Texas: A Diverse Landscape
Joshua V. Chanin is a AP U.S. History Teacher at Coppell High School. He previously taught at A&M-Commerce. Mr. Chanin received his bachelor's degree from Austin College, where he was awarded the Folbre Prize in History, and later earned his master's degree from the University of Texas at Arlington. Mr. Chanin is author of a biography on education reformer Sallie Brooke Capps. Please email at joshuathehistorian@gmail.com if you have any questions about TX history. Enjoy the blog!
Thursday, August 3, 2023
Mr. Chanin's Visit to Huntsville & Waco
Tuesday, June 20, 2023
2022-2023 Teaching Reflection
I finished my second year as a high school history teacher a few weeks ago - it was a BLAST! This past year I stretched my wings and taught both the Advanced Placement United States History and the standard ("on-level") U.S. History classes. Since there are many different types of students and learning abilities in both sections, I approached each history class a little differently, carefully blending direct instruction with independent learning and small group discussions to ensure each student mastered the content and became passionate about social studies. I was incredibly proud of each of my students, who appeared to sincerely enjoy my lessons and the many individual/group assignments I created for them. Despite the many late nights I had planning activities and the many early morning/late afternoon tutoring sessions I offered, the positives from teaching both U.S. History sections outweighed the negatives - I enjoyed the challenges! My students excelled on the state U.S. History STAAR exam; 99% met expectations while 61% mastered expectations (compared with the 39% state average). Besides state exam results, it appeared from my End-Of-Course evaluations that a majority of my students walked away from my U.S. History classes smiling, having developed skills that they will continue to use for a lifetime and acquired knowledge and personal courage to positively change their community. Additionally, all my students know that they have a teacher who will consistently encourage them to do their best in academics and extra-curriculars and support them in their final months of high school and beyond. Again, I might sound like a broken record... yet I am beyond blessed to have a fantastic job and to be assisted by a network of caring administrators and veteran educators. I am looking forward to another exciting challenge in next years schedule, picking up the IB History of the Americas 1 course! Below I have attached some photographs from the year as well as my class/teacher reviews.
Selected End-Of-Course Evaluations
"I feel like all history teachers are fun and are good at explaining history to students, but Mr.Chanin did more than that and he was very interactive with each student, making sure we understood anything. Mr.Chanin is a real one.”
"The way Mr. Chanin taught and was involved with the class in order to get the information to them was really good. His positive energy helped get the class involved with learning and actually wanting to learn. Just keep doing what you’re doing Mr. Chanin, you’re a great teacher :D”
“Yes, Mr. Chanin worded things that helped us understand every perspective and aspect of the lesson we were on. He’s amazing! He’s very lenient and understanding and he genuinely cares about his students futures and even personal health.”
“Yes, Mr. Chanin’s teaching style is the best out of any History teachers. Most History teachers just give you all the slides to write down your own notes. He actually goes through the slides and points out any information to write down.”
"I liked Mr. Chanin’s lectures because of the way he kept the class engaged using humor and having class discussions.”
“I really liked your interactive lectures in class. You really made me love history because unlike most other teachers, you stood up and told us history as an interesting and relevant story, and made us understand its importance. Thank you so much for doing this! Yes! As mentioned above, your lectures and interactive lesson really made me interested in history and made me want to learn more. Keep doing what you’re doing… you’re truly an inspiration to me!”
“My favorite part of the APUSH class was how the class felt welcoming. Although I was intimidated by the difficulty of the class, I felt like I could walk into the class without constant stress/pressure. The classroom environment is lively which also contributes to why I like this class. Not really, I enjoyed this class a bunch even though it was challenging at times! Mr. Chanin made class discussions interesting and captivated my attention. Rather than reading straight off the slideshow, he would make it engaging by asking the class and by telling personal stories.”
“My favorite part of the APUSH class was definitely Mr. Chanin! I don't think that I would have enjoyed this class or looked forward to coming here everyday if I did not have you as my teacher… no not really :D I really enjoyed your interactive lectures and method of explanation and I could not have asked for a better APUSH teacher.”
