GeoCaching

We learned about geocaching in class this week. I have done this a few times with some of my parents friends and thought it was a lot of fun! Its been about two years since last time I did it but being re-introduced to it in class this week made me remember about it. I think it would be a great thing to incorporate into the classroom. Kids would love to go on treasure hunts while learning longitude, latitude, directions, and reading maps. Geocaching is fun for everyone but I would have never thought about bringing it into the classroom. This was a fun activity and I will remember it when I am teaching longitude and latitude.

Teaching Geography

http://www.learner.org/workshops/geography/wkp3acti.html

I found this website that has various activities teachers can use when teaching geography.

Kids love to sing songs. Here is a link I found with numerous songs about geography.

http://www.songsforteaching.com/geographysongs.htm

Learning Social Studies

Learning social studies can be a process of getting drilled with facts and memorizing dates or can be taught in an involved interactive environment. I think it is important to involve students in any lesson, especially with social studies. The classroom is how we as teachers make it and we can make any lesson come alive for our students. The way we are learning about social studies in Dr. Meier's class is the way I believe the best way to teach it is. To be involved and experience the feeling the colonist had during the taxation process is a way to actually remember what happened in our history. Reading from a text book enhances memory until the test is over but doing actual activities and being interactive will keep the lesson in your mind longer.

Finding my Critical Voice

Finding your critical voice is important for a teacher. There will be times when we will be challenged by people who will think they know whats best in which we agree. We have to decide if we want to fight for what we know is right or sit back and let other people win. When I ask myself if I have established my own critical voice, I would have to say no. I hope to establish my voice when I get in my classroom and experience first hand situations where I will need to use my voice. I feel like I can not determine if I will follow the state mandates and do what the administration tells me or speak out against them until I am in the classroom and a part of the system.