Author Archives: Michael K. Milton

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About Michael K. Milton

I teach Social Studies in Massachusetts. When I began teaching, I assumed the job would involve a steady supply of apples. I was mistaken. Teaching, however, is fascinating (though less Apple-y) - I get to work with great students and colleagues, and I get to try things out. This blog, which I started in my early years of teaching and have recently returned to, is a place where I share projects I’ve worked on and think out loud about my practice. I also like puns probably too much.

Teacher Trading Cards: Collect Them All!

Posted on March 23, 2012 by Michael K. Milton

Instead of “Baseball Cards,” imagine if children collected “Teacher Cards”? Every week, students saved up their allowance to purchase their “Teacher Cards” and a stick of stale gum from the corner store. This is a brief conversation I imagine students … Continue reading →

Posted in Reflection | Tagged , , , | 6 Comments

The Enlightenment: A Glam Rock Music Epic (proposal)

Posted on March 20, 2012 by Michael K. Milton

I would like to write a glam rock musical based on the Enlightenment. This would probably be the greatest glam rock musical based on the Enlightenment ever (unless there are more). The major thing that is holding me back is … Continue reading →

Posted in History | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

Connecting Lessons to Common Core: Your Own Personal Latin American Revolution

Posted on March 19, 2012 by Michael K. Milton

For the past week, I have been reflecting on past lessons to see how they align to the Common Core Standards for History/Social Studies. I have thoroughly enjoyed setting aside time to look at how the lessons that I have … Continue reading →

Posted in Common Core, History | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Connecting Lessons to Common Core: Personal Journals during the French Revolution

Posted on March 18, 2012 by Michael K. Milton

As I said before, my Social Studies department is meeting this week to discuss activities and lessons that align with the Common Core Standards for History/Social Studies. I became very excited last Friday afternoon when I found that the Common Core … Continue reading →

Posted in Common Core, History | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Why I Teach: The Importance of Teachers and the Zombie Apocalypse

Posted on March 15, 2012 by Michael K. Milton

Part of my inspiration for being a teacher is that I believe I can stave off the Zombie Apocalypse (or Zombocalypse as a friend offered). Not single-handedly, mind you. My occasional delusions of grandeur are never quite so grand. I … Continue reading →

Posted in Reflection | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

My Idea: Making Teacher Prep More Like Scrubs

Posted on March 14, 2012 by Michael K. Milton

Imagine if Teacher Prep programs were more like the hit TV Show Scrubs! While I have been accused of having ridiculous fantasies, I actually think this idea has some merit. I mean, doctors have “Teaching Hospitals” (as seen on ER, … Continue reading →

Posted in Reflection | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Connecting Lessons to Common Core: Enlightenment – Declaration of Independence

Posted on March 14, 2012 by Michael K. Milton

As I said before, my Social Studies department is meeting next week to discuss activities and lessons that align with the Common Core Standards for History/Social Studies. As I am a fairly new teacher, I am using this as an … Continue reading →

Posted in Common Core, History | Tagged , , , | 8 Comments

Connecting Lessons to Common Core: A Missed Opportunity

Posted on March 13, 2012 by Michael K. Milton

In a few weeks, I am sitting down with my Social Studies department to discuss the Common Core standards for History/Social Studies and identify lessons and activities that meet them. The idea of this meeting really excites me because I … Continue reading →

Posted in Common Core, History, Reflection | Tagged , , | 9 Comments

Personalizing History: The Industrial Revolution

Posted on March 12, 2012 by Michael K. Milton

As a review of the Industrial Revolution, I wanted my students to interact with the text, rather than simply regurgitating it. I decided to have my students take on the persona of someone who’s life was turned upside down due … Continue reading →

Posted in History | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Book Review – World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War

Posted on March 11, 2012 by Michael K. Milton

World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War by Max Brooks Let me start off by declaring my complete and utter hatred of zombies. Zombies are shortsighted cannibals who turn their victims into zombies. I will never understand … Continue reading →

Posted in Books | Tagged , , | 1 Comment