The Historian
Burleson ISD Journal of Social Science and History
The Historian
Welcome to The Historian newsletter, highlighting History and Social Sciences in Burleson ISD. This edition of The Historian will include the following:
- Source Bank For Writing and Research in Social Studies - New and Updated Handbook of Standards
- Learning and Teaching Tools - FRED, GEOFred, Virtual Economics And All The Others From The District Training
- Highlight on Advanced Placement - Updated AP Social Studies Course Pages
- Highlight on Instruction - Claim, Evidence and Reasoning (C.E.R) and Handbook of Standards
- Student Essay Contest Opportunities
- Training Opportunities - Thinking Like a Historian, Humanities Texas And a Few More
- Featured Historians of the Month - Kyle Smoke and Kirstin Self
Source Bank For Writing and Research in Social Studies
Learning and Teaching Tools
FRED
GEOFRED
The Beige Book
Statista
EconEDLink
Stanford History Education Group
Highlight on AP
AP Course Updates and Teaching Tools
- AP World History
- AP United States History
- AP Psychology
- AP European History
Highlight on Instruction
C.E.R and Marking The Text
Handbook of Standards
Student Essay Contest
Each year state and national essay contests offer opportunities for students to earn recognition and scholarship funding for their writing. Please consider looking at the ones included in this issue and sharing them with your students!
Professional Training Opportunities
Thinking Like a Historian
Thinking Like a Historian: Region XI, Fort Worth
November 11, 2018
8:30 - 3:30
This free training will be held during the week and registration is now open. Please ask your principal about attending and how to best arrange for substitutes as they will be a campus responsibility.
This class is designed to give teachers the resources to create inquiry-based lessons where students are "doing" history rather than "studying" history.
We will discuss how to apply scientific research practices to human actions and behavior from the past. We will learn how to create and develop critically thinking students in social studies.
Teaching With Digital Maps
September 19, 2018
8:30 - 3:30
There may be a fee for non Region VII teachers to attend. Please ask your principal about attending and how to best arrange for substitutes as they will be a campus responsibility.
Participants will learn how to create their own maps while exploring existing resources for use in their classrooms. All resources are free!
Center for Economic Education and Financial Literacy
This free training will be held during the week and registration is now open. Please ask your principal about attending and how to best arrange for substitutes as they will be a campus responsibility.
Participants will learn to analyze and use economic data with students in order to facilitate real-life decision making.
Humanities Texas
In the fall of 2018, Humanities Texas will hold several professional development programs throughout the State of Texas for Social Studies and Language Arts teachers.
Complete the Texas Humanities Application for consideration to attend one of these great trainings! Substitute cost and meals will be provided by Texas Humanities.
Featured Burleson ISD Historian of the Month
Featured Burleson ISD Historian of the Month - Kyle Smoke
- I will never forget my first job, I was 16 and a family friend hired me to be an apprentice at his alarm company. I soon came to realize that the term "apprentice" is code for "indentured servitude." It was long hot days spent in attics, crawl spaces and tight corners but I loved every minute of it, until I found a job that was air conditioned.
Share a Little Bit About Yourself- Where you grew up, went to school, current teaching and school assignment.
- I grew up in Bridge City a town of 6,000 people in Southeast Texas, graduated in a class of 120 from Bridge City High School, moved to Dallas for college and have no intentions of ever moving back. Reflecting on my childhood I can say that I am glad that I grew up in a small town about 70 miles from the beach but the mosquitoes and hurricanes were a killer. I currently teach 6th grade Social Studies at Kerr Middle School. Go Cougars!
Briefly tell about the person who had a great amount of influence on you. How was your life changed because of their investment?
