Surdacki Originals
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Franklin, Tennessee, United States
About the store
2 years at Calabasas High School in Southern California (public).
1 year at Plateau Road Elementary School in Eldoret, Kenya, East Africa (private).
5 years at Rolling Hills Preparatory School in Southern California, last 3 years as Social Science Department Head (private).
2 years at Westmont High School in Northern California (public).
1 year at EDS Middle School in Northern California, Special Education Teacher for Mild to Moderate Learning Disabilities.
Supervised university student teachers in Nashville, TN.
15 years teaching in a Williamson County public high school in the Nashville, TN area.
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All Quiet on the Western Front Chapter Questions, Vocabulary, and Pacing Guide
All Quiet on the Western Front is, in my opinion, the best war novel ever. This is my best-selling product. This download includes: Chapter Questions for all 12 chapters*Vocabulary with definitions for unfamiliar words (including British slang and military terms)Pacing Guide and Pro Tips for teaching this novel*The chapter questions are specifically designed to outsmart the SparkNotes or Cliff Notes reader. Answer key is included. These materials were prepared by a World History teacher who use
8th - 12th, Adult Education, Higher Education
English Language Arts, Literature, World History
What is My Economic IQ? Introduction for High School Economics-AP Macro/Micro
"What is my Economic IQ?" is a tool for the first week of a high school Economics course. It is a series of questions introducing many of the main topics of an Economics course (description below of how it can be used). It is helpful for the first-time Economics teacher who wants a solid basis on which to begin--both a long version and a short version are included. The activity covers inflationunemploymentGDPinterest ratesstocks and bondsthe Federal Reserve national debt vs. budget deficit mic
9th - 12th
Economics
The Cold War In a Nutshell; Berlin Wall, Iron Curtain, Space Race, Brinksmanship
The Cold War in a Nutshell: From the creation of the USSR to Boris Yeltsin, this 5-page student packet clearly defines each facet of the rivalry between East and West. Topics included:Lenin and Stalinthe 15 Soviet Republicsdefinitions of communism and capitalism the nuclear arms raceChinathe Iron CurtainNATOthe Warsaw Pactthe Brezhnev Doctrinethe Berlin Wallthe Korean Warthe Vietnam Warthe Space Racethe Hungarian Revolutionthe Cuban Missile CrisisGorbachevPerestroika and Glasnostthe collapse o
9th - 12th
European History, U.S. History, World History
Supply & Demand: Market Equilibrium in a Nutshell Unit-Economics-AP Macro/Micro
This packet takes the tedium out of Supply and Demand and will save you SO much time and effort. This 9-page student packet (plus extra practice sheets) was developed over a decade of teaching standard and honors Econ. It acts as a workbook for explanations, examples, and practice. Written by a veteran teacher with Economics degree who teaches Econ at all levels including AP. Can be used as a unit or use pages/topics as you see fit. (I didn't number the pages so you can change the order if you
9th - 12th
Economics
Democracy and Law in Ancient Greece Worksheet: Government, World History
Democracy and Law in Ancient Greece is a worksheet that traces the development of popular sovereignty in Athens. An introduction to the Polis, and "rule of law," the laws of Draco, the reforms of Solon, the reforms of Cleisthenes, and Pericles are included. Photos of Greek lawgivers and a map of Greek city states are embedded in the worksheet. The answer key is included in a separate document.
