Modern Youth Taking Action and How to Inspire Your Students to Do the Same

One of my favorite memories from when I was a fourth-grade student was the day our teacher put us into groups and let us play in the sand.

When I taught first grade, a small grant allowed me to get funding to buy a hot plate, griddle, measuring utensils, pots, knives, bowls, cutting boards, and other necessities to introduce my students to flavors and aromas unknown to their senses.

Many students have trouble understanding the geographic context of United States history even though they can often relate the themes to their lives.

Interpreting political cartoons can be a real challenge for many students in the classroom.

How often do you step away from your social studies curriculum to get to know your students? Once a week? Once a month? Do you ever make specific plans or set aside specific time in your lessons to build meaningful, appropriate relationships with your kids?

Young children understand stories and love to have books read to them often to the point that they memorize and can recite a favorite story from memory.

Teachers should offer a wide variety of literacy support in their social studies curricula, otherwise students can fall behind.

Service learning has been a cornerstone of my educational approach for over a decade.

As educators we strive to provide students with hands-on learning opportunities as much as we can.