By Dr. Amy L. Holland, Geography Teacher
As summer brings heat to many areas of the world, more and more people are flocking to sandy beach escapes. The beautiful ocean waters throughout the world create an atmosphere of relaxation, yet sometimes have a varied historic past. History often provides a wealth of information that make these areas not only tourist attractions, but definable events in our world history.
By Anna Ballard, Social Studies Teacher
Prepare for the start of the school year by learning—and using—your love language! Just as students have different learning styles, focusing on how they feel appreciated can make them more willing to learn. By taking this extra step, teachers can minimize behavior issues and develop better relationships with their students.
By Dr. Amy L. Holland, Geography Teacher
Patriotic displays begin appearing across the United States in mid-June, if not earlier. Businesses promote July 4th, Independence Day sales, offering the best deals of summer.
By Anna Ballard, Social Studies Teacher
There are dozens of kings and queens around the globe who rule or help to rule countries today. It is easy to get caught up in the ancient history of the world, but rarely do we learn about the current day leaders who are in the process of making history today.
By Dr. Amy L. Holland, Geography Teacher
Roses are red, roses are blue, roses are white and yellow too! Where did this saying originate? Well, it’s different from what you may have heard before, but why are all the most famous roses considered to be red? Regardless of the role of roses in life, the flower has been sought after for generations as a tool of affection and decoration.
By Anna Ballard, Social Studies Teacher
Celebrating and discussing Memorial Day can be easily aligned with standards for many history classes, specifically those that cover the Civil War. But what about other social studies courses? Is there a way to learn about Memorial Day without deviating too much from the content?
By Anna Ballard, Social Studies Teacher
Earth Day is an excellent opportunity for teachers to engage their students in a conversation about their personal responsibility to preserve their world. This is not an easy conversation to have, so what better way to do it than in rhyme?
By Dr. Amy L. Holland, Geography Teacher
Shoes are just part of the glamour associated with the fashion industry. Fashion itself has been a constant state of change since the early ages.
By Dr. Amy L. Holland, Geography Teacher
Women have played a huge part in history throughout the ages. Women have also played a huge role in politics, often doing so behind the scenes. Let’s look at a few of our current and former first ladies of politics, who were huge game-changers for women around the world.
By Anna Ballard, Social Studies Teacher
This Women’s History Month, let’s learn about Black Women in Education, like Mary Bethune. Learn about her life and contributions to education.
By Dr. Amy L. Holland, Geography Teacher
As we celebrate Black History Month, we would be remiss to not celebrate the trailblazing men and women who have paved the way for future generations within the field of medicine.
February is Black History Month! Take a tour of national monuments commemorating Black History.
Check out these easy-to-use lesson ideas for the Winter Olympics and get your students excited to watch the Games!
Martin Luther King Day is January 17, 2022! Find key resources for Grades K-12 on Martin Luther King Jr.
By Dr. Amy L. Holland, Geography Teacher
Grimsley Junior High School, Bentonville, Arkansas
Amy Holland discusses how time seems to fly by in December. As we look forward to the winter break, students continue to realize what they once thought was a “tradition” is actually an element of their native culture.
Happy holidays! There’s so much to love about this time of year — the decor, the food, and most importantly, the music! Today we’re going to explore the history of holiday music and holiday music around the world.
By Dr. Amy L. Holland, Geography teacher
Amy Holland discusses the importance of studying the development and migration patterns before diving in too deep in our culture study.…
Discover Thanksgiving traditions from around the world and some ideas for unusual traditions to try this year!
By Dr. Amy L. Holland, Geography teacher
Amy Holland discusses how she studies with her students by looking at the different story versions of Cinderella from around the world…
Trick or treat! As Halloween approaches, store aisles are packed with treats and candies to give out to trick or treaters. But why do we trick or treat every year decked out in our favorite costumes? Let’s learn more!
By Dr. Amy L. Holland, Geography teacher
I’m a huge pumpkin spice fan. The smell and flavor bring back memories of time spent with family and friends, in previous fall seasons. There’s something so pleasant about certain smells. They bring a nostalgic feeling…
Let’s kick off the start of the fall harvest with these activities for students, no matter if you’re harvesting a container garden, community garden, or fields!
By Dr. Amy L. Holland, Geography teacher
School’s out for summer….!!! I feel like I just started singing this anthem ballad a few days ago. Yet, as I go shopping, I see signs of back to school EVERYWHERE! Let’s look at some expert advice to help us stay emotionally and physically healthy as we start the new school year.
