Students in the 10th Grade European history course recently wrapped up their study of World War I. The unit highlighted best practices in education including differentiated instruction and project based learning. Historical context for the unit was covered through classroom instruction and discussion, the analysis of primary sources, and readings in the text. However, students […]
Blog Archives
Decisive Moments…
As the U.S. Supreme Court convenes this week to hear oral arguments on a number of important issues, the History Department launched a new elective course titled “Decisive Moments in United States History.” The course is modeled after the popular Science and Society course offered in the Winter Trimester. It is being team taught by […]
Simulation of the U.K. Parliament
Last night (Thursday, 14 December), the AP Comparative Government class participated in a simulation of a House of Commons debate in the fabulously refurbished Study Hall. The atmosphere was formal and even a bit unruly as the debate heated up; much like the actual House of Commons. Students researched their assigned party positions on four […]
Overhauling the Ninth-grade History Curriculum
Dr. Delvecchio and I just finished day #2 with our new freshmen historians. We’re also on day #2 of a bit of an experiment this year. Instead of following the well-worn path of the traditional European history survey, we’re revamping the curriculum by creating thematic units that invite students to connect a “moment” in European […]
Fall wrap up
Wow! I can’t believe that fall is almost over!! Looking back, I wonder exactly what I was doing. FIrst, the cross country team had its last league meet several weeks back at Cate School. As expected, we won the league, and I got a personal record of 20:10. I actually ran that race faster than […]
Busy as Ever!
This trimester has been busy and its now wrapping up with numerous class projects and exams, as well as the transition to the next semester of sports. In U.S. history class, taught by Mr. Carney, one of our projects to finish the trimester was an oral presentation on a historic election of our choice. Oral […]
HUSH
While the abbreviation of Honors US History may be HUSH, this class is far from silent. Even though there are only eight of us in the class, there is never a gap of silence in our discussions. In fact, usually, we are all yearning to get our word in! Honors US History is by far […]
New Classes: Looking to the Past, Present, and (my) Future
Even though Thacher life is busy, we’re still connected to the happenings of the rest of the world. This election year, we chat and debate politics over dinner and many of us watched the first presidential debate. In U.S. history class, everyday we have a short presentation on a current event related to the election. […]
Classroom discoveries: the power of culture
It’s been so good to be back in the classroom with curious and bright minds. Over the last two weeks, there have been a gaggle of moments when I’ve been impressed and startled by my students’ insights. Yesterday in European History, the tenth-graders and I were wrapping up a unit on European imperialism in Africa […]
Getty Villa
Yesterday morning the Latin department -19 students, one teacher, and two other faculty members piled into three Thacher vehicles and headed south to the Getty Villa. Modeled after a villa found in the remains of Pompeii, when the site was excavated, the Getty Villa is an oasis in the middle of Malibu, CA. It is […]