A Trip To Boston - (2022 Summer)
Before I continue posting my APUSH lesson plans, I would like to talk about/show readers my wonderful experience in Boston in the 2022 summer. My wife, who has a PhD in statistics, was invited to present her research at a conference in Downtown Boston in July 2022. Thus, I had the opportunity to join her and visit some of the preserved sites of the American Revolution. This was a fantastic trip - I learned a lot of history stories that I incorporated in my APUSH lectures and I immersed myself in the New England culture by devouring clam chowder and lobster rolls. I felt at home in Boston, walking the cobbled streets surrounded by old-ish buildings, dodging spells of inclement weather, and chatting to a few passerbys who were intrigued by my accent as much as I was with theirs. In sum, Boston reminded me of my hometown, London, England, and I am extremely glad that I was able to pay the city a visit. I would not hesitate to visit again! Below I have put a bunch of photographs from my Boston trip (in the 2022 summer):
Enjoying the crisp New England air and lush surroundings... the Boston Commons Park is famous for its lakes and swan-boats. Author's Collections. |
My wife and I preparing to board our plane to Boston, July 2022. Author's Collections. |
Monday, May 15, 2023
APUSH Units 1-3 Big Ideas
In this blog post and the next several posts, I will be sharing some AP United States History presentations that I have created for the next academic year. Each lecture presentation focuses on the big ideas of a unit and correlates with the APUSH Course and Exam Description (CED - aka the College Board curriculum). If you are a APUSH teacher, you may use these presentations for your classes, with my permission. My goal is to immerse the students into the content as well as give them many opportunities to connect topics together - after all, history is one BIG story!
APUSH Unit 1 Big Ideas Presentation - the content focuses on the indigenous peoples and early European conquests, 1491-1607.
APUSH Unit 2 Big Ideas Presentation - the content focuses on Britain's thirteen colonies in the New World, including founding, people, economies, political institutions, religion, and cultures, 1607-1754.
APUSH Unit 3 Big Ideas Presentation - the content focuses on the French & Indian War, Revolutionary War, and the establishment of a new government in the United States, 1754-1800.
APUSH (Muppets) Review - a fun study guide for the students - each of the presidents is depicted as a muppet... I enjoy talking about these leaders as their political philosophies and visions embody the spirit of our nation in their times. Also, I have found that my students recall historical events easier when they learn about the life and times of the presidents!
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Friday, May 5, 2023
FQM Royal Article & Denison Hotel
I recently had an article published in the online French Quarter Magazine (May 1, 2023) on the late Queen Elizabeth II's warm relationship with France. The article surveys the Queen's sincere passion for the French language, culture, and people during her 70-year reign; the former British monarch harbored an interest in France since she was a young girl, where she learned to speak French and had the opportunity to meet prominent French elected officials and military generals. That relationship flourished through state visits, royal banquets, military parades, and political meetings over seven decades. This was my second article on the late Queen; the first was about Her Majesty's legacy in Texas and published in the North Texas e-News. I thoroughly enjoyed writing both of them, as a historian and a proud monarchist. Again, I give praise to my fantastic editor, Isabelle Karamooz, who consistently supports my writing endeavors. I would recommend reading this article in preparation for King Charles III's coronation on May 6, 2023!
"Vive la Reine!": The Queen's Legacy in France article link (enjoy reading!)
My wife and I recently visited my sister in Sherman. On the way back home, we swerved off course towards Denison, Sherman's little sister city in North Texas. Denison has a fascinating history - including being the birthplace of WWII hero and President Dwight D. Eisenhower. One of the old Denison buildings that has a rich history is the old Denison Hotel, one of the tallest buildings in the region. The hotel was built by local businessman Howard Murray Smith in 1884, and was often regarded as "one of the finest hotels in the region," according to critics. Every room on ten floors had luxury furniture that was manufactured in Texas factories, and the grand lobby had a cigar lounge and a dignified dining room. An elevator was added to the facility in 1910 to accommodate the large amount of guests that stayed in the city during the early years of the Progressive Era. Guests at the hotel also enjoyed reading volumes by William Shakespeare and Mark Twain at the hotel's stocked library, located on the second floor. The wealthiest guests rolled around in the splendors of the penthouse suite on the top floor, complete with a balcony and splendid views of the North Texas/Oklahoma countryside.
