9th Grade US History- Student Introduction

Hello Students,
Welcome to US History!

I wanted to write you all a little introduction about me and the class you will be embarking on.

My name is Ms. Graefe. I am a born and raised Idahoan and am thrilled to be teaching you this year. I am a graduate of Boise State University. I am a history buff, a film photography enthusiast and movie nerd.

This US History class will shape you into critically thinking historians. We will learn about US history collectively and individually. This class will prepare you to write well-written essays, analyze and use primary sources and think like a historian.

You will:

1. Read various textbooks, peer-reviewed articles and primary sources throughout the year. 
2. Write at least one essay a month
3. Assess and analyze all of the reading material through essays, classroom discussion and various activities
4. Participate in classroom and group discussion
5. Present a well-rounded presentation covering a historical event to the class
6. Watch historical films and documentaries and be able to analyze its importance
7. Participate in any other activities and assignments that help foster learning in the classroom

The class expectations are as followed: 

1. Students engaged in classroom activities at all times
2. Homework on time and containing quality work
3. Class participation 
4. Respect for me and fellow classmates-respecting ideas and opinions
5. Readings completed before class every week 
6. Students to leave my classroom with a wealth of knowledge concerning US history
7. Students to leave my classroom feeling more confident in their essay writing abilities, critical reading skills and their ability to be a historian

I look forward to working with each and every one of you. Together we will have fun learning this material and becoming better learners and historical thinkers.
 -Ms. Graefe

9th Grade US History- Parent Introduction

Hello Parents,
Welcome to US History!

I wanted to write you all a little introduction about me and the class your freshmen will be embarking on.

My name is Ms. Graefe. I am a born and raised Idahoan and am thrilled to be teaching your freshmen this year. I am a graduate of Boise State University. I am a history buff, a film photography enthusiast and movie nerd.

I can easily be reached via email at alishagraefe@ymail.com for any questions concerning the class or your child. I will respond within 24 hours to your email. If you ever need to call me about something, please call my extension for the school.

This US History class will shape your freshmen into critically thinking historians.

Your child will:

1. Read various textbooks, peer-reviewed articles and primary sources throughout the year. 
2. Write at least 1 essay a month
3. Assess and analyze all of the reading material through essays, classroom discussion and various activities
4. Participate in classroom and group discussion
5. Present a well-rounded presentation covering a historical event to the class
6. Watch historical films and documentaries and be able to analyze its importance
7. Participate in any other activities and assignments that help foster learning in the classroom

The classroom expectations are as followed: 

1. Students engaged in classroom activities at all times
2. Homework on time and containing quality work
3. Class participation 
4. Respect for me and fellow classmates 
5. Readings completed before class every week 
6. Students to leave my classroom with a wealth of knowledge concerning US history
7. Students to leave my classroom feeling more confident in their essay writing abilities, critical reading skills and their ability to be a historian

Parental involvement is always welcomed and even encouraged. Where parents should start would be at home with their child. Helping your freshmen out at home and being involved that way can really help them. If you would like to email me about getting involved with the class in other ways it is more than welcomed.

Thanks everyone! I can't wait to meet you all at Parent-Teacher Conferences soon. -Ms. Graefe

Gilder Lehrman

Gilder Lehrman:

The Gilder Lehrman website (and group) is a huge help for US history teachers.  The site has 60,000" 60,000 letters, diaries, maps, pamphlets, printed books, newspapers,
photographs, and ephemera that document the political, social, and
economic history of the United States."  There also have presentations, contests, etc. and even more benefits if your school becomes a member (and at $0.00, the price is right).

An overview
of all of the great new resources and tools is available here.
Some of the highlights of the new site include History by Era section,
which includes podcasts,
interactive features, online exhibitions, timelines and terms, primary sources,
teaching tools, and content spanning all of American history. 

The new
website also includes 10
Common Core units by 2009 National History Teacher of the Year Tim Bailey.
For more literacy-based learning, you can also take a look at our new Featured
Primary Sources, from the Gilder Lehrman Collection, annotated and accompanied
by teaching guides and questions. Our Collection search.  Ten new short-videos, “Essential
Questions in American History,” which features ten essential American
history questions and in our multimedia section you can find nearly 40 under
five minute video clips, great for use in the classroom!

Cloud Storage

Cloud Storage:

To continue Ken's blog about on line storage, you might check out Amit Argarval's blog in which he compares the three services and also does a price comparison of the three services (Dropbox, Google Drive and SkyDrive). He offers a lot more detail than the Post.  Here is his price comparison chart and here is his comparison of services.

Cold War cartoon on Iron Curtain

Cold War cartoon on Iron Curtain:

The Cold War is rich with symbols that help students truly understand the conflict. This cartoon is no exception.
Published in 1947 in the wake of Soviet involvement in Greece and Turkey, Jay “Ding” Darling captures the feelings of the hopelessness ahead in resolving issues with communist Russia.
We have included questions and answers for your classroom use.
For more Cold War resources check out our PowerPoints:

• US Foreign Policy in the Cold War Era: Truman to Kennedy
• US Foreign Policy in the Cold War Era: Johnson to the Fall of the Berlin Wall
• The 1950s
• 1960s
• Vietnam
• The 1970s
• Late History Overview: 1970s, 1980s, 1990s
• The 1980s
• The Modern Era: 1945-1970  World History
• The Modern Era 2: 1971-2009   World History

Classroom history games:

• Critical Decisions of Harry Truman
• Critical Decisions of John F. Kennedy
• Causes of the Cold War, Part 1: 1946-1960
• Causes of the Cold War, Part 2: 1961-1980
• Causes of the Cold War, Part 3: 1981-2008

Filed under: classroom activities, Lesson Plan, political cartoon, Primary Source Documents, Teacher Resources Tagged: 1940s, Cold War, Cold War cartoons, Cold War lesson plans, Cold War propaganda, iron curtain, political cartoons, Primary Source Documents, Teaching history, teaching social studies, teaching the cold war, teaching us history, teaching world history, US History, World History

Eye Witness to History

Eye Witness to History:
Eye Witness to History is a wonderful website to incorporate primary sources such as first-hand accounts, vintage photographs, and radio broadcasts into your classroom.
Eye Witness to History is a wonderful website for both Global and United States History. The website presents history through the perspective of those who actually lived it – from the ancient world through the 20th century.

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