This week brought the close of my Arizona History class …. I’m happy and sad. Teaching this class was the most fun of all the classes I’ve ever taught. Let’s face it, Arizona History is a small blip on any timeline of history… we’re not even 100 years old until next Valentine’s Day! So I was forced into my creative mode to keep these high schoolers learning! We only had 18 classes and four of those were field trip days! That is my kind of learning!
On Monday I finished writing the final exam and on Tuesday I packed all of my resources into a box… headed for the garage. Yesterday was the last class and today I sat down and made a note to myself of all the things I need to fix and change when I teach it again in four years. Wondering all the while, why am I such a history-loving nerd???
This is a huge relief to not have any student papers sitting on my desk, staring at me, whilst awaiting grades. I know how important it is for students to learn how to research and write a report, but by golly, I hate marking them! It doesn’t even take that long, but I have a pre-report-grading phobia that causes me to procrastinate like my own high school days of old.
History is always more interesting when you can dig up the funny pictures and weird facts. Here are just a few for your own Arizona-History-loving-heart: We studied two very influential men to Arizona… each one only had one arm. Seriously, what other state can boast about that?? And where else can you find small towns with names like Bisbee, Bumble Bee, Globe, Tombstone, and Strawberry? I know I’m probably underwhelming you, so I’ll end with my favorite picture… of my favorite General from the Civil War…. Gen. George Crook. Imagine how seriously you would be taken sporting a beard like this?!?
BAM! Believe it!
My Sister's Jar 