On the evening of September 23, 1927, the Young family from New York was getting ready for dinner in their suite when a fire broke out in the empty room above. The embroidered ceiling collapsed without warning, killing all five members of the Young family and a maid. The city's fire department was unable to control the high-rise building fire, and the flames were soon out of control. The dining room's ceiling collapsed, killing many people. At the end of the fire, when the embers glowed and an eerily silence fell on the hotel, officials inspected the damage. The damage was extensive - the interior was destroyed and only the exterior brick remained. After a period of mourning, a group of local businessmen who were upset that the city had no other hotel, including W.E. and Arthur Simpson and Joe M. Crumpton, sold over $200,000 worth of bonds to rebuild the hotel. The new facility was magnificent, a product of the 1920s economic boom. The Great Houdini, a revered Hungarian stunt performer, said the new incarnation of the Denison Hotel was the. "most elegant hotel between Dallas and Kansas City." Room rates began at $2 and ran up to $3.50, and more than 60,000 guests signed the hotel's register every year in the late 1920s and 1940s (there was a dip in hotel stays during the 1930s Great Depression).
The fire escape at the back of the Denison Hotel - it does not look very safe... Author's Collections. |
Famous guests at the Denison Hotel included celebrated country singer Roy Rogers, actress Rosemary Clooney and famed Puerto Rican. Jose Ferrer on their honeymoon, and longtime Congressman and North Texas benefactor Sam Rayburn. In October 1948, the Denison Hotel Company President T.J. Long sold the locally-owned hotel to the Alsonett Hotel Company. As the number of large hotel corporations drastically grew in the Cold War years, the traffic at the Denison Hotel gradually drained... some locals recalled to have seen ghosts in the lobby and rooms because the spaces were so empty. According to local records, the hotel suites were renovated to one and two-bedroom apartments sometime between 1997 and 2014. I am not sure when the Denison Hotel facility closed, yet the building appeared abandoned and worn-out when my wife and I took photographs in spring 2023. Despite its rough shape today, the Denison Hotel building continues to stand tall as a proud, significant symbol of Denison's colorful history.
Research is from the Denison City Archives and Vintage History Profile (digital resources).
Wednesday, May 3, 2023
Last-Minute APUSH Review Packets
My Advanced Placement United States History (APUSH) students take their AP exam this Friday; the exam - which comprises of stimulus multiple-choice questions, short-answer prompts, a document-based question, and longer essay prompt - is the climax of the course and the culmination of many long-winded lectures, group discussions, and late-night study sessions. To briefly prep my students for the AP exam, I created a few review packets, which survey significant political, economic, social, and military events in American history. I was very proud of my APUSH students from last year, who outperformed the state and global score averages (Mr. Chanin's students who received a passing score of a "3" or above - 57%, state - 39%, global - 48%) - I also had 36 students who received a "4" and 10 students received a coveted "5". I have high expectations for this year's APUSH students, and I am very proud of their hard work/dedication. The review packets have been attached below - if you are a new APUSH teacher, you may use these for your classes, with my permission:
Significant APUSH Dates/Documents - you do not need to know the specific dates of events in American history, yet it helps to know the story of the United States in chronological order to prepare you for the SAQs, DBQ & LEQ writing prompts. I always remind my students to "visualize" the American story in their head (i.e. a digital timeline).
APUSH Political Cartoon Review - there is going to be at least one political cartoon on the APUSH exam; I frequently give my AP students political cartoons to closely examine and analyze after each unit. This final practice sheet will give students another opportunity to scrutinize the politics of specific eras.
