Less lame

I’d like to state for the record that I made it as an awakeish person all the way until 8pm last night. Doubtful I’ll do it tonight, though.

Loads of fun at Draper Middle School today. Many thanks to Mary, Marie, and Greg the Math teacher for making me feel right at home. After the visit I was able to squeeze in a cup of coffee with my friend Coleen Paratore and catch up with her. That was a blast. She introduced me to the nice people at Book House. Readers, friends, and an independent bookseller. If only BH was here, it would have been the perfect day.

My cold has retreated slightly, thanks to last night’s obscene amount of sleep and regular dosing with chicken soup.

I’ve been reading a lot about various battle strategies during the American Revolution. It didn’t matter how well anyone planned things out, seems to me. Once the bullets started flying, it always turned into a mess. But they kept trying.

A lot of you had to learn about the Revolution in school. What do you remember about it? Was it interesting or boring?

54 Replies to “Less lame”

  1. I, too, just learned about the American Revolution in AP US History. I thought it was really interesting; I find that period to be one of the most fascinating points in history. Learning about the way those men formed the government we still use today is inspiring really.

  2. I, too, just learned about the American Revolution in AP US History. I thought it was really interesting; I find that period to be one of the most fascinating points in history. Learning about the way those men formed the government we still use today is inspiring really.

  3. I, too, just learned about the American Revolution in AP US History. I thought it was really interesting; I find that period to be one of the most fascinating points in history. Learning about the way those men formed the government we still use today is inspiring really.

  4. amer. revolution in school

    I’m afraid I don’t remember much of it right off the bat, although I took reams of notes. We spent nearly 2 trimesters on it. It WAS interesting to learn about how different people felt about it at the time. Very different from now. We also read Johnny Tremain as the literature complement, and that was very insightful to life in those years.

  5. amer. revolution in school

    I’m afraid I don’t remember much of it right off the bat, although I took reams of notes. We spent nearly 2 trimesters on it. It WAS interesting to learn about how different people felt about it at the time. Very different from now. We also read Johnny Tremain as the literature complement, and that was very insightful to life in those years.

  6. amer. revolution in school

    I’m afraid I don’t remember much of it right off the bat, although I took reams of notes. We spent nearly 2 trimesters on it. It WAS interesting to learn about how different people felt about it at the time. Very different from now. We also read Johnny Tremain as the literature complement, and that was very insightful to life in those years.

  7. American Revolution

    I love history and I had a History teacher who was a war buff and he covered all of the major wars in our class. He had a passion for the subject and it showed.

    On a different note, I start my Speak lesson on Thursday with my students and I am so excited. I am sharing your web site with them and telling them about the journal, so you may have students sending you journal responses about their crazy student teacher.

    Hope you get to feeling better.

  8. American Revolution

    I love history and I had a History teacher who was a war buff and he covered all of the major wars in our class. He had a passion for the subject and it showed.

    On a different note, I start my Speak lesson on Thursday with my students and I am so excited. I am sharing your web site with them and telling them about the journal, so you may have students sending you journal responses about their crazy student teacher.

    Hope you get to feeling better.

  9. American Revolution

    I love history and I had a History teacher who was a war buff and he covered all of the major wars in our class. He had a passion for the subject and it showed.

    On a different note, I start my Speak lesson on Thursday with my students and I am so excited. I am sharing your web site with them and telling them about the journal, so you may have students sending you journal responses about their crazy student teacher.

    Hope you get to feeling better.

  10. Hi, my name is Rosa I just wanted to tell you that I just read your book Speak and I read it in just one day. It was awesome!

  11. Hi, my name is Rosa I just wanted to tell you that I just read your book Speak and I read it in just one day. It was awesome!

  12. Hi, my name is Rosa I just wanted to tell you that I just read your book Speak and I read it in just one day. It was awesome!

  13. I remember thinking that it was boring. Then again, my teacher was somewhat boring and I didn’t like my classmates in that period. I think if I had a great teacher who showed it in a different way I would have liked it more.

