Author Archives: Michael K. Milton

About Michael K. Milton

I teach students Social Studies at Burlington High School. When I became a teacher, I believed that students would frequently give me apples. This has not happened (not even a Red Delicious ~ a name which is a misnomer). However, my school has given me a MacBook Pro and an iPad in an effort to right this wrong (I assume). I'm very lucky to work in a 1:1 school.

A Procedure for Reading Difficult Documents

Posted on November 11, 2014 by Michael K. Milton

As you would not chug a hot cup of tea, you also should not speed through a primary document! You risk a burnt tongue and not fully understanding what you just read. Try reading Jonathan Swift’s A Modest Proposal quickly! … Continue reading →

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Thoughts on PowerPointing

Posted on November 3, 2014 by Michael K. Milton

My friend Joe Sangillo wrote a great post for Discovery Education about how he uses PowerPoint presentations in the class. It got me thinking a lot about the struggle that I am currently having with “PowerPoints.” My thoughts. I love … Continue reading →

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Teaching Historical Interpretation: Interpreting Student Life Events

Posted on June 30, 2014 by Michael K. Milton

“Who even knows if this really happened,” one of my students declared this year. “How do you think? How does one find out about anything?” I responded wanting to discuss how history is formed – the need to find artifacts … Continue reading →

Posted in History, Reflection | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

Going Meta: Cataloguing My Past Two Years of Blogging

Posted on March 16, 2014 by Michael K. Milton

As my blog turned two this past week, I felt it would be a good time to look back at one of the things I have worked on in my spare time these past few years. Over the past two … Continue reading →

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“We’re not gonna take it. No, we ain’t gonna take it. Oh, we’re not gonna take it anymoooore.” While preparing for the upcoming school year, Twisted Sister’s epic protest song began playing as I read the Declaration of Independence. Obviously … Continue reading →

Posted on February 21, 2014 by Michael K. Milton | 5 Comments

American Vision Dating Game: Hamilton, Jefferson, and the Importance of Sharing

Posted on February 18, 2014 by Michael K. Milton

Sometimes you put an idea out “there” and the world amazes you. That is absolutely what happened in this case. As many know, I am involved in a historical improv show called An Improvised People’s History. In order to  learn more … Continue reading →

Posted in History, Reflection | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Law and Order: French Revolution [The Importance of Using Evidence!]

Posted on February 18, 2014 by Michael K. Milton

Over the summer, it occurred to me that History class should be like the hit television show Law and Order. Law – Investigate, Corroborate, Develop Case Order – Develop Case, Create and Defend Argument So after noticing that many of my … Continue reading →

Posted in Common Core, History | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments

Teaching the Constitution: Bill of Rights Marketing Campaign (an improv-inspired activity)

Posted on November 15, 2013 by Michael K. Milton

What happens when you mix an improv game with history? Answer – a magical long period! This activity is based on an improv game called Ad Game. In Ad Game players invent something to market, a slogan for the item/service, a … Continue reading →

Posted in History | Tagged , , , , , | 6 Comments

Teaching the Constitution: Superheroes and the Branches of Government

Posted on November 10, 2013 by Michael K. Milton

As a new teacher to both the US History I curriculum and to teaching 9th graders, I was struggling teaching students about the difference in the branches of governments. I tried a variety of ways to do this: I gave … Continue reading →

Posted in History | Tagged , , , , | 7 Comments

The Enlightenment Meets Social Media: Want to Help?

Posted on September 17, 2013 by Michael K. Milton

(Update Below) This week, my students have become consultants to Enlightenment thinkers and are attempting to reintroduce themselves to the modern world using Twitter and Blogger. Tomorrow they will begin to broadcast the beliefs of the Baron de Montesquieu, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, … Continue reading →

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