Introduction:

As we approach November 11th, the significance of Veterans Day takes center stage in our classrooms. It’s a time to educate our students about the sacrifices made by the brave men and women who’ve served in the armed forces. To help you commemorate this day with a visually impactful and educational project, we’re excited to introduce our Veterans Day Research Poster Project. This engaging lesson is perfect for grades 8th-12th and homeschoolers, and it provides an excellent opportunity for students to honor American veterans through original illustrations, commemorative coins, and heartfelt poems. In this blog post, we’ll explore the importance of Veterans Day and how our lesson can help you make the most of this occasion.

Why Veterans Day Matters:

• Veterans Day, celebrated on November 11th, is a time to honor and thank all the men and women who have served in the United States Armed Forces.
• It’s a day to recognize their bravery, sacrifices, and dedication to preserving our freedoms and protecting our nation.

The Veterans Day Research Poster Project:

Our Veterans Day Research Poster Project is designed to make learning about this important day both meaningful and creative. Here’s what it entails:

1.  Visually Impactful Artwork: 

• This project features two original illustrations that depict American veterans, capturing the essence of their service and sacrifice.
• Teachers have the option to either print the color versions or have students add a personal touch by coloring the black and white versions.

2. Commemorative Coins:

• Students can design their own commemorative coins that honor veterans. This not only promotes artistic expression but also teaches students the value of gratitude.
• They can research the symbolism and significance of different elements on the coin, such as flags, eagles, and military emblems.

3. Heartfelt Poems:

• Poetry is a powerful medium for expressing emotions and gratitude. Our lesson encourages students to write heartfelt poems dedicated to veterans.
• They can explore various poetic styles and learn about the power of words in conveying their appreciation.

Individual or Group Projects:

• Our lesson is flexible, allowing students to work individually or in groups. This promotes teamwork and collaboration, enabling students to learn from each other’s perspectives.

Classroom Display:

• One of the best parts of this project is showcasing the creative masterpieces your students produce. Create an impactful display in your classroom, so students can take pride in their work and share it with their peers.

Conclusion:

As teachers, we play a crucial role in teaching our students about the significance of Veterans Day and the importance of honoring those who have served our country. Our Veterans Day Research Poster Project is a fantastic way to engage students in this process while promoting creativity and understanding. By using this lesson, you can instill a deep sense of gratitude and respect in your students, all while creating an impressive classroom display that celebrates our heroes. Make this Veterans Day one to remember by incorporating our project into your curriculum!

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What is Bell Work?

Bell work, also known as “bell ringers” or “morning work,” is a quick activity that students complete as soon as they enter the classroom. It’s a fantastic way to kickstart the day, set a positive tone, and get students thinking from the moment they walk through the door. While most teachers implement some form of bell work, wouldn’t it be great to have a one-stop template that covered everything from student mindfulness to test assessment? Then this pdf Weekly Bell Work Template FREEBIE is just for!

Bell Work Prompts

Now, let’s explore how our Weekly Bell Work Template can elevate your classroom routine.

• Mindful Mondays: Start the week with mindfulness. Encourage your students to reflect on their weekend, positive intentions, or something they are grateful for. It’s a perfect way to create a calm and focused atmosphere at the start of the week.
• Texting Tuesday: Bring a modern twist to your classroom with Texting Tuesday. Ask students to summarize learned concepts by writing within the cell phone illustration. This activity not only allows students to write what they have learned for the day but gives teachers an opportunity to gauge student comprehension.
• Wordsmith Wednesday: On Wednesdays, help broaden student vocabulary via Wordsmith Wednesday. Have students explore new vocabulary words and practice correct use of the term by writing their own unique sentence(s). Wordsmith Wednesday will add a creative flair to your student’s weekly routine and help further develop their vocabulary.
• Test Question Thursday: Prepare your students for future assessments with Test Question Thursday. This bell work allows students to take ownership of their own work by having them develop, write, and create their own test questions. This activity will help students solidify their understanding of the content with the advantage of potentially seeing their test generated questions on a future assessment.
• Friday in Film: Finally, end the week with some student created art! Friday in Film allows students to connect their learning and display it through three illustrations depicting major concepts learned throughout the week’s.

Conclusion

Transforming your classroom routine doesn’t have to be a daunting task. Our Weekly Bell Work Template is here to simplify the process while making it enjoyable for both you and your students. By incorporating these creative prompts into your daily routine, you’ll foster a positive classroom environment and set your students up for success.

