All posts by: Erin

7 Ways to Create a More Inclusive Homecoming All Week Long

Homecoming Week carries a lot of familiar traditions and anticipated experiences that are exciting and fun, no doubt. But unfortunately, there can also be feelings of isolation and anxiety for... Read More

30 High School Homecoming Spirit Week Theme Ideas (with Subthemes!)

Once the dates are circled on the calendar and the dance venue reserved, your students will immediately want to choose their Homecoming or spirit week theme. The 30 spirit week... Read More

5 Thematic Inquiry Ideas to Frame Your US History Course

So, you’re interested in teaching history more thematically, but not quite ready to commit? Or you’re following a strict scope and sequence, but want to zoom out at least a... Read More

How to Plan an Awesome School Assembly Using These 5 Steps

“It takes a great assembly to be better than no assembly at all.”  This our mantra whenever my student leaders get into assembly planning mode. I shamelessly borrowed and tweaked... Read More

Teach Primary Source Analysis Like A Pro With These 5 Strategies

Any history teacher knows that a primary source-based course is the best way to teach the stories and lessons of the past in a way that’s both rich and intriguing. ... Read More

5 Back-to-School Ideas to Create an Amazing Student Council

Every teacher knows how important setting the right tone in the first week of class is. Likewise, those first interactions with your student council need to be intentional towards building... Read More

Student Council Calendar Tips That Will Save Your Sanity

If I could go back and tell my brand new student council advisor self just one piece of advice it would, hands down, be this: pencil in all the events... Read More

Fail-proof sentence starters for writing for primary source analysis

Analyzing primary sources actually means three separate things: reading, thinking, then writing. But we often talk about it and teach it as if it’s all a singular thing. It’s not. ... Read More

One Simple Hack to Teach Historical Argument Like a Pro

One of my favorite parts about teaching social studies is that there is inherently never a right answer.  For being a huge rule-follower in every other aspect of my life,... Read More

Three Branches of Government: Activity Ideas that Engage

No matter how you structure your Civics class, you’re doing a Three Branches of Government unit. There’s no way around it. And it’s for sure your biggest unit, with endless... Read More