Growing a Classroom Library? Add these books!

Lately, I've been daydreaming about creating a social studies classroom library. When I see the amazing collections amassed by my friends who teach ELA, I think back to the collection of thirty year old encyclopedias, old textbooks, and atlases that made up my classroom library when I was in the classroom. They definitely served a purpose, but students weren't exactly excited to use them.

So...
What if teachers added books to their libraries that hooked students and made them want to learn more? What if the books made a foreign culture or time more relevant? What if the books were just fun to read? What if the classroom library became a spot that students liked to go to and were excited about?

While I was creating a wish list of books for my dream library, I realized I didn't have many recent books on my list. So, I asked my good friend and ELA teacher, Rachel of Writing by Rachel, to make me a list of recent books that should be added to a middle school social studies classroom collection. Here are her amazing suggestions.

0

Do This Before Your Students Open a Textbook!

Have you ever done things a certain way for years and then had a revelation that you've been doing it wrong? Well, this happened to me a few years ago.

I've always liked to assign reading homework to my high school students so they'd be prepared for the next day's lesson. And, every time, the results were dismal. I'd pretty much given up on having students read when a conversation I had with some other teachers helped me realize that I was going into the new school year with a huge assumption.

I assumed that somewhere along the line - in middle school or as freshmen - that my students had been taught HOW to read secondary sources. 

I was wrong.

0

Inexpensive Rewards Middle School Students Love

 Rewards for your students don't have to cost a lot. Here are ten your students are sure to love!

1. PENCILS - I'm always surprised at how popular pencils are (I even give pencils away at my house on Halloween and kids will pick them over my stash of good chocolate candy!).  If you are headed toward the dreaded fill-in-the-bubble sheets, make sure the pencils you are giving away are #2. I have a canister of plain to wildly decorated and holiday theme pencils for students to choose from.

2.  HIGHLIGHTERS - The various dollar stores have good prices on highlighters, but I also keep an eye out for great back-to-school sale prices. I buy the assorted color multi-packs and students get to choose one color.

1

4 Types of Questions You Should be Asking Your Students

I have always heard 'There are no stupid questions.' While this may be true, there definitely are ill-timed questions asked in your class. And, it's not what you are thinking. The ill-timed questions don't come from our students, but from us.

We all know the importance of 'wait time' before calling on a student and we usually remember to avoid leading a question with a student’s name so the other students don't zone out. But, beyond that, we should be purposeful in the questions we pose to our students.

There are four types of questions and the type of the answer you are hoping for is dictated by the type of question:

Do you want to spark student interest and curiosity? Then, you ask a hook or preview question.

Is there a definite correct answer to your question? Then, you ask a leading question that directs students to that answer.

Are there multiple possible answers? Then, you need to ask a guiding question.

Do you want to promote critical higher level thinking? Then, you need to ask an essential question (EQ).

0

Leave the Chaos Behind with Transitions

As a teacher, I take a lot of things into consideration when I plan out my lessons. I make sure the activity aligns to standards and will be engaging. I plan out the prep for the lesson and I have a back-up plan if the lesson is finished quicker than I anticipated or if it flops. But, for years, I left out an important piece of my daily lessons. It's something that signals a smoothly running classroom (and something administrators always look for it when they do their observations) and I didn't give it a single thought. What was it? Transitions - how to go from one activity to another without encountering all-out chaos in the classroom. 

0

Music and Memory – A Winning Pair in Social Studies

Have you ever gone through the channels on your car radio and happened upon an oldie but goodie you haven’t heard in years? Suddenly, you remember where you were, who you were with, and what you were doing the last time you heard that song. Even though you haven't heard the song in ages, you remember every word of the song. It's amazing how music interconnects with our memories. Because of this, content linked with music makes an excellent teaching strategy.

0

10 Activities for Teaching Historical Perspective

Analyzing history from both sides of the story can encourage students to delve more deeply into the people and events they are studying. But, analyzing is difficult for many students. An easy way to help your students is to add a graphic component. This helps activate various multiple intelligences to assist understanding and retention.

There are a wide variety of graphic options for perspective and viewpoint pieces. A few work best with individual historical figures, while others can be used with people or events. Here are some of my favorites.

0

Why You Should Let Your High School Students Color in Class

I've always liked to color. By the time I was in high school, I had a collection of colored pens to use while I took notes during lectures. I also doodled flowers and shapes in the margins of my paper as I listened to my teachers. As an adult, I still have a collection of colored pens and you can still catch me doodling during meeting and webinars. Because of my tendency to color and doodle, I often incorporated ways for my students to color in class. I always had containers of crayons, markers, and colored pencils ready for students to use. They made posters, brochures, picture books, colored maps, and so much more. And then, my friend Brigid of Math Giraffe introduced me to the idea of Doodle Notes - a way to join my love of coloring and doodling with note taking.

0

How to Make and Use QR Codes in Social Studies

If you’ve been in a classroom recently, you probably have noticed there is a ton of digital learning taking place. There are cell phones, iPads, Chromebooks, etc. Students love technology and the more we can incorporate it into our lessons and activities, the more engaged they might be. One type of technology that I love to use in my classroom are these things called QR codes. You've probably have heard of them, but do you know how to make one? Do you know how you can even use one? If you don’t, no worries. I am here to help!