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September 11th is a date etched in the memory of every American, a day that forever changed the course of history. It’s a day that history teachers can use as an opportunity to educate their middle to high school students about the significance of Patriot Day. In this blog post, we’ll explore the meaning behind Patriot Day and provide four simple ways students can commemorate this day, both inside and outside of the classroom.

Meaning Behind Patriot Day

Patriot Day, observed annually on September 11th, is a day of remembrance and reflection. It was established to honor the memory of the nearly 3,000 innocent lives lost in the terrorist attacks that occurred on September 11, 2001. The attacks, which targeted the World Trade Center in New York City and the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., marked a pivotal moment in American history.

Patriot Day serves as a reminder of the resilience and unity that emerged in the face of adversity. It is a day to pay tribute to the first responders, firefighters, police officers, and ordinary citizens who selflessly risked their lives to help others in the aftermath of the attacks.

5 Simple Ways for Students to Commemorate Patriot Day

1. Observe a Moment of Silence: Encourage your students to start the day with a moment of silence in remembrance of the victims of 9/11.
2. Classroom Discussions and Projects: Foster meaningful discussions in your history class about the events of 9/11, its impact on the nation, and how it changed the world. Share stories of heroism and resilience to inspire your students.
3. Write Letters of Appreciation: Encourage students to write letters of appreciation to first responders, veterans, or military personnel as a way to express gratitude for their service. You can help facilitate this by providing contact information for local organizations.
4. Participate in a Service Project: Organize or participate in a community service project on or around Patriot Day. Activities such as volunteering at a local shelter, cleaning up a park, or collecting donations for a charity can help students connect with the spirit of unity and service that emerged after 9/11.

By helping your students understand the meaning of Patriot Day and providing simple ways to commemorate it, you can empower them to connect with the history and values that define this important day in American history.

The post Understanding and Commemorating Patriot Day appeared first on Deconstructing History.

Building a strong classroom community is essential for a successful academic year, and it starts with getting to know your students on a personal level. Let’s explore effective strategies that will help you connect with your students and foster a supportive and engaging learning environment.

1. All About Me Activities

Kickstart the school year with fun “All About Me” activities. For instance, “All About Me” questionnaires and brochures help tailor your lessons to students’ interests, making the content more engaging and relevant.

2. Personalized Welcome Letters

Write personalized welcome letters to each student before the school year begins. Address students by name, mention a few of their interests based on previous given surveys and express your enthusiasm for having them in your class. This simple gesture can demonstrate that you genuinely care about your students as individuals.

3. Create Classroom Norms

Involve your students in creating classroom norms and agreements. Conduct a discussion about mutual respect, responsibility, and inclusivity, allowing them to contribute their ideas and suggestions. Ultimately by having a hand in shaping the classroom environment, students will feel a sense of ownership and be more inclined to follow the established rules.

4. Morning Meetings

Implement daily morning meetings to set a positive tone for the day. Use this time to check in with students, discuss any concerns or triumphs, and share something positive. A few minutes of meaningful interaction at the beginning of each day can make a significant impact on the classroom dynamic.

Conclusion

By implementing these back-to-school strategies you can create a welcoming and inclusive classroom environment. Furthermore, fostering a strong classroom community not only enhances student engagement but also supports academic achievement and social-emotional development.

The post Back-to-School Strategies for Teachers appeared first on Deconstructing History.

Step 1: Keep a positive outlook.

I know what you’re thinking…easier said than done. However, in order to move forward it’s imperative to put your best foot forward. Think about those things that bring about joy this time of year. Whether it’s seeing your co-workers again, decorating your classroom, or developing exciting lesson plans – it’s the small things that can adjust our mood. Therefore, be mindful every single day. Those “little wins” go a long way in bringing happiness and excitement to the job.

Step 2: Get your To Do list ready.

It’s easy to become overwhelmed with all the tasks that need to be done before students enter the classroom. It seems like educators are tasked with learning and doing so much that it makes it difficult to stay focused. Therefore, keeping a calendar, checklist, or good old notebook to jot down all your to-dos, is essential and will prove handy in keeping you organized. It will allow for you to also prioritize those tasks that are most important and keep manageable deadlines.

Step 3: Respect your time.

