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Weeks 19 and 20: We started the third quarter with many snow days; but, we still found time to use our Explorer Mindset in weeks 19 and 20. Students received letters back from two of the members of Congress the wrote to, again connecting to our 2nd quarter Congress activity. In addition, we started our Classroom Economy in Economics class. In this Classroom Economy, which runs throughout the 3rd quarter, students save and earn classroom economy dollars (which is pretend money) to purchase items from the classroom store. This is a simulation of earning and saving in the larger world, giving students connections to the larger economy in a hands-on way. Pictured below are students participating in the classroom economy. This uses the Explorer Mindset of Knowledge: Seek Interconnections; Skills: Problem-Solve; and Attitudes: Curious and Empowered.
Weeks 19 and 20 continued: We also completed our last Zoom with our member of Congress, building on last quarter's learning activity. This activity used the Explorer Mindset Skills of Collaborate and Communicate, the Explorer Mindset Attitude of Curious and Empowered, and the Explorer Mindset Knowledge of Seek Interconnections and Learn About Human and Natural Systems. Pictured below are students participating in this activity.
Week 21: Twenty-six Civics/Economics students had a National Constitution Center Scholar Exchange over Civics and Economics, with Philadelphia's National Constitution Center. The Scholar Exchange was titled, "Article I: The Congress". Pictured at right are students participating in this event. This used the Explorer Mindset Attitude of Curious, the Explorer Mindset Knowledge of Seek Interconnections, and the Explorer Mindset Skills of Communicate and Problem-Solve.
Week 22: Mrs. Casey and Mr. Landon from the Franklin County Extension Service and the Crawford County Extension Service spoke to Economics students over the course of two days, using the program "Get Real, Here's the Deal" to provide a real-world simulation of economics, finance, budgeting, and decision-making. Students were given real-world scenarios in which they had to make financial decisions while practicing their budgeting skills and learning about daily economics and decision-making. This used the Explorer Mindset Skills of Collaborate, Communicate and Problem-Solve. Pictured below are students are participating in this activity.
Week 23: On February 6th, my Ozark High School Stock Market Club and concurrent history students traveled to Little Rock, visiting the MacArthur Museum of Military History thanks to the Helen T. Leigh Field Trip grant, and visiting the State Capitol Building; at the Capitol they watched Congress in session from the gallery, met Representative Jon Eubanks and Franklin County Judge Rickey Bowman, met with Secretary of State Cole Jester, went to the State Treasurer's Office, and learned about state history. Students are pictured at the MacArthur Museum, at the Capitol with Representative Eubanks and Judge Bowman, and at the Capitol with Secretary of State Jester. This used the Explorer Mindset Attitudes of Curious and Empowered, the Explorer Mindset Knowledge of Seek Interconnections and Learn About Human and Natural Systems, and the Explorer Mindset Skills of Communicate and Collaborate. Below are pictures of this day's events.
Week 23 continued: Students studied the supply chain of cocoa beans used to make chocolate, for our Agri and Econ unit. Students labeled maps of where our cocoa beans are coming from and learned about the farming of cocoa beans; students then made informational posters for a product they could invent using cocoa beans, considering the roles of producers and consumers and the global economy. Students also learned about intiatives from chocolate companies to help with issues including sustainability and environmental practices of cocoa farming. Pictured are some of the students with their creations. These posters were put into the hallway and each class period voted on their favorite student-created cocoa product poster. This used the National Geographic Explorer Mindset Attitude of Curious, the Explorer Mindset Knowledge of Seek Interconnections and Learn About Human and Natural Systems, and the Explorer Mindset Skills of Apply Geographic Practices, Use Geographic Perspectives, and Communicate.
Week 24: After using National Geographic resources, as well as other resources, we wrapped up our Agri & Econ unit by planting seeds for students to grow at home; they should then be fully ready for students to plant outside once spring arrives. Every student was able to select what they wanted to plant and take their seeds home to grow them. Students learned how to care for plants and help them grow. Later in the semester, students shared pictures of their growing plants with me, showing how they were continuing the lesson outside of the classroom. This used the National Geographic Explorer Mindset Knowledge of Learn About Human and Natural Systems, the Explorer Mindset Skill of Use Geographic Perspectives, and the Explorer Attitudes of Curious and Empowered. Pictured below are students participating in this event.
Week 24 continued: Financial advisor Holly McCormick from Edward Jones Ozark spoke to Economics students about many aspects of investing, finances, stocks, and economics. Students learned about saving and investing in your future. Students asked many questions about economics and finance, with Mrs. McCormick helping students understand their financial futures. This used the Explorer Mindset Attitudes of Curious and Empowered, the Explorer Mindset Knowledge of Seek Interconnections, and the Explorer Mindset Skills of Communicate and Problem-Solve. Pictured below are some of the students with Mrs. McCormick during this event.