9th - 12th
European History, World History
Rise of Fascism in the 1930s: Hitler, Mussolini, World History, World War II
The Rise of Fascism Worksheet is an extensive 5-page fill-in-the-blank history that details Mussolini's and Hitler's rise to power in the 1920s and 1930s. It includes fourteen markers of a fascist regime, Mussolini's rise to power in Italy, the March on Rome, his youth and adult fascist organizations, and his later friendship with Hitler. It also includes Hitler's early life, failed Beer Hall Putsch, writing Mein Kampf, rise to political power, Hindenburg's appointment of Hitler to Chancellor
10th - 11th
European History, U.S. History, World History
The Federal Reserve Banking Unit: Money-Monetary Policy-Bonds-Economics-AP Macro
The Federal Reserve and Monetary Policy is my FAVORITE unit to teach in Economics, and this product can be used "live" or as remote learning tool because there are three guided notes included (with keys) that track directly with the PowerPoints. I have taught this unit so many times I believe I have anticipated almost all questions students will have, and how to present in an understandable way that isn't dry. Topics included (3 1-hour class periods minimum, 5 average): Bonds (this can also b
9th - 12th
Economics , Government, Social Studies
Foreign Exchange Market Unit: Supply & Demand-Currency Exch-Economics-AP Macro
I love using the Foreign Exchange Market as " applied supply and demand" because students are very interested in international trade, foreign exchange rates, and travel in general. In the four-day plan, I include a hands-on activity with Kenyan Shillings (printable) and paper clips, which are easily accessible at school or home. This is a required AP Macroeconomics unit, but can be used in regular economics with or without the ForEx Market graphs (without graphs, it's a two-day plan). Unit I
9th - 12th, Higher Education
Economics
Bonds in a Nutshell; Personal Finance; Financial Sector Investments; Securities
I have taught students this 30-minute " Bonds 101" lesson so many times I believe I have anticipated nearly every question they have, and included it in this 20-slide PowerPoint and 1-page student guided notes with key. This can also be used for remote learning as an independent lesson since the guided notes follow the PowerPoint closely. Topics included: What is a bond? When you buy a bond, are you a borrower or a lender?Principal, maturity date, interest ratesWho can borrow money by issuing
9th - 12th
Business, Economics , Government
Supply & Demand: Supply in a Nutshell Unit-Economics-AP Macro/Micro
This resource packet will take the tedium out of teaching Supply and save you SO much time and effort. This 10-page student packet, was developed over a decade of teaching standard and honors Econ. It acts as a workbook for explanations, notes and practice and introduces all core concepts for supply. Written by a veteran teacher with Economics degree who teaches Econ at all levels, including AP. Can be used as a unit or use pages/topics as you see fit. Key and ideas for use included. Studen
9th - 12th
Economics
Enlightenment Thinkers (Age of Reason-Locke-Montesquieu-Rousseau) World History
This two-page summary begins with a list of 17th & 18th century scientific discoveries (Galileo, Newton, Lavoisier & Priestly, Jenner) that contributed to the prevailing idea that "through the use of reason we can solve every problem and create a perfect world!" The main theories of Enlightenment thinkers are then encapsulated into a few sentences each, using fill-in-the-blank format for students. Answer key is included. The activity summarizes the ideas of Hobbes, Locke, Voltaire, Montesquieu
9th - 12th
European History, World History
Aggregate Supply & Demand in a Nutshell: Complete Unit-AP Macro-Economics
This unit is crucial to macroeconomics and I've spent years putting together and perfecting these materials. It's EVERYTHING you'll need for students to learn, practice, and master Aggregate Supply and Demand, and the graphing models that illustrate it.Teaching time: bare minimum 10 traditional 50-minute class periods. Included:4 video lessons. Intro to the Aggregate Supply & Demand Model (14 minutes)Shifters of Aggregate Demand (8 minutes)The Multiplier Effect and AD: Spending and Tax Multipli
9th - 12th, Higher Education
Economics
Industrial Revolution in a Nutshell: 18th/19th century inventions-World History
I created this 1-page worksheet as a comprehensive overview to introduce the Industrial Revolution for my high school students. It addresses: the Enclosure Movement in England;inventions such as the Spinning Jenny and Cotton Gin which revolutionized the cotton cloth textile industry;the invention of the steam engine, and the development of railroads;reasons why this revolution began in England; and the development of labor unionsA "matching" section forces the student to analyze cause and effect
7th - 12th, Higher Education
European History, U.S. History, World History
Economics Stock Market Simulation: IPO Group Game, Personal Finance
This simulation is my high school seniors' FAVORITE activity of the year in Economics. In small groups, students form corporations (handout included), take them public in Initial Public Offerings (stock certificates included for copying), draw random market events from a basket (event lists included), buy and sell stock from each other using play money (printable included) in one-minute rounds (portfolio handout included), and track what happens to stock prices. This 31-page activity packet (8
6th - 12th, Adult Education, Higher Education
Business, Economics
Supply & Demand: Demand in a Nutshell Unit-Economics-AP Macro/Micro
This resource/activity packet will take the tedium out of teaching Supply and Demand and save you SO much time and effort. This 11-page student packet, developed over a decade of teaching Economics, acts as a workbook for explanations, notes, and practice and introduces all core concepts for demand. Written by a veteran teacher with Economics degree who teaches Econ at all levels including AP. Can be used as a unit or use pages/topics as you see fit (I didn't number the pages so you can change