We Love Content! Review - APUSH students are required to know a lot of content - eras, events, people, places - ranging from Columbus to modern politics. Being familiar with the content is essential to passing the AP exam (and hopefully get a "4" or a "5"). I usually give groups of students time to recall this content (without looking at their notes) and attempt to complete the worksheet - what can they remember from the Colonial Era?! A class discussion follows the worksheet, where I usually have groups share their findings with other groups.
APUSH Political, Social, Judicial Review - once again, students need to be familiar with the content - the large review packet here contains significant Supreme Court cases, military conflicts, rebellions, land acquisitions, government crises, major political parties, among other concepts... don't we just love all this content?!
GODD LUCK on your APUSH exam on Friday, y'all!
Wednesday, April 19, 2023
Additional Teacher Resources - US History
By popular demand, I am sharing additional resources for U.S. History teachers, found below. All of my assignments and activities are student-led, have academic purpose, and require a certain degree of critical thinking. If you are a US History teacher, feel free to use these resources during your lesson planning:
Muckrakers Worksheet - I usually use this worksheet after a lecture on the Progressive Era Muckrakers. Students read brief biographies on Ida Tarbell, Lincoln Steffens, and Upton Sinclair, among others, and apply their new knowledge on significant reformers to answer several questions. Originally found on the Teachers Pay Teachers website.
Analyzing Booker T. Washington v. W.E.B. DuBois - this is another worksheet that I found online; this assignment gives students an opportunity to look further into the lives of two radically-opposed giants of the early African American Civil Rights Movements (in the Gilded Age/Progressive Era), Washington and DuBois. Additionally, I enjoy discussing with my students the connections to this early crusade with the later movement we see in the 1950s/1960s with MLK Jr. and Malcolm X.
America: The Story Of Us, Heartland - worksheet that is completed by students as they watch this episode of the America: The Story Of Us documentary - this video offers a fantastic survey of westward expansion and industrial boom after the Civil War (commonly known to historians as the Gilded Age).
America: The Story Of Us, Cities - worksheet that is completed by students as they watch this episode of the America: The Story Of Us documentary - this video offers a superb introduction to the Progressive Age, including the Titans of Industry and immigration. I remember watching this fascinating series in my 5th grade classes at Denton Creek Elementary and falling in love with American history - I persuaded my parents to buy me the DVD box set... I am a history nerd! My students also thoroughly enjoy these videos!
Study Of The Titanic/Social Classes - my wife and I are Titanic nerds, and immediately booked our movie tickets when James Cameron announced he was re-releasing his 1997 blockbuster in theaters in 3D/4K - and it was fantastic! The movie's score always gives me goosebumps! Since my APUSH were studying the Gilded Age at the time of the film's re-release, I decided it would be a great idea for us to examine the social class hierarchy on the RMS Titanic. My students watched various clips from the movie, comparing the dress, mannerisms, and customs of both Rose and Jacks' worlds - small group discussions followed.
USA Imperialism Graphic Organizer - this may be completed by students after a lecture on the Spanish-American War and U.S. Imperialism; the worksheet encourages students to understand the big ideas and factors that motivated America to create their own mini empire in the early twentieth century.
Flappers Video Notes - when time permits, I usually show an old, yet interesting documentary on the 1920s flappers and task my students to take video notes; I discuss the evolution of American women dress, mannerisms, and sexuality during the 1920s lectures, and this video is an appropriate resource to show in class that surveys this episode of major societal change.
Major Modern Events Worksheet - since time catches up on us at the end of the academic year, I usually do not have adequate time to discuss the events at the start of the 21st century in detail; therefore, my class and I have a productive yet brief discussion on major modern events (2000 presidential election, 9/11, Iraq invasion, Hurricane Katrina, and the 2008 presidential election - i.e. significant events in George W. Bush and Barack Obama's presidencies). During the discussion, I assign my students this worksheet to fill out.