Being a great educator means not only having a plan for success but making the best use of your time in the process. It’s not necessary to “reinvent the wheel” year in and year out. If you’re teaching the same grade level and or courses, reuse those lessons that worked well in the past. Or tweak those activities that had great potential and when possible, work with your fellow teachers and slit up tasks. Gather resources from professional development classes or attended conferences. And yes, look for free or low-cost lessons on marketplaces like teacher blogs, TeachersPayTeachers (Tpt), or Etsy to name a few. In order to have a proper work/life balance its of great importance that you respect your time and demand others do the same.

Step 4: Take it one day at a time.

As they say, “Rome wasn’t built in a day” and thus hitting the pinnacle of the teaching profession will not happen overnight and that is okay! It’s easy to fall in the trap of thinking you’re not doing enough or pushing yourself hard enough. But the truth is that you have to take things one day at a time or the inevitable burn out will happen. Whether this is year 2 or 32 under your belt, take time for yourself and recognize when you’ve reached your daily limit. And lastly, don’t forget to simply enjoy the act of teaching others!

The post How to Prepare for a New School Year appeared first on Deconstructing History.

#1 Acrostic Poems

Acrostic Poems – I keep this little gem in my repertoire because it’s so easy to design and implement in any classroom, regardless of the content you teach.  It not only gets students thinking and writing, but it serves as a wonderful review of content you’ve already covered in your class.  For example, I normally have students complete it them for month long observances (i.e., Black History Month, Women’s History Month, and the like).  Here are some extra tips to make the most out of acrostic poems:

• Give students a list of vocabulary words you would like them to use throughout the assignment.  This will give students a starting point and will align with your states teaching standards.  In addition, you can create a straightforward rubric based on the terms used.  For instance, if you have students write about Women’s History Month you can include terms like: Nineteenth amendment, abolitionists, Rosa Parks, Susan B. Anthony, marches, etc.
• Have students draw an illustration that captures the essence of the poem. 
• Create the poem together as a class by assigning groups of students the letter they are supposed to create a line for.  This keeps it fun and brings unity into the classroom. 
• The final poem can be laminated and placed on a bulletin board for all to see. 

What Are Your Thoughts?

Have you ever tried this activity in your classroom?  What have students enjoyed the most?  Is there another variation of this activity you implement in your classroom?  Are there any worksheets you would love to see created to help bring these lessons to life?  Comment below and let us know! And stay tuned for more in our “Activities We Love” series.

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When I choose to create Deconstructing History, the first thing I did was make a “why” list. I made it a point to really understand why I was doing it and why I felt it could not only help me, but also those who chose to either buy my products or simply join me on this journey.

Why Did I Ultimately Want to Open a Tpt Store?

Here are just some of the reasons I started Deconstructing History and corresponding Tpt store.

• I wanted to create something of my own.
• I found that writing and lesson creating were tools that helped me decompress from a hectic day.
• I yearned to learn new things and feel the satisfaction from both trying and potentially succeeding!
• I wanted to share the many things I had learned over the course of my teaching career with others.

Those were just a few of the reasons as to why I decided to take the plunge. Regardless of any financial benefit, the process of creating has provided me so much more than I could ever have imagined. Therefore, make your “why” list before setting forth on your journey. You may surprise yourself and stumble upon an even greater reward. Cheers to new beginnings!

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The Power of Fear

I’ve really never lacked self-motivation or love for the art of teaching. However, I was bombarded with every possible scenario like:

• I can’t possibly create something that hasn’t already been done!
• What if no one likes my lesson plans?
• How do I know I’m doing this right?
• I’m a teacher…not some tech guru.
• Where can I possibly find the time while juggling my fulltime job and being a spouse and loving mom to my young children?

You name it, I thought it. Yet it occurred to me that in my failure to launch, I was denying myself the chance to learn new things, help others in the teaching field, and the opportunity to share some of my most beloved history lesson plans. And just like that, I made the conscious decision to simply try to share those lessons I found so interactive, simple, and fun in hopes that others would too. So, thanks to all those who have believed in me and those of you out there who are willing to embark on the ride!

Are You Ready to Begin?

If you feel like you’re ready but are wondering where to begin, then please check out my next blog post where I delve into how knowing your “why” can give you a roadmap towards your immediate and future goals. It’s imperative to formulate a solid plan in order to help you move forward.

The post The Journey to Starting My Teachers Pay Teacher (Tpt) Store appeared first on Deconstructing History.