    I’m in AP European History now and I find that to be amazingly interesting. I had no clue about most of the stuff!

  14. I remember thinking that it was boring. Then again, my teacher was somewhat boring and I didn’t like my classmates in that period. I think if I had a great teacher who showed it in a different way I would have liked it more.

    I’m in AP European History now and I find that to be amazingly interesting. I had no clue about most of the stuff!

  15. I remember thinking that it was boring. Then again, my teacher was somewhat boring and I didn’t like my classmates in that period. I think if I had a great teacher who showed it in a different way I would have liked it more.

    I’m in AP European History now and I find that to be amazingly interesting. I had no clue about most of the stuff!

  16. It was ok. A lot of it depeneded on the teacher. I liked the historical war fiction we read, Johnny Tremain, My Brother Sam is Dead, Across Five Aprils, Shades of Gray, although reading My Brother Sam is Dead is pretty traumatizing for a 9yo. Johnny Tremain definitely rocked my socks off. I was a weird little girl. Speaking of war literature, how much ass does Wilfred Owen kick?

    ~Kate

  17. It was ok. A lot of it depeneded on the teacher. I liked the historical war fiction we read, Johnny Tremain, My Brother Sam is Dead, Across Five Aprils, Shades of Gray, although reading My Brother Sam is Dead is pretty traumatizing for a 9yo. Johnny Tremain definitely rocked my socks off. I was a weird little girl. Speaking of war literature, how much ass does Wilfred Owen kick?

    ~Kate

  18. It was ok. A lot of it depeneded on the teacher. I liked the historical war fiction we read, Johnny Tremain, My Brother Sam is Dead, Across Five Aprils, Shades of Gray, although reading My Brother Sam is Dead is pretty traumatizing for a 9yo. Johnny Tremain definitely rocked my socks off. I was a weird little girl. Speaking of war literature, how much ass does Wilfred Owen kick?

    ~Kate

  19. I loved learning about the Revolution. My teacher was really interested in the battles and tactics and such (being a Vietnam vet), and his passion for the subject really showed through.

    I remember him telling us about the battles at Lexington and Concord, and explaining how the ‘rebels’ got the better of the Brits by sneaking around. I also remember something about a family who had a battle (Bull Run) near their house and then moved (I believe) to avoid further battles…only to have the second battle of Bull Run end on their doorstep. Definitely thought the American Revolution was interesting ^_^

  20. I loved learning about the Revolution. My teacher was really interested in the battles and tactics and such (being a Vietnam vet), and his passion for the subject really showed through.

    I remember him telling us about the battles at Lexington and Concord, and explaining how the ‘rebels’ got the better of the Brits by sneaking around. I also remember something about a family who had a battle (Bull Run) near their house and then moved (I believe) to avoid further battles…only to have the second battle of Bull Run end on their doorstep. Definitely thought the American Revolution was interesting ^_^

  21. I loved learning about the Revolution. My teacher was really interested in the battles and tactics and such (being a Vietnam vet), and his passion for the subject really showed through.

    I remember him telling us about the battles at Lexington and Concord, and explaining how the ‘rebels’ got the better of the Brits by sneaking around. I also remember something about a family who had a battle (Bull Run) near their house and then moved (I believe) to avoid further battles…only to have the second battle of Bull Run end on their doorstep. Definitely thought the American Revolution was interesting ^_^

  22. Re: American Revolution

    That sounds exciting. Are you student teaching for Secondary English? Our student teacher did Speak in my 10th grade English class. I’m a senior now, but I want to teach Secondary English. That would be the most amazing job! What do you think about it? Do you like it?

    Billie

  23. Re: American Revolution

    That sounds exciting. Are you student teaching for Secondary English? Our student teacher did Speak in my 10th grade English class. I’m a senior now, but I want to teach Secondary English. That would be the most amazing job! What do you think about it? Do you like it?