Monday, April 17, 2023
1970s/1980s/Modern Era Teacher Resources
I am currently wrapping up the TEKS & content in my on-level U.S. History classes - students will take the state STAAR exam next week. Although I have felt that we were rushed for time (the "no school" ice week in February did not help our schedule), I have constantly reviewed the content as well as given many End-Of-Course Exam resources to my students. I strongly believe that my U.S. History students are fully prepared to ace this state exam! I am happy to report that we made it to the historic 2008 presidential election - we covered a lot of content between the end of the Civil War in 1865 and 2008. Below, you will find some of the assignments I created for the final unit of our course (Modern Era) to familiarize my students with the United States' changing role in global affairs at the end of the Cold War and into the new century - teachers, please feel free to use my resources to help you while planning lessons:
UGTP Nixon/Ford Questions - students answer the questions while watching the Nixon/Ford segment of Ultimate Guide to the Presidents, episode 8. Video is one of the best teaching tools to streamline content!
UGTP Carter/Reagan Questions - up next... students answer the questions while watching the Carter/Reagan segment of Ultimate Guide to the Presidents, episode 8.
UGTP Modern Presidents Questions - students answer the questions while watching the final segment of Ultimate Guide to the Presidents, episode 8 (surveying the presidencies of Bush Sr., Clinton, Bush Jr., and Obama - essential question: how has the Office of the Presidency changed since the days of Lincoln?).
Carter/Reagan Cartoon Analysis - students closely examine political cartoons of the Carter/Reagan Era and survey the political climate that existed in the nation at the end of the Cold War. Again, I consider political cartoons as useful primary source tools for students to study in order to grasp an understanding of what life was like from a particular era.
CounterCulture/Vietnam Geography Worksheet - in this assignment, students briefly learn about the 1960s and 1970s CounterCulture Movement (aka the Hippies) and the geography of Southeast Asia (the latter part of the worksheet encourages students to acquire new geography skills, which in turn later helps them visualize the conflict in Vietnam and South China Sea).
Examining Watergate Worksheet - this is a reading comprehension assignment, where students read a synopsis of the infamous Watergate Scandal before answering several questions. Students also become familiar with Nixon's response, and ultimately consider how the Watergate Scandal led to public distrust of the Office of the Presidency.
1960s/1970s STAAR Practice - this is a warm-up activity where students may become familiar with STAAR questions and test their knowledge on American politics during the 1960s/1970s.
Vietnam War Review - also, this is a warm-up activity where students have the opportunity to further master content from the Vietnam War Era. I enjoy letting the kids loose for 10-15 minutes and allow them to have those highly-productive conversations before discussing answers/test-taking strategies as a class.
Carter/Reagan Review - a warm-up activity focusing on the presidencies of Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan. I love content reviews with my students!
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Monday, April 10, 2023
1960s Civil Rights Teacher Resources
In March, I guided my U.S. History students through the significant Civil Rights Movements of the 1950s, 1960s & 1970s. We discussed the importance of the African American civil rights marches throughout the South, which spawned other civil rights campaigns, including Asian Americans, Native Americans, gay Americans, disabled Americans, Hispanic Americans & the elderly. Also, we engaged in provoking chats on the civil rights leaders, including Martin Luther King Jr., Betty Friedan, Cesar Chavez, and Malcolm X. At the end of the unit, we reviewed the material and I emphasized the fact that the civil rights movements in the United States never officially ended - the campaigns are active today, most notably the Black Lives Movement and abortion/Planned Parenthood crusades, among others. The resources I have attached below were created by me, and include lecture presentations (which are tied to Texas standards), worksheets, and student-driven (fun) activities. If you are a high school history educator, feel free to use these resources in your class, and let me know how your students responded to each report - enjoy!
Lectures (created by Mr. Chanin, 2023) - each lecture includes content and academic vocabulary that the state requires U.S. History students to be familiar with (Unit 8 of the 11th grade curriculum). Images and embedded videos provide students with a fuller, colorful picture of what happened in the United States at this time. Each lecture has a recap slide at the end, where the teacher may highlight the important parts of that presentation (and allow the students to "connect the dots"). My lectures emphasize content as well as critical thinking/application opportunities. Each lecture (20-30 minutes in duration) was presented on the projector and the students were tasked to answer questions on the content. After the lectures, I reviewed the material with my students and ensured everyone was familiar with the main people, places & events of this unit before moving on.