Week 25-26: Student Ava and I were selected to participate in an online conversation with Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor; only six students from the country were selected for this honor. The conversation will play to the public during Civics Week, on March 14th, 2025. We were very excited to be selected and be part of Civic Learning Week 2025. What an amazing experience! This used the Explorer Mindset Attitude of Curious and Empowered, the Explorer Mindset Knowledge of Seek Interconnections, and the Explorer Mindset Skill of Communicate.
Week 25-26 continued: I shared my photos and experiences from Alaska with my concurrent college credit students, along with online information and video highlighting Alaska's history, people, wildlife, and plants. Students were then tasked with going outside on our school campus and finding plants and animals thriving right here on our own campus! Students took photos and turned in the picture of their plant(s) or animal(s) they found right here in our own school environment. Below are some of the photos students turned in. Also below are photos of the students during this activity. The plant and animal species students identified included red cardinal, green algae, honeybee, black slug, farm cows, dew drop spider, short leaf pine tree, loblolly pine tree, wintergreen moss, clover, toothwort, Cathartis Carrion, river snail, woodlice, crawfish, and more. This used the Explorer Mindset Knowledge of Seek Interconnections and Learn About Human and Natura Systems, the Explorer Mindset Attitude of Curious, and the Explorer Mindset Knowledge of Use Geographic Perspectives and Apply Geographic Practices.
Week 27: On March 3rd, Bank OZK representative spoke to Ozark High School Economics students about many aspects of banking and finance. Pictured at right are some of the students who participated in this program, along with the Bank OZK guest speakers. Students were able to ask questions about banking and finance, and learn how economics relates to their own lives. This used the Explorer Mindset Attitudes of Curious and Empowered, the Explorer Mindset Knowledge of Seek Interconnections, and the Explorer Mindset Skills of Communicate and Problem-Solve.
Week 27 continued: A group of my concurrent history students competed at National History Day Regionals on March 4th at the University of Arkansas Fort Smith. Due to my schedule, a fellow Ozark history teacher kindly took my students to this event. OHS junior Adeline received third place in the individual documentary category and can compete at National History Day State. This year's theme was Rights and Responsibilities, and students spent many months creating projects that showcased this theme in history. All students who participated used the Explorer Mindset Attitude of Empowered, the Explorer Mindset Skills of Communicate and Problem-Solve, and the Explorer Mindset Knowledge of Seek Interconnections. Pictured at left is Adeline with her medal.
Week 28: On March 10, 2025, I presented about my Grosvenor Teacher Fellowship at the local Retired Teacher’s Meeting held at Ozark Lower Elementary School, sharing my website with them and providing an overview of the experience. I also showed them examples of how I am using what I am learning with students, highlighting how students are taking the learning and putting it into action inside and outside of the classroom. Pictured below are photos from this presentation. This used the Explorer Mindset Attitudes of Curious and Empowered, the Explorer Mindset Knowledge of Seek Interconnections and Learn about Human and Natural Systems, and the Explorer Mindset Skills of Problem-Solve, Communicate, and Apply Geographic Practices.
Week 28 continued: On March 12th, David Kennedy of the US Marshals Museum Fort Smith spoke to Ozark High School concurrent college credit US History students about many aspects of Arkansas history and the Marshals Museum. This included looking at early maps of Arkansas and surrounding areas, and discussing what happened in these local areas. Pictured at right are some of the students who participated in this guest speaking event. This used the Explorer Mindset Attitude of Curious, the Explorer Mindset Knowledge of Seek Interconnections, and the Explorer Mindset Skills of Communicate and Apply Geographic Practices.
Week 28 continued: I took three students to the Arkansas Economics Challenge at the University of Central Arkansas on March 14th. These three Ozark High School juniors, KD, Zoey, and David, placed third at the Arkansas Economics Challenge David Ricardo Division. They created an in-depth and well-researched economics presentation for the judges and took a test showing their economics knowledge to receive this honor. David was also awarded for receiving a top score in the David Ricardo testing division. The students won medals, prize money, and a banner. Congratulations to these students for their economics knowledge! I am pictured with the students at left. This used the Explorer Mindset Attitudes of Curious and Empowered, the Explorer Mindset Knowledge of Seek Interconnections and Learn About Human and Natural Systems, and the Explorer Mindset Skills of Problem Solve and Communicate.
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