    Billie

  24. Re: American Revolution

    That sounds exciting. Are you student teaching for Secondary English? Our student teacher did Speak in my 10th grade English class. I’m a senior now, but I want to teach Secondary English. That would be the most amazing job! What do you think about it? Do you like it?

    Billie

  25. I liked the American Revolution, but was bored with almost everything else in American history. I most remember the Battle of Bunker Hill – probably because i wrote a short story about it in high school. I was also highly amused by the Boston Tea Party. I like silly history. When i was teaching a class on church history, i spent a lot of time talking about the ridiculous things the popes did (like trying their dead predecessors for heresy). But that’s another topic entirely.

  26. I liked the American Revolution, but was bored with almost everything else in American history. I most remember the Battle of Bunker Hill – probably because i wrote a short story about it in high school. I was also highly amused by the Boston Tea Party. I like silly history. When i was teaching a class on church history, i spent a lot of time talking about the ridiculous things the popes did (like trying their dead predecessors for heresy). But that’s another topic entirely.

  27. I liked the American Revolution, but was bored with almost everything else in American history. I most remember the Battle of Bunker Hill – probably because i wrote a short story about it in high school. I was also highly amused by the Boston Tea Party. I like silly history. When i was teaching a class on church history, i spent a lot of time talking about the ridiculous things the popes did (like trying their dead predecessors for heresy). But that’s another topic entirely.

  28. Re: American Revolution

    Yes I am student teaching and my major is Secondary English.
    I love teaching, I have always wanted to be a teacher.
    I had some of the best high school teachers ever and I hope to
    be able to touch students they way that Mrs. Pletch, Mr. Sheperd,
    and Mrs. Milholland did for me.
    It is a great career to have, plus there is such great adolescent literature being produced that it makes the job even better; first of all because I love to read and second because the books are dealing with issues that students can find themselves in the story and that is amazing to see a student find his/her self and connect with the book in a personal way.

    Good luck on pursuing Secondary English, at the risk of sounding corny: go make a difference.

  29. Re: American Revolution

    Yes I am student teaching and my major is Secondary English.
    I love teaching, I have always wanted to be a teacher.
    I had some of the best high school teachers ever and I hope to
    be able to touch students they way that Mrs. Pletch, Mr. Sheperd,
    and Mrs. Milholland did for me.
    It is a great career to have, plus there is such great adolescent literature being produced that it makes the job even better; first of all because I love to read and second because the books are dealing with issues that students can find themselves in the story and that is amazing to see a student find his/her self and connect with the book in a personal way.

    Good luck on pursuing Secondary English, at the risk of sounding corny: go make a difference.

  30. Re: American Revolution

    Yes I am student teaching and my major is Secondary English.
    I love teaching, I have always wanted to be a teacher.
    I had some of the best high school teachers ever and I hope to
    be able to touch students they way that Mrs. Pletch, Mr. Sheperd,
    and Mrs. Milholland did for me.
    It is a great career to have, plus there is such great adolescent literature being produced that it makes the job even better; first of all because I love to read and second because the books are dealing with issues that students can find themselves in the story and that is amazing to see a student find his/her self and connect with the book in a personal way.

    Good luck on pursuing Secondary English, at the risk of sounding corny: go make a difference.

  31. i, as a history major, HATE HATE HATE the american revolution. i am currently taking “U.S. History until 1877” and let me tell you… this class has seriously made me reconsider my major. ughhhhhh. we just finished up the revolution and have moved on to the war of 1812 and the civil war which are both tons more interesting. though, i did pull off a B+ on my revolutionary test 🙂

  32. i, as a history major, HATE HATE HATE the american revolution. i am currently taking “U.S. History until 1877” and let me tell you… this class has seriously made me reconsider my major. ughhhhhh. we just finished up the revolution and have moved on to the war of 1812 and the civil war which are both tons more interesting. though, i did pull off a B+ on my revolutionary test 🙂

