Why You Should Teach the Geography of Ancient Civilizations First
When diving into a new ancient civilization, it can be tempting to jump straight to kings, inventions, and famous battles. I’ve found that starting with
Teacher Tips
Teaching River Civilizations: Your Step by Step Guide
Teaching ancient civilizations is one of my favorite parts of the school year. There’s something about diving into the mysteries of pyramids, ancient scripts, and
The Benefits of Using Pre and Post Tests When Teaching Ancient Civilizations
Teaching ancient civilizations in middle school is such an exciting journey. You get to transport your students across time. They get to walk through the
9 Back to School Must Haves for Teachers
Starting a new school year is always a mix of excitement, nerves, and a to-do list a mile long. I remember how overwhelming it could
Interactive Maps: Bring U.S. Geography to Life in the Classroom
In many of our classrooms, we have pull-down maps on the wall. Let’s be honest about how they rarely see much action. Maybe they get
Top Tips and Resources for Effective Test Prep Success
Taking tests isn’t at the top of any kid’s list of favorite things to do. Whether it is the annual standardized test or an end
My First Year Teacher Story
It was the summer of 1998, and I had attended at least 30 interviews looking for the school where I could establish myself as a
The Perfect Sub Plans: Everything You Need to Get Prepared
Ah, it’s that time of year when germs seem to be lurking around every corner. One minute, you’re feeling fine. The next, you’re waking up
How to Effectively Use Color in the Classroom
If you asked my first year teaching self about the impact of color on my students’ learning, I probably would have given you a generic
Podcast for Teachers: The Teaching Toolbox Podcast
I’m excited to take you on a journey into the world of teacher podcasts. I stumbled upon podcasts quite unexpectedly. You see, I’ve always been
End of Year Celebrations to Engage Your Middle Schoolers
As the year ends, it’s time to plan activities that celebrate students’ accomplishments and the progress made over the past nine months. Recognizing their hard
Effectively Using Repsonse Cards for Formative Assessment
Formative assessment is one of the most valuable tools we have as teachers because it gives us real-time insight into how our students are doing.