About the store
Hi, I’ve been teaching 8th grade U.S. History for 20 years, and I’m passionate about making history come alive for middle school students. My classroom is built around the idea that learning should be interactive, creative, and fun — because when students are engaged, they remember the lessons for life.
I specialize in designing resources that go beyond the textbook: escape rooms, mystery pixel reveal activities, trivia challenges, and other gamified experiences that keep students thinking critically while having a blast. Whether it’s unlocking clues in Revolutionary War escape rooms or piecing together history through hands-on challenges, my students never just sit and listen — they play, solve, and create their way through history.
On Teachers Pay Teachers, I share those same classroom-tested resources so other teachers can bring the excitement to their students too. My goal is simple: to help teachers save time while giving students memorable experiences that prove history is anything but boring.
Email me at Makehistoryfun@me.com with any questions!
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Best Value Review Games Bundle PowerPoint
Do you want some variety with your Review Games? This is the file for you. Included are files based off of popular games. I have used all of these in my classroom and if you have any questions about the games email me at makehistoryfun@me.com
These PowerPoint files contain templates of all the Review games that I use in my classroom.
Who Wants to be a Millionaire Man?
Jeopardy
Password
Wheel of Fortune
Are you Smarter than a 5th Grader?
Trashketball
Friendly Feud 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 Answer Board
PreK - 12th, Adult Education, Higher Education
For All Subjects
Trashketball Review Game PowerPoint Smartboard Jeopardy Style
*Smartboard compatible*
This is a fun review game for your students. It is set up in the Jeopardy format with 5 categories that spell T-R-A-S-H with point totals from 1-5. Along with this game I put a trash can (bring your own since you will be pulling the paper out) in the front of my room and wad up a piece of paper. I mark 3 lines on the floor with tape that the students can shoot from if they answer the questions correctly. I have added sounds within the PowerPoint that play when the student
PreK - 12th, Adult Education, Higher Education
For All Subjects
90 Blank Graphic Organizers and/or Comic Strip Templates
Here is a group of 90 blank Graphic Organizers and/or comic strip templates. These can be used in a number of different classes for students to create stories or take notes in a more visual way. I use them in my class to have students re-tell historical events while incorporating the art standards in my state. You could use them for timelines, character sketches, book report summaries. The math teacher in my school had her students explain how to work out a specific type of math problem through
PreK - 12th
Art, For All Subjects
United States President GIFs
Are you looking for a way to liven up your History Classroom? These animated Gifs of the President of the United States can turn stagnant pictures in engaging images. I have started using them in my presentations and documents and the students love them!
This is a file of Animated Gifs of all of the Presidents of the United States of America.
George Washington, 1789-1797
John Adams, 1797-1801
Thomas Jefferson, 1801-1809
James Madison, 1809-1817
James Monroe, 1817-1825
John Quincy Adams, 1825-1
PreK - 12th
Government, Social Studies, U.S. History
Individual and Unit Lesson Plan Template
I struggle with organization. From year to year I am constantly forgetting what I did the year before, what materials I needed for a particular lesson, and what assessments I used.
This template has helped me to stay organized. After I fill in the template with the materials I need I print them out and create a folder and put the lesson plans and every supplemental item that I need for the individual lesson or unit.
