World War I in the classroom, through the archives, and on stage

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]