My new goal

Hello students/parents! I have finished my 'Blogging Instructionally' course for BPS, and I couldn't be more excited about using this tool in my own classroom. My goal is to get a class blog up and running for the beginning of 2nd semester. I have now seen the many advantages to using a class blog, and I know it could have a very positive impact on my students and my classroom in general. I love the features that blogger uses, and these would allow me to really keep the lines of communication open with my students and families both within the classroom and outside of school. Looking forward to creating a fantastic blog for all of us to enjoy!

World Population Growth

I love this video to explain world population growth. Great for classroom use!

Me in 10 pictures!

No, that is not me on the TV...but I'm addicted to trashy
reality shows. Yep.....

Finding the fun in everything!

My amazing sister, Amy.

Phoenix-My 2nd home

I love shoes....and sparkles.

Varsity Cheerleading Coach

The only tool I use to cook dinner.

The ol' ball and chain....aka our new house.

Our child, Phantom.

My wonderful husband, Nate.

Classroom Expectations

Students in American History....the following are my classroom expectations!
1. Respect your peers, teacher, and school property.
2. Follow directions the first time given.
3. Watch 30 minutes of current events per week.
4. Score Proficient (above 70%) on each E.O.
5. Have FUN learning!

I'm so excited to have you all in class!

My first blog!

Hello, Internet world! I'm Mrs. Geiken, and this is my very first blog. I'm currently in my 2nd year as an American History teacher at Bellevue West High School in Bellevue, NE. I also am a Varsity cheerleading coach (Go T-birds!). I received my undergrad degree from UNL in Secondary Education-Social Sciences. After I graduated, I was accepted to join the Teach for America corps (2008) in Phoenix, Arizona. I spent two years teaching middle school social studies in inner-city Phoenix, an experience that continues to affect my life daily in so many positive ways. While in Phoenix, I worked to earn my M.Ed in Secondary Education. I'm currently married, living in Gretna, and starting to work on my second Masters Degree in History. My husband is also a history teacher (at Lincoln NE high school)...yep, we are both nerds! We just had a dinner conversation about torture methods during the Spanish-American War. We have no children (yet), but we have a very stuck-up cat named Phantom (but her nickname, Kitty, is a little less obvious). I'm loving all parts of my life!

I LOVE technology. I'm obsessed with PowerPoint, and I use it almost daily in my classroom. I find it to be such a powerful teaching tool, and it allows me to paint a clear picture of historical events for my students. I also have been exploring the world of Twitter (and now, blogging!), and reflecting on how I can use these in my classroom. I am fluent in Mac and PC, but I am in love with my sisters' MacBook Pro (yep...not mine. I wish!). I'm hoping to get an iPhone at some point in the (hopefully!) near future, which I'm sure will be just as fabulous as I have built it up in my head. Looking forward to more blogging time in the future!

So long, for now.....