Segregation in Post-WWII Period - this lecture covers the Jim Crow Laws & methods Southern officials used to suppress the black vote, the Green Book, the NAACP & CORE, Thurgood Marshall, and the 1954 landmark Supreme Court case Brown v. Board of Education.
The Civil Rights Revolution - this lecture surveys the heart of the African American crusade, including Rosa Parks and the bus boycott, Martin Luther King Jr, freedom riders, sit-ins, Little Rock Nine, Selma, 1963 March on Washington, and LBJ's 1964 Civil Rights Act & 1965 Voting Rights Act.
Redefining Equality: Black Power & Affirmative Action - this lecture covers black ghettos & the Kerner Commission, Malcolm X, black power & Black Panther Party, Afrocentrism (including the hit TV series Roots), and the 1968 Civil Rights Act.
The Widening Struggle - the final lecture in this unit surveys the other civil rights campaigns in America after WWII, including women, Native Americans, Asian Americans, Hispanic Americans, disabled & gay Americans, and the elderly. In all my classes, I strive to foster a diverse & inclusive atmosphere by discussing histories and viewpoints from every culture in the U.S.A. - our nation's history is not only the story of the white men!
JFK & LBJ - a short presentation on John F. Kennedy & Lyndon B. Johnson, the presidents in the 1960s. It is important for students to become familiar with the White House occupants and politics of this era so that a higher level of content immersion can occur.
Notes/Assignments (created by Mr. Chanin, 2023) - lecture notes are given to the students prior to the start of each lecture; students then answer each question according to the information in the lecture. The many student-driven assignments in this unit were designed to give students the opportunities to not only become more familiar with the content, but also apply the material to real-life scenarios.
Segregation in Post-WWII Notes - the notes worksheet that pairs with the first lecture.
Civil Rights Revolution Notes - the notes worksheet that pairs well with the second lecture.
Redefining Equality Notes - the notes worksheet that pairs with the third lecture.
Widening Struggle Notes - the notes worksheet that pairs well with the fourth & final lecture
Brown v. Board of Education Cartoon Analysis - I consider political cartoons to be invaluable primary resources to study the past - these "doodles" give us a unique window into how the media and public were feeling about a particular event, person, or topic in time. In this worksheet, students analyze a few political cartoons on the famous 1954 Supreme Court case, and answer questions that require critical-thinking skills. The analysis activity pairs well with the first lecture.
Civil Rights Road Trip Timeline - this is a massive assignment - students create a timeline/roadmap on the events from the African American Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s/1960s. Students observe the cause & effect relationships, as well as the dramatic buildup of this great American crusade. This assignment links to the content found in the second lecture.
MLK "I have a dream" Speech Analysis - I enjoy discussing the importance of great speeches in American history; these passionate and timely outbursts illustrate a person's emotions and plans for a brighter future. MLK's "I have a dream" speech is an essential primary resource for students to examine during this unit. In this assignment, students will grasp the sincere gravity of the situation many African Americans found themselves in during the 1960s. The assignment pairs well with the third lecture after students have compared MLK's peaceful marches with Malcolm X's abrasive/direct campaign.
A Farmer's Tale Activity - after students have learned about the various other Civil Rights crusades that were happening across America in the latter-half of the twentieth century, they are tasked to imagine being a Hispanic-American farmer in either California or Texas and document their story (i.e. a journal entry). Students are asked to get creative, and write down everything they do, every person they meet (including Cesar Chavez), and every union/labor organization they join. Students who enjoy writing and using their imagination will love this brief writing activity. This assignment pairs well with the fourth lecture.
Review Presentation #1 & Review Presentation #2 - these may be used as warm-up activities for students where they are able to informally test their prior knowledge without looking at notes. Class discussions about correct & wrong answers/test-taking strategies follow the reviews.
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