sutton007

Each year my students have written a "Thank You" note to a veteran in honor of Veteran's Day.   Before writing I prepare a lesson to discuss the meaning of 'veteran' and 'service'.  (I use this interactive poster below to help the students build an understanding. Scroll your mouse over it -click if there is a red circle to go to a website or play the music & video. ) The letters thank these brave individuals for their service, sacrifice, bravery and courage. Very often my students get a response from their veteran.  Many of those who write back will explain about their time in the armed forces and the places they have been.  Many have stated how this is the "first thank you" they have received.  In this process the students end up learning more than just history and geography.   This year we have extended our writing by sending notes several times throughout the year to a local VA Hospital.   A local member of the Disabled American Veterans...

At the start of each new school year my students are introduced to a lesson in Citizenship.   This lesson will lay the groundwork as we work together to establish rules in our classroom.  made with Doodlebuddy Here are some definitions which help students understand this often-confusing term.  The highlighted definition will be the focus of instruction this year. "Citizenship" as defined by Dictionary.com :     noun :  1. the state of being vested with the rights, privileges, and duties of a citizen.             2. the character of an individual viewed as a member by society; behavior in terms of the duties, obligations and functions of a citizen. Students will be introduced (via a Smartboard Notebook lesson) to the following 5 categories that help define citizenship; Respect, Fairness, Caring, Responsibility,  and Honesty (categories based on information provided by the Scott Foresman Soci...