1. Homeroom Absence Request Forms Absence Request Forms Picking up on Plaza Picking up on Plaza

2. Social Studies “The aim of the historian, like that of the artist, is to enlarge our picture of the world, to give us a new way of looking at things.” (James Joll) Philosophy of Teaching: -creating a comfortable, open-minded, cooperative environment that provides students with diverse resources and multiple perspectives. -Backwards Planning is most efficient and effective for the teacher and the students in staying organized, gathering resources, and fairly assessing the students. -reading skills on the top of my list and think that oral histories are a great way to introduce current events, learn about others, and keep history alive. -responsible, respectful, and active citizens of the world.

3. St. Barnabas Parish Woodlawn, NY Woodlawn, NY K-8 K-8

4. Fordham University Bronx, New York Bronx, New York Majored in American Studies Majored in American Studies

5. History Trips 2007: Jamestown and Williamsburg 2007: Jamestown and Williamsburg 2008: Paris, Brittany, and Amsterdam 2008: Paris, Brittany, and Amsterdam

6. Parent/Guest Speakers Company Project in 7 th Grade Company Project in 7 th Grade Cattle, Cotton, and Oil Cattle, Cotton, and Oil Political Speakers for Election Project Political Speakers for Election Project Veteran’s Day Veteran’s Day

7. Classroom Management Exit Cards Exit Cards Self-Evaluation & having students input Self-Evaluation & having students input Ending on a Positive Note Ending on a Positive Note Group/Hands On Activities Group/Hands On Activities

8. Goals for the Year To use Smart Board and the Smart Ideas software successfully in order to enhance lessons and expose my students to different kinds of concept maps. To use Smart Board and the Smart Ideas software successfully in order to enhance lessons and expose my students to different kinds of concept maps. To maintain a consistent and organized system in the classroom. To maintain a consistent and organized system in the classroom. Work together with peers for interdisciplinary units (Holocaust Unit) Work together with peers for interdisciplinary units (Holocaust Unit) To help my students learn and study history in context and not only to memorize but also to be able to apply what they have learned To help my students learn and study history in context and not only to memorize but also to be able to apply what they have learned

9. Texas History Unit One: Texas: A Unique Environment, which focuses on the geography of Texas Unit One: Texas: A Unique Environment, which focuses on the geography of Texas Unit Two: Early Texans, which focuses on Native Texans, European Exploration, and Spanish Settlement Unit Two: Early Texans, which focuses on Native Texans, European Exploration, and Spanish Settlement Unit Three: Texas: From Colony to Republic, which begins with the Colonization of Texas and ends with Texas Revolution and Independence Unit Three: Texas: From Colony to Republic, which begins with the Colonization of Texas and ends with Texas Revolution and Independence Unit Four: Times of Trouble in the New State, which addresses Texas Statehood, the Civil War, and Texas and the Union Unit Four: Times of Trouble in the New State, which addresses Texas Statehood, the Civil War, and Texas and the Union Units Three and Four will continue into the second half of the year and we will also study Texas’ role in the broader context of US History and Texas in the present

10. American History Unit One: Different Worlds Meet, which includes the study of Early Americans to European Exploration Unit One: Different Worlds Meet, which includes the study of Early Americans to European Exploration Unit Two: Colonial Settlement, which studies Colonial America Unit Two: Colonial Settlement, which studies Colonial America Unit Three: Creating a Nation, which studies the American Revolution Unit Three: Creating a Nation, which studies the American Revolution Unit Four: The New Republic, which studies the Jefferson Era and the beginnings of Westward Expansion Unit Four: The New Republic, which studies the Jefferson Era and the beginnings of Westward Expansion And by the end of the school year we will get up to Civil War and Reconstruction

11. Homework for the Parents Write a letter to your child answering the following questions: 1. What historical events had the most impact on your own life? Ex: For myself, it would be 9/11 especially being in New York City at the time 2. What lessons can we learn from our history? Ex: We can learn from the missteps of past leaders or about the most successful way to interact with others. 3. What do you hope your child learns from this class?