I have been teaching at Greenbrier Public Schools for 20 years. I taught fourth grade for 11 years and then moved up to 6th grade literacy. I worked as a literacy teacher and then a reading specialist until last year when I moved to social studies. I have a BSE in Elementary Education, a minor in Business Education, MSE Reading Specialist, and ESL endorsement. I also have National Board Certification for Middle Child Generalist.
Through our study of America from post Civil War to the present, I strive to provide our students with a better understanding of the events that shaped our great country.
Saturday, July 26, 2014
Tuesday, May 6, 2014
Decades Research Project
May 5th-23rd
As our year winds down, we will be conducting our last research project, pertaining to various topics from the 50s through the 2000s.
Listed below are the questions pertaining to each topic.
Decade Research Project Information pack (click here)
Culture of the 50s (click here)
Culture of the 60s (click here)
Culture of the 70s (click here)
Culture of the 80s (click here)
Culture of the 90s (click here)
Korean War (click here)
Vietnam War (click here)
Persian Gulf War (click here)
Civil Rights (click here)
Cold War (click here)
Space Race (click here)
Presidents 1945-1974 (click here)
Presidents 1974-2001 (click here)
Women's Rights (click here)
As our year winds down, we will be conducting our last research project, pertaining to various topics from the 50s through the 2000s.
Listed below are the questions pertaining to each topic.
Decade Research Project Information pack (click here)
Culture of the 50s (click here)
Culture of the 60s (click here)
Culture of the 70s (click here)
Culture of the 80s (click here)
Culture of the 90s (click here)
Korean War (click here)
Vietnam War (click here)
Persian Gulf War (click here)
Civil Rights (click here)
Cold War (click here)
Space Race (click here)
Presidents 1945-1974 (click here)
Presidents 1974-2001 (click here)
Women's Rights (click here)
Friday, April 18, 2014
Chapter 11 World War 2
Chapter 11 (notes click here) deals with the major battles in Europe and the Pacific that the United States was involved in. Although we were unable to examine many of the battles, I hoped to hit the high points so students are able to understand what took place and hopefully have a little more respect for "The Greatest Generation."
Chapter 11 Review Games (click here) Chapter 11 Notes filled in (click here)
Ch. 11 Study Guide (blank click here) Chapter 11 study guide (filled in click here)
Lesson 1 War in Africa and Europe
Lesson 1 worksheet
The first plan of attack for the Allies began in North Africa to drive the Axis powers out of North Africa and the Middle East. This would allow them to secure the Mediterranean Sea, which was vital for the movement of resources from the Middle East to the Allies in Europe.
Operation Torch was the plan, in which the American Forces were led by Dwight D. Eisenhower, helped to sandwich the Germans African corps (under the leadership of Erwin Rommel) between themselves and the British.
Following the year long attempt to remove the Axis from North Africa, the Allies began for the invasion of Europe. Thinking Italy was vulnerable, the Allies invaded Sicily (Operation Husky) hoping to take Italy since Benito Mussolini had been capture. However, Hitler redirected German troops, rescued Mussolini and the fight for Italy slowed down.
While fighting was under way in North Africa, the Russians were in the thick of battle against the Germans. The German army was racing through the Soviet Union killing everyone in their path. However, the were defeated in their attempt to take Moscow. However, they were not deterred. In August of 1942, the German army becomes entrenched at Stalingrad and for the next five months, the Battle of Stalingrad is fought. During the battle, the Germans were not prepared for the cold winters and were running low on supplies. After five months the German army surrendered. This became a turning point in the War in Europe. From this point on, the German never regained their superiority.
While the sluggish fighting for Italy was underway, the Allies were planning for the invasion of Europe. Dwight D. Eisenhower had been named Supreme Allied Commander in Europe and devised the plan to liberate France then the rest of Europe. Operation Overlord was the code name for the invasion of Normandy.
