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Dinner & a Movie: The History Edition

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After a facebook survey and some really great feedback -  I'm combining movies and food to tell the story of America's history. It is going to be a delicious journey and one that will help students feel more connected to the stories of their past in a powerful and tasty way! American History through film will combine fun and interesting movies with the foods that drove historical events. Students will be required to watch classic movies as well as binge-watch some newer series with serious historical content. To sharpen critical thinking skills, we will evaluate how accurately films portray historical events through discussions, debates, and presentations. In addition to the films, students will also taste and make food that shaped America's story. For example, the Boston Tea Party means more when students understand that British taxes were driving up the cost of breakfast. Caffeination is no joke — if colonists had to do without their tea, there might have been seriou...
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Why I Turned My U.S. History Class Into a Game

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I've been teaching history for years, and it's one of the most important subjects our students can learn.  But let's be honest, US History isn't always the class kids are excited to attend. Some students think it's boring or not all that relevant. And if your kids are anything like mine,  super competitive,  then traditional history might feel like torture. But give them a goal, a scoreboard, and the chance to win something, and history becomes a challenge they can play and win. Instead of following the same old route, I took a  chance🪪  l iterally and I gave my history class a total game board makeover. And it is called HISTOPOLY!  It is history gamified! Students earn monopoly money, buy "properties," and collect rewards for homework and for actually learning something meaningful. It's one way students can win and own it all (history knowledge, of course)!  How It Works Every week, students travel the board and explore key moments in US history. Thi...
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Four Simple Steps to Writing a Father's Day Tribute

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Writing a Tribute for Father's Day would be a great way to honor your Dad. A tribute shows appreciation, respect, or affection. It is a gift that is spoken or written of praise. Father's Day is June 15, a little less than two weeks away. Why not get started?  This writing will thrill him, especially if it is from the heart. The book  "The Tribute  " is available for free through the Internet Archive and provides extensive examples and suggestions to help readers understand the concept. I have summarized and simplified the process for you.  You can write a tribute as a gift in Four Simple Steps. 1. Search your heart to get ready to honor your parent 2. Make a memory list 3. Outline by organizing a list 4. Write a Tribute Step One: Get your heart ready First, prepare your heart by praying and spending time in God's presence. Ask God if there is any hurtful way in me, and lead me in anything you need to deal with first: anything you need to forgive. ...
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The Power of Thank You

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Do your teens struggle with the gift of gratitude? Could the resistance be partly due to not having the right tools? I think so! I created a step-by-step guide to help kids have the tools to write thank-you notes with ease. Free ebook. My son graduated from high school in May 2024 and needed to write thank-you notes for gifts received. I know that, as his homeschool teacher, he can do this. As he procrastinated, I realized that being thankful is more complex than I first thought. Communicating his thoughts can be a chore. It became apparent that he needed a step-by-step guide to help him see the structure and format. I've created a quick resource that anyone can use to help you or your kids learn the "art and gift" of writing a thank-you note. The Power of Thank You Notes After giving a few gifts and not receiving thank-you notes, I wondered if thank-you notes had gone out of style. While the art of the handwritten thank-you note might seem ancient, its significance and i...
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