9th - 12th
Economics
Taxes & Fiscal Policy Unit: Government/Economics Class or Independent Learning
I find that Government teachers say "Fiscal Policy will be covered in Economics class," and Economics teachers say "Fiscal Policy will be covered in Government class." This stand-alone unit solves the problem because students can do it on their own, or in class with you. It has taken me about five years to get this perfect! Complete package for remote or classroom learning. Unit Includes:Lesson Plans on how to pace and use everything in this unit66-slide PowerPoint on Fiscal Policy: Taxing
9th - 12th
Civics, Economics , Government
Apartheid in South Africa Graphic Summary Activity: World History
The Apartheid Cartoon/Graphic Short Story is a worksheet that requires analytical thinking, yet looks simple and students love it. It asks students to create their own list of events defining apartheid and describing how it was dismantled; this could include the early Dutch settlements, the Boer War, the discovery of gold and diamonds in South Africa, a personal story like Steve Biko's, or examples of Apartheid laws. I highly recommend William Bigelow's "Strangers in their Own Country," Africa
9th - 10th
World History
French Revolution and Napoleon Graphic Summary Activity: World History
The French Revolution Cartoon is a worksheet that requires analytical thinking, yet looks simple and students love it. It asks students to create their own list of events causing the French Revolution; this could be Enlightenment thinkers' publications, the discontent of the Third Estate due to disproportionate taxes, the excesses of Louis XIV and other Absolute Monarchs, the Tennis Court Oath, and the Storming of the Bastille. You can extend the activity to the Reign of Terror, the Directory
9th - 12th
European History, World History
World War I to World War II Graphic Summary Activity: 1930s, World or US History
The Years Between WWI and WWII summary activity is a worksheet that requires analytical thinking, yet looks simple and students love it. It asks students to create their own list of events connecting WWI with WWII II, which could include the Treaty of Versailles, British and French insistence on Kriegshuld (war guilt) payments from Germany, the German "stabbed in the back" myth, the weak Weimar Republic, the stock market crash, the Great Depression, the rise of fascism, Hitler's growing populari
9th - 12th
European History, U.S. History, World History
World War II Graphic Summary Activity:1930s, 1940s, World History, U.S. History
The World War II Graphic Short Story is a worksheet that requires analytical thinking, yet looks simple and students love it. It asks students to create their own list of events from (1) World War II in Europe, beginning with September 1, 1939, including D-Day, and ending with V-E Day; (2) World War II in the Pacific, beginning with Japan�s conquest of Manchuria and ending with V-J Day; and (3) World War II in North Africa, beginning with the reason the Axis and Allied powers were in conflict
9th - 12th
European History, U.S. History, World History
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About the store
Experience
2 years at Calabasas High School in Southern California (public).
1 year at Plateau Road Elementary School in Eldoret, Kenya, East Africa (private).
5 years at Rolling Hills Preparatory School in Southern California, last 3 years as Social Science Department Head (private).
2 years at Westmont High School in Northern California (public).
1 year at EDS Middle School in Northern California, Special Education Teacher for Mild to Moderate Learning Disabilities.
Supervised university student teachers in Nashville, TN.
15 years teaching in a Williamson County public high school in the Nashville, TN area.
Teaching style
My teaching style depends on the material being taught. I have students write a rap or country song on their favorite Enlightenment thinker with the 18th century; I use excerpts from Remarque's "All Quiet on the Western Front" with World War I (the BOOK, not the movie); testimonials from Steven Spielberg's "Shoah" project (interviews of Survivors) with the Holocaust; and I have students create a cartoon (sorry, "graphic short story") of the French Revolution so they can internalize the progression of events. While studying World War II, I ask students to interview their grandparents who often turn out to have had amazing experiences during those years. I make up my own scenarios and examples to illustrate all economic concepts, because I have found that other national best-selling resources just aren't efficient or interesting or funny enough.
Awards & shining teacher moments
My shining teaching moments are when a student says "I printed out this article about airstrikes in Gaza from CNN.com last night, it's just what we were talking about in class..." or "I watched something on World War I this weekend and I actually understood it!" (from a "D" student--she's learning something!). The excitement on their faces when they understand historical or economic references in everyday life is my best reward.
My own education history
B.A. in Economics, Pepperdine University, 1987.
California Professional Clear Single Subject Teaching Credential: Social Sciences, 1990.
M.A. in Education, Pepperdine University Graduate School of Education and Psychology, 1992.
Tennessee Professional Teaching Certificate 2009, current. Highly Qualified in Economics, Government, and History.
Additional biographical information
I have taught World History for 15 years and Economics for 15 years. If you are looking for materials on a particular topic, send me a message and I might be able to upload something for you; I have a large amount of material I have not yet uploaded.
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