  33. i, as a history major, HATE HATE HATE the american revolution. i am currently taking “U.S. History until 1877” and let me tell you… this class has seriously made me reconsider my major. ughhhhhh. we just finished up the revolution and have moved on to the war of 1812 and the civil war which are both tons more interesting. though, i did pull off a B+ on my revolutionary test 🙂

  34. american revolution

    in my ap us history class we finished it up like a week ago. it was pretty interesting because i liked learning about the 3 phases (new england, mid-atlantic, and south) and the battles and everything. you’re right about the bullets flying and all that. that’s like in sports. no matter how you plan your strategy it’s a mess. i’m glad you’re feeling better:-)! -ash 🙂

  35. american revolution

    in my ap us history class we finished it up like a week ago. it was pretty interesting because i liked learning about the 3 phases (new england, mid-atlantic, and south) and the battles and everything. you’re right about the bullets flying and all that. that’s like in sports. no matter how you plan your strategy it’s a mess. i’m glad you’re feeling better:-)! -ash 🙂

  36. american revolution

    in my ap us history class we finished it up like a week ago. it was pretty interesting because i liked learning about the 3 phases (new england, mid-atlantic, and south) and the battles and everything. you’re right about the bullets flying and all that. that’s like in sports. no matter how you plan your strategy it’s a mess. i’m glad you’re feeling better:-)! -ash 🙂

  37. exhaustion!

    Hi,
    I am a 7th grade reading teacher and a writer from NE Pa. Just reading your blog makes me tired and I wonder where do you get the energy to write, visit schools, keep up with a blog and carry on with your home “duties”? Just wondering. Your books are wonderful, I recommend to my higher readers. They love them. How did you get on this Revolutionary War thing? I used to teach Johnny Tremain. I loved the book, the vocabulary was a killer though… just too much and took away from the story. I still teach it to my high class. Thanks for all you do for young readers.
    Sue Reichard
    Troy Middle School
    Troy, Pa. 16914

  38. exhaustion!

    Hi,
    I am a 7th grade reading teacher and a writer from NE Pa. Just reading your blog makes me tired and I wonder where do you get the energy to write, visit schools, keep up with a blog and carry on with your home “duties”? Just wondering. Your books are wonderful, I recommend to my higher readers. They love them. How did you get on this Revolutionary War thing? I used to teach Johnny Tremain. I loved the book, the vocabulary was a killer though… just too much and took away from the story. I still teach it to my high class. Thanks for all you do for young readers.
    Sue Reichard
    Troy Middle School
    Troy, Pa. 16914

  39. exhaustion!

    Hi,
    I am a 7th grade reading teacher and a writer from NE Pa. Just reading your blog makes me tired and I wonder where do you get the energy to write, visit schools, keep up with a blog and carry on with your home “duties”? Just wondering. Your books are wonderful, I recommend to my higher readers. They love them. How did you get on this Revolutionary War thing? I used to teach Johnny Tremain. I loved the book, the vocabulary was a killer though… just too much and took away from the story. I still teach it to my high class. Thanks for all you do for young readers.
    Sue Reichard
    Troy Middle School
    Troy, Pa. 16914

  40. Re: exhaustion!

    My home duties are greatly reduced now because I married the world’s best man. Three of our four kids are in college and the fourth we only have with us part-time (sniff!). But, yeah, I have to admit, I’m a little tired right now. I have a conference to go to late next week. After that, I have a couple of months of just writing…. very much looking forward to it!

  41. Re: exhaustion!

    My home duties are greatly reduced now because I married the world’s best man. Three of our four kids are in college and the fourth we only have with us part-time (sniff!). But, yeah, I have to admit, I’m a little tired right now. I have a conference to go to late next week. After that, I have a couple of months of just writing…. very much looking forward to it!

  42. Re: exhaustion!

    My home duties are greatly reduced now because I married the world’s best man. Three of our four kids are in college and the fourth we only have with us part-time (sniff!). But, yeah, I have to admit, I’m a little tired right now. I have a conference to go to late next week. After that, I have a couple of months of just writing…. very much looking forward to it!

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