D Day, June 6, 1944, was the largest amphibious landing ever undertaken. Over 175,000 men landed on the beaches of Normandy (Omaha, Utah, Juno, Gold, and Sword). The D Day invasion was the launching point for the liberation of France and the rest of Europe. Had Hitler not overslept or had Rommel not been in Berlin, the outcome could have been much different.
Following the success of the D Day invasion, the Allies gained a foothold in France on their way to Berlin. As a result of the success in Europe, FDR is elected to an unprecedented fourth term as President.
Despite the mounting German losses, they managed one last major offensive in the Battle of Bulge (December, 1944 to January 1945). Catching the Allied lines off guard, the Germans advanced in the Ardenne Forests and managed to trap Allied forces. However, General George S. Patton brought the US 3rd Army from the south of France and forced the Germans to retreat. From there, Patton and his army became the first Allied soldiers to enter Germany and the race to reach Berlin was on.
Chapter 11 Review Games (click here) Chapter 11 Notes filled in (click here)
Ch. 11 Study Guide (blank click here) Chapter 11 study guide (filled in click here)
Lesson 1 War in Africa and Europe
Lesson 1 worksheet
The first plan of attack for the Allies began in North Africa to drive the Axis powers out of North Africa and the Middle East. This would allow them to secure the Mediterranean Sea, which was vital for the movement of resources from the Middle East to the Allies in Europe.
Operation Torch was the plan, in which the American Forces were led by Dwight D. Eisenhower, helped to sandwich the Germans African corps (under the leadership of Erwin Rommel) between themselves and the British.
Following the year long attempt to remove the Axis from North Africa, the Allies began for the invasion of Europe. Thinking Italy was vulnerable, the Allies invaded Sicily (Operation Husky) hoping to take Italy since Benito Mussolini had been capture. However, Hitler redirected German troops, rescued Mussolini and the fight for Italy slowed down.
While fighting was under way in North Africa, the Russians were in the thick of battle against the Germans. The German army was racing through the Soviet Union killing everyone in their path. However, the were defeated in their attempt to take Moscow. However, they were not deterred. In August of 1942, the German army becomes entrenched at Stalingrad and for the next five months, the Battle of Stalingrad is fought. During the battle, the Germans were not prepared for the cold winters and were running low on supplies. After five months the German army surrendered. This became a turning point in the War in Europe. From this point on, the German never regained their superiority.
While the sluggish fighting for Italy was underway, the Allies were planning for the invasion of Europe. Dwight D. Eisenhower had been named Supreme Allied Commander in Europe and devised the plan to liberate France then the rest of Europe. Operation Overlord was the code name for the invasion of Normandy.
D Day, June 6, 1944, was the largest amphibious landing ever undertaken. Over 175,000 men landed on the beaches of Normandy (Omaha, Utah, Juno, Gold, and Sword). The D Day invasion was the launching point for the liberation of France and the rest of Europe. Had Hitler not overslept or had Rommel not been in Berlin, the outcome could have been much different.
Following the success of the D Day invasion, the Allies gained a foothold in France on their way to Berlin. As a result of the success in Europe, FDR is elected to an unprecedented fourth term as President.
Despite the mounting German losses, they managed one last major offensive in the Battle of Bulge (December, 1944 to January 1945). Catching the Allied lines off guard, the Germans advanced in the Ardenne Forests and managed to trap Allied forces. However, General George S. Patton brought the US 3rd Army from the south of France and forced the Germans to retreat. From there, Patton and his army became the first Allied soldiers to enter Germany and the race to reach Berlin was on.
Unfortunately, President FDR did not get to see the end of the war. On April 12, 1945, FDR died and his Vice President, Harry S. Truman, sees to the end of the war and the surrender of Germany on May 8, 1945, which became known as V-E Day (Victory in Europe).
As the Allies entered Germany, they discovered one of the worst atrocities ever found - the victims of the Nazis concentration camps. The mass murder of over 6 million Jews and over 5 million others is known today as the Holocaust. Although we were not able to study this topic in depth (not necessarily appropriate for this age group), it is important to discuss and to make sure students are aware of this horrible time in human history.