This year marks the 20th anniversary of the September 11 attacks. As the years have passed, fewer and fewer students in the classrooms have a firsthand memory of the attacks. How do we teach a defining moment in our country’s recent history to students who were in diapers when it happened?
By Dr. Amy L. Holland, Geography teacher
Alaska sees its fair share of frigidly cold temperatures, but in the summer months one can enjoy the cooler atmosphere while still experiencing all the wild terrain Alaska is known for in geography books.
It’s back to school again! Read our guide on how to prepare for back to school week by week -- and still have time to relax before the first day of school!
By Dr. Amy Holland, Geography teacher
As summer approaches families may find themselves out of quarantine, but still unable to travel due to gas shortages or rising gas prices. Never fear, once again, the Internet is here!
Juneteenth, celebrated on June 19th, is a holiday to celebrate the emancipation of slaves. President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation outlawed slavery on September 22, 1862. However, it was not enforced in the South due to the Civil War.
By Dr. Amy Holland
The last day of school we leave the building like a bird who flew the coop, possibly not without a few feathers missing…
According to historical records, only three of the 46 presidents—Franklin Pierce, Chester Arthur, and Donald Trump—did not have a pet in the White House. Then again, maybe they had a pet fish we didn’t know about.
Dr. Amy Holland is a Geography teacher from Arkansas. She is a contributing Citizen writer (sign up here to contribute!). In this article, Amy provides some great examples of individuals who are making an impact on the planet
Happy Earth Day! As spring begins and Earth Day comes closer, let’s look at how we can incorporate Earth Day into our history classrooms, specifically as we teach The Industrial Revolution. In the mid-1700s, a chain of events changed the way our lives look today.
We can’t all be Mother Teresa, famous for the amazing things we completed during our lifetime. Mother Teresa devoted her life to the caring of people of all ages. However, it is often the women in our daily lives, past and present, who change our worlds for the better.
In March we celebrate Women’s History Month! The National Women’s History Alliance has set this year’s theme as Valiant Women of the Vote in an effort to continue the centennial celebration of the 19th Amendment.
TEducators must piece together each rail in order to show students genuine connections between events or concepts. By piecing the rails together, one by one, the possibilities are endless.
February is Black History Month in the United States. To celebrate, we want to offer you this teaching workshop on the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s and its impact on the ongoing fight for civil rights in the United States.
The first day that we observed Martin Luther King Day was January 20, 1986. This year it will be observed on January 18th. Many schools and businesses take the day off to observe Martin Luther King Jr. and his contributions.
Happy Chinese New Year! In 2021, we celebrate the Chinese New Year on February 12, 2021 and officially begin the year of the Ox. Let’s explore how to celebrate the Chinese New Year with your students!
Happy Holidays! While we may all be a little further apart this holiday season, let’s take this time to learn more about different holiday traditions around the world.
Who remembers their goals they set for themselves last December/January for 2020? Did you achieve those goals? Don’t feel bad if you didn’t. 2020 was a year that no one saw coming.
This year, we’re more grateful than ever for you! We’d like to give you some free resources to use in your classroom.
It’s officially spooky season! Turn on some scary music and settle in to read about some of America’s most haunted houses!...
How many licks does it take to get to the center of the Tootsie Pop? Who remembers the commercial with the wise owl?...
New offering in the market from the National Constitution Center. These resources on civics for students can be used by parents, caregivers, and teachers in the classroom or at home...
As August moves into September, students are going back to school. For some, this means a mix of in-person and virtual learning. What are your favorite tips and tricks?...
History happens every day in 2020. This Back to School season is no different. Let’s create tomorrow’s primary sources today with our students this Back to School...
New Social Studies digital lessons! Teachers and parents can use these for Grades K-2 in the classroom or in a distance setting...
On July 3, Disney+ released Hamilton -- the award-winning Broadway play that tells the story of the American Revolution and the Founding Fathers..
Over the summer vacation, stay in touch with your history content through engaging and exciting podcasts!
On June 14 we celebrate Flag Day to honor the American flag. It got us thinking, “It’s time to learn more about Old Glory!”
Graduation, like so many events this school year, looks a little different in the time of COVID-19. Read some ideas on how to make it special for your students!
A New Tradition of Innovation Begins We have a new name, and it comes with a rich legacy of helping teachers.
Springtime means baseball season, so let’s celebrate! See how baseball in the U.S. reflects our nation’s history, and download some free baseball resources!
No matter what’s happening in the world, you can always look forward to May flowers!
Ten-hut! All rise and give a big military salute to Sergeant Stubby reporting for duty.
