From the Classroom
When History Comes for Your Colony: Our Students Face Drake's Attack
"Before dawn, English privateer Sir Francis Drake launches a surprise raid on the settlement. His ships fire from the sea while his men rush ashore. The Spanish scramble to respond. Smoke fills the air." Twenty-two fourth graders held their breath as I read the event card that would determine their colony's fate. After a week of hurricanes, policy changes, and tough decisions, this was their biggest test yet.
From Excited Beginnings to Survival Mode: Our First Week as Spanish Colonists
"Mrs. Zema, are we going to die?" This question came from Riley after five days of our Founding St. Augustine simulation. What started with excitement about "getting to be Spanish leaders" had transformed into genuine concern for their colony's survival. Here's how my fourth graders learned that good intentions aren't enough when facing real historical challenges.
Welcome to 1565 - Founding St. Augustine Begins
"Buenos días, Spanish leaders! Welcome to the year 1565." Twenty-two fourth graders looked around our classroom with curiosity as we began our journey into America's oldest city. Today marked the official start of our Founding St. Augustine simulation—and the mixed reactions were priceless.
Florida History Gets an Upgrade
Three years ago, I was drowning in Studies Weekly newspapers. You know the ones—those thin, social studies "newspapers" that somehow managed to make Florida's incredible history feel as exciting as reading a phone book. There had to be a better way, and I found it.