While the war in Europe was raging, was also occurring in this the Pacific. This second theater of war consisted mainly of the Navy and the Marines fighting against the Japanese. This part of World War 2 was significantly different because the terrain was mainly island fighting and the opponent did not believe in giving up or surrendering.
The first Battle of the Pacific occurred in the Battle of the Coral Sea. While this battle is considered a draw, the United States prevented Japan from invading Australia, which was a British colony at this time, making it an ally of the United States. However, this battle was unique because it was the first aerial battle in which planes were launched from an Aircraft Carrier.
From the Coral Sea, the United States Pacific Fleet races north to intercept the bulk of the Japanese Fleet. After breaking the naval code the Japanese used, U.S. analysts knew where and when the Japanese Fleet was heading. The Battle of Midway became a turning point in the War in the Pacific. Under the command of Admiral Chester Nimitz, the US Pacific Fleet engaged the Japanese carriers, who were without the protection of their Battleships and Destroyers (which was part of Yamamoto's plan). During the course of the four day engagement (June 4-8, 1942) the Japanese suffered heavy losses, four of their carriers were sunk and approximately 250 planes were shot down. Following this battle the Japanese navy was crippled and was put on the defensive for the rest of the war.
After the Battle of Midway, the Allies began their island hopping strategy. In this plan, they would attack lightly defended islands as they hopped to Japan. Two years of island hopping led to the battles of Leyte Gulf (Philippines), Iwo Jima, and Okinawa. Because of the harsh conditions and the fierceness of the Japanese defending these islands, the invasion of Japan would be more difficult than imagined.
President Truman made the difficult decision to use the atomic bombs, which had been created under the top secret Manhattan Project, led by Dr. J. Robert Oppenheimer. The first atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima on August 6, 1945. 'Little Boy' was a 15 kiloton bomb that killed 90,000 people and destroyed most of the city. Despite the ultimatum given by President Truman, Japan refused to surrender and a second atomic bomb was used. On August 9, 1945, the second atomic bomb, 'Fat Man,' was a 20 kiloton bomb that killed 35,000 people. Following this second atomic attack, Japan agreed to surrender, five days later, on the condition that Emperor Hirohito remain a sovereign ruler. August 15, 1945, became known as V-J Day (Victory over Japan). The official end of the war was not until September 2, 1945, where Allied and Japanese diplomats signed the peace treaty on board the USS Missouri.
Wednesday, April 2, 2014
Chapter 10 Review Games
Here is the link to the chapter 10 review games and study guide. Sorry that I didn't get the blog up for Chapter 10, but I have been out the last few weeks with the arrival of a new addition to my family. Thanks for understanding.
Chapter 10 Review Games (click here)
Chapter 10 Review Games (click here)
Monday, February 10, 2014
Chapter 9 The Great Depression
February 5th - March 5th, 2014
During the month of February we will be examining the Great Depression which occurred from 1929-1942.
February 5th - Digital Learning Day
We analyzed the song "Brother Can you Spare a Dime?" and how it related to the Great Depression.
Lesson 1
In lesson one we examined the causes of the Great Depression, focusing on how the stock market crash created a ripple effect that was felt around the world. People lost their money in the stock market, which in turn caused banks to fail, businesses to close, people lost their houses, and many suffered from hunger.
Lesson 2
In lesson two we discussed how the causes of the Great Depression affected Americans. From the formation of shantytowns ("Hoovervilles") to the Dust Bowl, Americans suffered through some of the worst times in our country. Many of the farmers on the Great Plains headed west due to the "Black Blizzards" only to find it just as hard once they reached California. Others were homeless and forced to work any job just to get by. Many of them waited in long soup lines just for a meal.
Letters to Mrs. Roosevelt
In these letters students will be analyzing what it was like for children during the Great Depression. Many children wrote Mrs. Roosevelt asking for help with a need their family had or they had in particular. These letters will give an extra insight into the struggles these young people faced.
