Annotating articles: Your ultimate guide for effective reading Aaron S. Robertson Introduction As middle school students and high school students, you're probably used to us teachers harping on you all the time, "Use your annotating strategies!" and "Don't forget to highlight as you read!" and so on. And rightly so. See, us teachers understand that merely reading an article or book isn't enough to fully comprehend the text. It's easy to forget key details and to totally miss potentially valuable concepts, insights, and deeper connections by only reading on the surface. The way to become a cr ..read more

Imagination unleashed: Tips & strategies for creating memorable characters for your stories Creative writing ideas, tips, and strategies for character development employed in stories. Introduction For many writers, character development is one of the most exciting yet challenging parts of storytelling. How do we make our characters three-dimensional so that readers can relate to them? How do we make them unique and memorable? In this post, we'll explore some creative writing ideas, tips, and strategies for developing compelling characters that will captivate your readers! 1. Start with ..read more

Dorothy Day: A life of faith and activism Dorothy Day (1897-1980) was an American journalist, social activist, and devout Catholic convert whose life and work left an indelible mark on the social justice landscape of the 20th century. Co-founder of the Catholic Worker Movement, she dedicated her life to advocating for the poor and marginalized, merging deep faith with fervent activism. This essay explores her early life, conversion to Catholicism, founding of the Catholic Worker Movement, and her enduring legacy. Early life and influences Dorothy Day was born on November 8, 1897, in Brookl ..read more

The 1909-1911 T206 baseball card set: A comprehensive overview The 1909-1911 T206 baseball card set, often referred to as the "White Border" set, as well as "The Monster" due to its sheer size of 524 cards, is one of the most iconic and sought-after collections in the history of baseball card collecting. Produced by the American Tobacco Company (ATC), this set includes some of the most legendary figures in early baseball and has become a cornerstone for collectors and historians alike. This essay explores the origins, design, key cards, and enduring legacy of the beautiful, eye-appealing T206 ..read more

In this latest installment of our ongoing, occasional series, "Exploring the world of music," we take a look at the legendary country blues duo, Sonny Terry & Brownie McGhee. Sonny Terry & Brownie McGhee: Pioneers of the country blues Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee were a dynamic country blues duo whose musical partnership spanned over four decades, leaving an indelible mark on the blues genre. Their collaboration brought the raw, emotive power of the blues to a broader audience, blending traditional sounds with their unique styles and personal stories. This essay explores their backg ..read more

Introduction Summer vacation can be a wonderful time for students to relax and rejuvenate, but it can also be a valuable opportunity for continued learning in enjoyable and engaging ways. Here are several ideas and resources for middle school and high school students to make the most of their summer break while still enriching their minds. Discover various projects, games, simulations, reading, travel, and hands-on opportunities. Project-based learning: Encourage students to embark on a summer-long project aligned with their own interests and passions. This could include starting a gard ..read more

Introduction The Men Who Built America is a multi-episode docu-drama series by the History Channel that originally aired in 2012, chronicling the lives and achievements of some of America's most influential industrialists. These men transformed the United States from a post-Civil War nation into a global economic powerhouse. This study guide provides an overview of the main figures, significant events, and key developments in manufacturing history covered in the series. Main Industrialists 1. Cornelius Vanderbilt (1794-1877) Industry: Railroads and Shipping Key Achievements: Known as ..read more

Aaron's note: The first car that I bought on my own was a 1979 Lincoln Continental Mark V with a 400 cu. in. V-8 engine - purchased in the summer of 2002 when I came home after completing my freshman year of college. I remember learning it was made for the Florida market, which explained its turquoise leather seats and interior. The exterior was originally turquoise, as well, but a previous owner had it painted white. A beautiful car, it was 20 feet long, with the front hood itself taking up about five of those feet! It could seat six people, if needed, and it weighed about 4,600 pounds! It wa ..read more

The division of Germany and the race for scientific talent after World War II An essay about how the United States, Britain, France, and the Soviet Union split up Germany after World War II and fought over German scientists and engineers. In the aftermath of World War II, Europe lay in ruins, with many nations facing the daunting task of rebuilding. Among the most pressing issues was the fate of Germany, whose defeat left a power vacuum in the heart of the continent. The Allied powers - comprising the United States, Britain, France, and the Soviet Union - sought to reshape Germany's future ..read more

In this latest installment of our ongoing, occassional series, "Exploring the world of music," we take a look at the music, legacies, and tragic deaths of Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and The Big Bopper. The tragic event known as "The day the music died" refers to the fateful day of February 3, 1959, when three of Rock 'n' Roll’s brightest stars - Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and J.P. Richardson, better known as The Big Bopper - perished in a plane crash near Clear Lake, Iowa. This essay explores the musical legacy and the influential tracks of these artists, their impact on the Rock 'n' Roll ..read more