Wednesday, April 4, 2018, marked the 50-year anniversary of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. On April 4th, 1968, King was in Memphis, Tennessee, organizing on behalf of sanitation workers. He was staying at the Lorraine Motel. It was there he was fatally shot by James Earl Ray at 6:01 p.m. Predictably,…
Author: Andrew Pillow
Andrew Pillow is a middle school social studies teacher. He has taught in inner-city Indianapolis for over a decade. He is a Teach For America alumni and a former Teach Plus Policy Fellow. When he is not teaching he dabbles as a freelance writer.
No, We Don’t Need a Men’s History Month
It’s Women’s History Month and I have been teaching my class about the accomplishments of women throughout history. While pretty much all of my students are receptive to the idea of spending extra time learning about women, some of them do seem a bit confused as to why we are doing it. Some even going…
Women’s History Month Resources
Women’s History Month is in full swing. Schools are notoriously bad at having resources on hand to help teachers give students a well-rounded education about women’s accomplishments. So, here are some online resources to help you teach Women’s History Month in a way that is both engaging and practical for your students. 1. Documents from…
The Civil War Was About Slavery and Teachers Need to Stop Teaching Students Otherwise
The Civil War is the most important war in our nation’s history. It literally changed the geopolitical landscape of the country. The ramifications of the war caused major effects that can still be seen and felt today. From the end of slavery to the beginning of modern warfare, the Civil War has continued to matter…
The Food Pyramid Is Wrong and We Need to Stop Teaching It in School
How often have you seen the “food pyramid”? Probably your whole life. You’ve seen it in school. You’ve seen it at doctor’s offices. You’ve seen it on cereal boxes. The food pyramid has become almost ubiquitous in our daily lives. For as long as most of us can remember, the food pyramid has guided traditional…
What Do You Do When a Parent Thinks Their Child Is Perfect?
There are few things more annoying as a teacher than the “perfect student.” That’s because obviously, nobody is actually perfect. However, there are students whose parents believe they are perfect. These are the parents you hate calling to give a negative report because you know as soon as you tell them whatever offense their child…