Just use the parts that you like. If you don't do units, just do individual l
PreK - 12th
For All Subjects
Henry Ford “Whether you think you can or think you can’t, you’re right!” Poster
This file comes with a color and black and white docymeny that can be printed individually for students or blown up to poster size for your classroom! See My Other Posters Here Alexander Hamilton Poster “Sleep is for People who are Broke.Boston Tea Party Poster Samuel Adams Sons of Liberty Nothing to Tea HereUlysses S. Grant Poster “Ulysses to me unless permission S. GRANT-ed PosterGeorge Washington and John Adams ‘98 The People’s Champs
PreK - 12th
For All Subjects, U.S. History
Rosa Parks Fearless Quote Poster
Rosa Parks Fearless Poster “Knowing what must be done does away with fear.” Fear is something that all of us deal with. Who better to speak about overcoming fear than Rosa Parks? She knew the decision she was making was going to get her arrested, but she had bigger things in mind than her own well being. This is one of my favorite quotes from Rosa Parks and is a great discussion starter about overcoming fear and doing what is right even when it’s diificult. See My Other Posters Here Alexander
PreK - 12th
For All Subjects, U.S. History
Also included in: U.S. History 12 Poster Bundle Set
"I Like You a Booker T. WashingTON!" Historical Valentine
Booker T. Washington "I Like You a Booker T. WashingTON!" Valentine Card These fun Historical Valentine's Day Cards are fun for your social studies or history class. Included in the file are color and blank versions. The blank versions allow them to color to their liking and then give the card to someone else. I also make the students do a little research and explain what the card means, since we don't cover all of the historical figures on these cards. I also encourage my students to write thin
PreK - 12th, Adult Education, Higher Education, Not Specific
Creative Writing, English Language Arts, Social Studies
Bessie Coleman "You Are Plane Awesome!" Historical Valentine
You Are Plane Awesome -Bessie Coleman Valentine Card These fun Historical Valentine's Day Cards are fun for your social studies or history class. Included in the file are color and blank versions. The blank versions allow them to color to their liking and then give the card to someone else. I also make the students do a little research and explain what the card means, since we don't cover all of the historical figures on these cards. I also encourage my students to write things on the back of th
PreK - 12th
Creative Writing, English Language Arts, Social Studies
Trashketball Review Game Keynote (Mac Version of PowerPoint)
*Smartboard compatible*
This is a fun review game for your students. It is set up in the Jeopardy format with 5 categories that spell T-R-A-S-H with point totals from 1-5. Along with this game I put a trash can (bring your own since you will be pulling the paper out) in the front of my room and wad up a piece of paper. I mark 3 lines on the floor with tape that the students can shoot from if they answer the questions correctly. I have added sounds within the Keynote that play when the students m
PreK - 12th, Adult Education, Higher Education
For All Subjects
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About the store
Experience
Hi, I’ve been teaching 8th grade U.S. History for 20 years, and I’m passionate about making history come alive for middle school students. My classroom is built around the idea that learning should be interactive, creative, and fun — because when students are engaged, they remember the lessons for life.
I specialize in designing resources that go beyond the textbook: escape rooms, mystery pixel reveal activities, trivia challenges, and other gamified experiences that keep students thinking critically while having a blast. Whether it’s unlocking clues in Revolutionary War escape rooms or piecing together history through hands-on challenges, my students never just sit and listen — they play, solve, and create their way through history.
On Teachers Pay Teachers, I share those same classroom-tested resources so other teachers can bring the excitement to their students too. My goal is simple: to help teachers save time while giving students memorable experiences that prove history is anything but boring.
Email me at Makehistoryfun@me.com with any questions!
Teaching style
My teaching style is built on the belief that students learn best when they’re actively involved in the lesson. I use games, puzzles, and hands-on challenges to turn history into an experience rather than a lecture. Instead of memorizing facts, students work together to solve problems, uncover clues, and connect big ideas — building both knowledge and critical thinking skills along the way.
I aim to create a classroom where students are curious, engaged, and confident that history can be exciting. Every resource I design reflects that same philosophy: interactive, student-centered, and easy for teachers to implement.
Awards & shining teacher moments
National Board Certified Teacher in Adolescent and Young Adult Social Studies History
2x Teacher of the Year
District Teacher of the Year
Constituting America "We the Future Winner" Lesson Plan Winner
My own education history
Bachelors Social Studies Education
Master's Degree in Curriculum and Instruction
National Board Certified Teacher in Adolescent and Young Adult Social Studies History
Additional biographical information
Hooray History
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