4

Incorporating Black History Month Activities into the History Classroom

As teachers, we know how important it is to introduce our students to a variety of perspectives and experiences in history. Yet, textbooks don’t always highlight diverse voices front and center. That’s why Black History Month gives us such a powerful opportunity to pause, reflect, and intentionally bring these essential stories into the spotlight. If you’ve ever found yourself scrambling in February to add in last-minute lessons, you’re not alone! I’ve been there too. That’s why I pulled together some of my favorite Black History Month activities that will help you create meaningful, engaging learning experiences for your students.

Why Black History Month Activities Matter

Black History Month is more than a calendar event. It’s a chance to honor the impact African Americans have had in shaping our country. When our students engage in Black History Month activities, they not only learn about key historical figures, but they also start to see how deeply interconnected these stories are to every chapter of U.S. history.

Taking time in February to highlight these narratives helps our students connect with themes of resilience, justice, creativity, and leadership. It also provides representation that all our students need to see. When our students understand that Black history is American history, they begin to approach the subject with curiosity and respect.

That’s why dedicating time to intentional Black History Month activities is such an impactful step. It reminds our students that diverse stories belong at the heart of our classrooms.

Interactive Black History Month Activities

One of the best ways to help our students connect with history is through interactive experiences. For example, spoken word poetry, jazz, and hip hop all provide powerful entry points into learning. Try playing a poem or song from a Black artist. Then, invite your students to create their own piece inspired by what they heard. A classroom poetry slam or song showcase can turn history into something personal and unforgettable.

Another idea is a gallery walk related to the Civil Rights Movement or notable Black leaders. You can use my Civil Rights Movement Timeline Hunt. It's a ready-to-go timeline scavenger hunt focused on the Civil Rights Movement. This learning activity gives your students a chance to walk through and see pictures, learn about important events, and fill out a handout to help retain the information. 

These interactive Black History Month activities move students beyond memorization. They give them the chance to think, create, and express themselves while engaging with the material in meaningful ways.

Reading and Writing Black History Month Activities

Books are such a natural way to celebrate Black History Month. From picture books to biographies, stories written by and about African Americans allow our students to see history through many lenses. Choose a mix of texts so your students can explore both well-known figures like Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King Jr., as well as less commonly highlighted leaders, inventors, or artists.

Pairing reading with writing is another great way to make Black History Month activities meaningful. After finishing a read-aloud or independent reading, invite your students to write reflections, letters, or journal entries as if they were part of that historical moment. These kinds of prompts check comprehension but also build empathy and connection.

Poetry and primary sources are also perfect for this month. You can have your students analyze a short poem or speech. Then, they can write a response piece that captures their personal reaction. These activities make reading and writing authentic, giving your students a voice alongside the voices they’re studying.

Creative Black History Month Activities

Art, music, and performance bring history alive in a way that lectures just can’t. You can have your students research African American artists or musicians and create their own projects inspired by that style. For example, after studying Jacob Lawrence’s artwork, your class could design a mural that reflects themes of justice and equality.

Classroom performances are another engaging option. You can have your students perform short skits about pivotal events in Black history or share original music, dance, or dramatic readings. These creative Black History Month activities give your students a chance to process what they’ve learned in expressive and memorable ways.

Encouraging creativity builds understanding. It also helps your students connect emotionally to the stories they’re exploring. When they create, they internalize the history more deeply. If you want a low-prep way to bring this to life, my MLK Jr. project is a favorite. It guides your students in creating their own word cloud inspired by Dr. King’s legacy.

Community-Based Activities

Sometimes the most memorable lessons happen outside of the classroom. Consider taking a field trip to a local museum, cultural center, or historical landmark that highlights African American history. Many libraries and universities also host special events and exhibits during February.

If a field trip isn’t possible, you can still connect your students to the community by inviting guest speakers, such as local leaders, artists, or historians, to share their perspectives. Documentaries and virtual tours can also provide authentic experiences when in-person opportunities aren’t available.

These community-based Black History Month activities help your students see that history is not distant. It’s living, breathing, and shaping the world around them.

Honoring Black History Month with Respect

No matter which Black History Month activities you choose, the most important thing is the heart behind them. This month isn’t about checking off a box or rushing through a quick lesson. It’s about honoring the people who came before us, recognizing those making an impact today, and inspiring future generations to continue the work.

When our students see that these activities are approached with genuine respect and care, it makes a difference. It shows them that the stories of Black leaders, artists, inventors, and everyday heroes matter just as much as anyone else’s. That kind of representation helps all our students understand the importance of equity, justice, and resilience.

As you plan your Black History Month activities, remind your students that celebrating history is also about shaping the future. By reflecting on the past and honoring the present, they can see themselves as part of a collective story that continues to grow and evolve.

Find Even More Activities

If you’re excited to bring more Black History Month activities into your classroom, don’t stop here! There are so many incredible resources already created to support teachers. I recommend checking out the following: 

• Edutopia
• NEA 
• Education World

Each of these sites is filled with ready-to-use lesson plans, activities, and inspiration to help you make Black History Month meaningful for your students.

Celebrate and Inspire with Black History Month Activities

Black History Month activities are about more than just lessons. They’re opportunities to celebrate, honor, and inspire. By weaving in interactive projects, literature, creative expression, and community connections, you give your students meaningful ways to engage with history. When these activities are done with respect and intention, they help our students see that Black history is an essential part of the American story. Let’s use this month not only to celebrate but also to spark conversations and connections that will last well beyond February.

Save for Later

Want to keep these ideas handy when February rolls around? Pin this post to your favorite teaching board or share it with a teacher friend who’d love some fresh Black History Month inspiration. A little planning now means a more powerful, purposeful February later!

0