Curriculum

In my block classes, I meet Common Core Standards by creating cross-curricular lessons in both English Language Arts and U.S. History. What does that mean Mrs. Denton??? No worries! Here's an example. Perhaps I am teaching about the Civil War in history; I could have the students read primary sources (diary account) from soldiers, and then I would have the students write their own diary account based on what they learned over the course of the Civil War unit. Best phrase to explain cross-curricular teaching..."two birds with one stone."

Students will be reading an abundance of primary sources, informational text, and fictional pieces daily. This year, we will be reading the novels The Boy in the Striped Pajamas and The Outsiders. Both these novels have NEVER failed me! I absolutely enjoy getting the most reluctant reader to fall in love with these novels, be engaged, and participate in the classroom!

Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.
- Ben Franklin

CommonLit

CommonLit became a fav for the students! What's neat about this literacy program is that it is user friendly, challenges the students with their reading, incorporates vocabulary building and comprehension. Students appreciate how this resource has highlighting/annotating tools and read-aloud feature.

Achieve 3000

Achieve 3000 is not new to our UPCS students; however, I like to use articles that are directly connected to what we are learning in class. I create my own templates, incorporate videos for the visual learners, and the activities involved will meet a CommonCore ELA standards.

Writing

Students will engage in a TON of writing this school year. Writing is not limited to just standard essays. Students will do a lot of writing responses to key learning ideas, compose summaries, prepare argument pieces such as CER's, create journalistic writing, novel writing warm-ups, and more! Reading and writing go hand in hand. The more students read, it significantly impacts their writing because they are seeing grammar, spelling, capitalization, and punctuation.

One thing that I see as an 8th grade teacher is students struggle with taking the time to explain their ideas AND citing. I strongly encourage you to ask to see your child's work before they submit. A great tip...simply ask your child to read out loud their writing, and they will hear their errors. Writing is definitely the one area that high schools will be expecting students to be strong in.

Foundations of Government

We will be learning about how the U.S. government was built. Students will learn how American Revolution led to our country's need to create a new government.

Rights

One of the most controversial topics in the history class is rights. This is the most engaging because students begin to put themselves in others' shoes! This will include our Native American unit, Slavery Unit, women's rights, rights as an American citizen, etc.

Primary sources

The best way to bring history alive is to observe the real documents! Students will have the opportunity to analyze words of our Founding Fathers, soldiers, important historical figures, famous speeches, interviews, debates, and more!

hamilton????
of course!

I don't remember what I did before the Broadway show "Hamilton"!!!!! One of my greatest joys in the classroom is getting students pumped for our history lesson! The music brings history alive, interesting, and of course...the DRAMA is everything!!!

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