"Kit Kittredge, An American Girl"
This movie will be shown in class to aide in the understanding of the Depression. This movie depicts how the Great Depression affected not only the lower class but also the diminishing middle class. During the movie, students will answer guided questions that will aide them in writing a movie review (using this template) at the end of the lesson. See the movie trailer below.
Lesson 3
The final lesson will cover the efforts made by FDR to bring the country out of the Great Depression. We will examine a few of the New Deal programs set up by the government and how effective they really were through the New Deal Alphabet Soup worksheet. At the end they will also sketch the events of this time period through their sketch notes worksheets.
As always, the worksheets and notes are in the link above or you can click on the link below:
During the month of February we will be examining the Great Depression which occurred from 1929-1942.
February 5th - Digital Learning Day
We analyzed the song "Brother Can you Spare a Dime?" and how it related to the Great Depression.
Lesson 1
In lesson one we examined the causes of the Great Depression, focusing on how the stock market crash created a ripple effect that was felt around the world. People lost their money in the stock market, which in turn caused banks to fail, businesses to close, people lost their houses, and many suffered from hunger.
Lesson 2
In lesson two we discussed how the causes of the Great Depression affected Americans. From the formation of shantytowns ("Hoovervilles") to the Dust Bowl, Americans suffered through some of the worst times in our country. Many of the farmers on the Great Plains headed west due to the "Black Blizzards" only to find it just as hard once they reached California. Others were homeless and forced to work any job just to get by. Many of them waited in long soup lines just for a meal.
Letters to Mrs. Roosevelt
In these letters students will be analyzing what it was like for children during the Great Depression. Many children wrote Mrs. Roosevelt asking for help with a need their family had or they had in particular. These letters will give an extra insight into the struggles these young people faced.
"Kit Kittredge, An American Girl"
This movie will be shown in class to aide in the understanding of the Depression. This movie depicts how the Great Depression affected not only the lower class but also the diminishing middle class. During the movie, students will answer guided questions that will aide them in writing a movie review (using this template) at the end of the lesson. See the movie trailer below.
Lesson 3
The final lesson will cover the efforts made by FDR to bring the country out of the Great Depression. We will examine a few of the New Deal programs set up by the government and how effective they really were through the New Deal Alphabet Soup worksheet. At the end they will also sketch the events of this time period through their sketch notes worksheets.
As always, the worksheets and notes are in the link above or you can click on the link below:
Friday, January 10, 2014
Ch. 7 World War One
January 6-22, 2014
Happy New Year!!!!
We have begun a new nine weeks continuing our focus on the United States becoming a world power.
First we examined the MAIN causes of World War One in Europe (click here for all worksheets)
M ilitarism
A lliances
I mperialism
N ationalism
Because of these four causes Europe was ready for war, it just needed a spark. That spark was the assassination of Archduke Francis Ferdinand and his wife Sophia.
Through the use of primary and secondary sources we were able to understand why the weapons of World War One made this a deadly war.
Click here - review games - for games related to the chapter. Make sure you select Chapter 7 Review Games.
Happy New Year!!!!
We have begun a new nine weeks continuing our focus on the United States becoming a world power.
First we examined the MAIN causes of World War One in Europe (click here for all worksheets)
M ilitarism
A lliances
I mperialism
N ationalism
Because of these four causes Europe was ready for war, it just needed a spark. That spark was the assassination of Archduke Francis Ferdinand and his wife Sophia.
Through the use of primary and secondary sources we were able to understand why the weapons of World War One made this a deadly war.
Click here - review games - for games related to the chapter. Make sure you select Chapter 7 Review Games.
Wednesday, December 11, 2013
Chapter 6 Growth and Change - Review
Great News!! Review Games are here. After an exhaustive search to find a site that will support our review games, I have finally found one. Now you can review at home by clicking on the link below.
Some of the games include Fling the Teacher, Teacher Invader, En Garde, Multi-Choice Quiz, and Half a Minute.
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