19, 2022
A Helpful Best Practices Checklist for Social Studies Classroom Materials
Are you hanging onto some of those outdated resources that were left behind by the previous teacher? You know the ones. It’s spring...
Michelle McDonald
- Mar 8, 2022
8 Helpful Primary Source Websites for Teaching World History
Looking to move beyond the outdated social studies textbook? Using primary sources in your World History class provides so many...
Michelle McDonald
- Mar 1, 2022
6 Helpful Strategies for Discussing Current Events in the Classroom
When scary things are happening in the world around us, sometimes we may want to just get into the classroom and teach like nothing has...
Michelle McDonald
- Feb 22, 2022
Spark Curiosity and Interest in Your Social Studies Lesson Plans
Do you hear the grumble and complaints that social studies is so boring? It's most likely that your students haven't yet experienced...
Michelle McDonald
- Oct 5, 2021
What Stuck? Exit Ticket Idea for Your Social Studies Class
Exit tickets are a purposeful and reflective way to end class. If you teach bell-to-bell, add in this quick and easy informal assessment...
Michelle McDonald
- Sep 8, 2021
5 Tips for Fostering a Collaborative and Safe Social Studies Class
One of the most important steps we can take at the beginning of the year is time to build a positive classroom environment where all...
Michelle McDonald
- Aug 17, 2021
4 Must-Have Back to School Supplies for Every Classroom
Preparing for the school year can be daunting, especially if you are just beginning your teaching journey, or if you are switching grade...
Michelle McDonald
- Jul 6, 2021
8 Helpful Primary Source Websites for Teaching American History
If you want to move away from an outdated textbook or are in the process of piecing together lessons from the lack of a social studies...
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