- My grandmother was the most influential person in my life growing up, my mother didn't have much when I was young and worked two jobs to ensure my brother and I had what we needed. Because of this I spent most afternoons and summers an ma’s house, she is the woman who taught me how to be a gentleman, to balance a checkbook, admit when I am wrong and to live up to my mistakes. I wasn’t the sharpest tack in the box when it came to school and was often in trouble for goofing off (shocker, I know) but that never stopped her from believing in me, she paid for all four years of my bachelors degree allowing me to graduate college debt free. She will never know how grateful I am that she was in my life.
Name an area of history that is of specific interest to you and briefly tell why.
- The area of history that has always interested me the most is U.S. History, especially the Revolution Era. The bravery and determination of the founding men and women of this country has always inspired me and made me a little jealous that I didn’t live back in that time!
Tell about why you became a teacher and led to that decision
- The summers…..kidding! I've always been a people person and have enjoyed building relationship and making a difference in people's lives. While in college I had played with the idea of switching to an education major but decided I wanted to be rich, after spending my twenties in politics I decided that being rich is overrated and decided to pursue my true passion, teaching.
Tell about top two keys to success you have learned since becoming a teacher
- Give students your respect the moment they walk in the door, don’t make them “earn it” and admit to them when you are wrong.
If you knew he would listen, what would you tell your teenage self about the journey to come?
- Hang in there, it gets better. Also, pay attention in English class, it will actually come in quite handy.
Name a book you have read recently that had a major impact on you
- IT by Stephen King, I laid awake at night for about a week….
Any interesting or unique parts of your life you would like to share with your colleagues?
- Before becoming a teacher I worked in Texas politics and owned a small staffing company. Also, I am married to a woman who still works at the porta potty company she started thirteen years ago.
Complete the sentence: The historical figure I can relate to the most is...
- Davy Crockett. One of my all time favorite quotes is “You may all go to hell and I will go to Texas.” History has shown that when he decided on a course of action he followed threw unapologetically and didn’t turn back when things got ugly.
Featured Burleson ISD Historian of the Month - Kirstin Self
- After graduating high school, I was a customer attendant at Splash Station, the water park in Cleburne. It was incredibly hot all summer, and there were always people yelling at me for things outside of my control. The best part was the concession stand discount!
Share a Little Bit About Yourself- Where you grew up, went to school, current teaching and school assignment.
- I was born in Fort Worth. After moving around all over North Texas, my family moved to Georgia for a few years. Thankfully, I came back to the Promise Land, where I went to Cleburne from fourth grade through high school. After graduation, I attended Texas A&M University (WHOOP!) and ended up back in Burleson. My first two years teaching consisted of 7th Grade Texas History and ELA. I'm currently teaching 8th Grade U.S. History and the social studies lead at STEAM Middle School.
Briefly tell about the person who had a great amount of influence on you. How was your life changed because of their investment?
- While attending Texas A&M, I met some amazing people. Among many, a woman named Noel Devin had a lifelong impact on me. She was fierce, doggedly determined, and encouraging beyond words. She always challenged me to be better, and I am so grateful to have known her. Even after her passing, her influence is constant in my everyday life.
Name an area of history that is of specific interest to you and briefly tell why.
- I have and will always loved Texas History; specifically the Texas Revolution! Remember the Alamo!
Tell about why you became a teacher and led to that decision
- I've wanted to be a teacher since the age of ten. I loved being in a classroom setting, and I knew my creativity would be an asset in that position. Field work in college made me sure of that decision.
Tell about top two keys to success you have learned since becoming a teacher
- Strive for progress, not perfection. Growth is the main goal, so understanding that nothing will ever be perfect is key to success. Every day is good, some are just better than others. Positivity can make a tremendous difference, so try to find it in each day.
If you knew she would listen, what would you tell your teenage self about the journey to come?
- Keep going; time is temporary and it will get better.
Any interesting unique parts of your life you would like to share with your colleagues?
- I love hand-lettering and crafting in my free time.
Complete the sentence: The historical figure I can relate to the most is...
- Sam Houston. He fought for what he believed in, and he put importance on those who meant the most to him.