Brainy Bear
257 Followers
Arizona, United States
About the store
With 16 years of experience teaching both English Language Arts and History across multiple grade levels, I bring a deep understanding of how students grow as readers, writers, and critical thinkers.
My classroom experience has shaped every resource I create. I know firsthand what it takes to balance rigor with engagement, structure with flexibility, and high expectations with meaningful support. Teaching across subjects and grade levels has given me a strong perspective on skill progression — how students develop analytical thinking, writing stamina, and confidence over time.
Each lesson is designed to be practical, classroom-tested, and purposeful. The goal is not just to assign work, but to foster thoughtful discussion, deeper comprehension, and lasting understanding.
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Videos with Quizzes & Activities BIG Bundle | World History
Bring your World History class to life with these engaging video-based lessons featuring critical thinking questions, interactive activities, and assessment quizzes! ✨ Flexible and easy to use — use these activities together as full lessons, or select the ones that best fit your classroom needs. Also great as emergency sub plans, independent practice, and homework! What’s Included: 28 Visually Engaging Videos covering World History (Ancient Civilizations, Medieval to Early Modern Times, Modern W
6th - 9th
Ancient History, Middle Ages, World History
CCSS
RH.6-8.1
, RH.6-8.2
, RH.6-8.3
+3
Videos with Activities Bundle | Medieval to Early Modern Times (World History)
Bring your World History | Medieval to Early Modern Times class to life with these engaging video-based lessons featuring critical thinking questions, interactive activities, and assessment quizzes! ✨ Flexible and easy to use — use these activities together as full lessons, or select the ones that best fit your classroom needs. Also great as emergency sub plans, independent practice, and homework! What’s Included: 10 Visually Engaging Videos covering Medieval to Early Modern TimesCritical Thinki
6th - 9th
Middle Ages, Other (Social Studies), World History
CCSS
RH.6-8.1
, RH.6-8.2
, RH.6-8.3
+3
The Age of Exploration | Video Lesson with Quiz & Activities
Bring your Age of Exploration unit to life with this engaging video-based lesson featuring critical thinking questions, interactive activities, and an assessment quiz designed to deepen students’ understanding of European exploration, trade routes, navigation tools, Portugal, Spain, Columbus, the Columbian Exchange, colonization, Indigenous peoples, conquest, and the transatlantic slave trade. 🎥 This resource pairs with the video: The Age of Exploration: History in Minutes | Columbus, Columbia
6th - 9th
Middle Ages, U.S. History, World History
CCSS
RH.6-8.1
, RH.6-8.2
, RH.6-8.3
+3
The Reformation | Video Lesson with Quiz & Activities
Bring your Reformation unit to life with this engaging video-based lesson featuring critical thinking questions, interactive activities, and an assessment quiz designed to deepen students’ understanding of the Catholic Church, Church corruption, indulgences, Martin Luther, the Ninety-Five Theses, the Diet of Worms, John Calvin, Henry VIII, the Church of England, the Catholic Reformation, the printing press, literacy, and religious division in Europe. 🎥 This resource pairs with the video: The
6th - 9th
European History, Middle Ages, World History
CCSS
RH.6-8.1
, RH.6-8.2
, RH.6-8.3
+3
The Renaissance | Video Lesson with Quiz & Activities
Bring your Renaissance unit to life with this engaging video-based lesson featuring critical thinking questions, interactive activities, and an assessment quiz designed to deepen students’ understanding of the Renaissance, humanism, Italy, Florence, the Medici family, patrons, realistic art, perspective, Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Raphael, Shakespeare, architecture, the printing press, and the lasting legacy of the Renaissance. 🎥 This resource pairs with the video: The Renaissance: Histo
6th - 9th
European History, Middle Ages, World History
CCSS
RH.6-8.1
, RH.6-8.2
, RH.6-8.3
+3
Civilizations of the Americas | Video Lesson with Quiz & Activities
Bring your Civilizations of the Americas unit to life with this engaging video-based lesson featuring critical thinking questions, interactive activities, and an assessment quiz designed to deepen students’ understanding of the Olmec, Maya, Teotihuacan, Aztec Empire, Tenochtitlan, chinampas, Inca Empire, Cuzco, terraces, quipu, Ancestral Pueblo, Mississippian culture, Cahokia, and the lasting legacy of Indigenous peoples and cultures. 🎥 This resource pairs with the video: Civilizations of the
6th - 9th
Middle Ages, U.S. History, World History
CCSS
RH.6-8.1
, RH.6-8.2
, RH.6-8.3
+3
Medieval Europe & Feudalism | Video Lesson with Quiz & Activities
Bring your Medieval Europe and Feudalism unit to life with this engaging video-based lesson featuring critical thinking questions, interactive activities, and an assessment quiz designed to deepen students’ understanding of the Middle Ages, feudalism, kings, nobles, vassals, knights, chivalry, castles, manors, peasants, serfs, the Catholic Church, trade, the Black Death, and the decline of feudalism. 🎥 This resource pairs with the video: Medieval Europe & Feudalism: History in Minutes ('click'
6th - 9th
European History, Middle Ages, World History
CCSS
RH.6-8.1
, RH.6-8.2
, RH.6-8.3
+3
Medieval Japan | Video Lesson with Quiz & Activities
Bring your Medieval Japan unit to life with this engaging video-based lesson featuring critical thinking questions, interactive activities, and an assessment quiz designed to deepen students’ understanding of samurai, shoguns, Bushido, feudalism, Zen Buddhism, Mongol invasions, the Sengoku period, and the lasting impact of Medieval Japanese civilization. 🎥 This resource pairs with the video: Medieval Japan: History in Minutes ('click' here for video)✨ Flexible and easy to use — use these activ
6th - 9th
Ancient History, Middle Ages, World History
CCSS
RH.6-8.1
, RH.6-8.2
, RH.6-8.3
+3
Medieval China | Video Lesson with Quiz & Activities
Bring your Medieval China unit to life with this engaging video-based lesson featuring critical thinking questions, interactive activities, and an assessment quiz designed to deepen students’ understanding of Chinese dynasties, the Grand Canal, Chang’an, the Silk Road, Buddhism, Confucianism, civil service exams, major inventions, porcelain, Mongol rule, Zheng He’s voyages, and the lasting impact of Medieval China. 🎥 This resource pairs with the video: Medieval China: History in Minutes ('clic
6th - 9th
Ancient History, Middle Ages, World History
CCSS
RH.6-8.1
, RH.6-8.2
, RH.6-8.3
+3
Medieval Africa | Video Lesson with Quiz & Activities
Bring your Medieval Africa unit to life with this engaging video-based lesson featuring critical thinking questions, interactive activities, and an assessment quiz designed to deepen students’ understanding of West African empires, Ghana, Mali, Songhai, the Niger River, gold-salt trade, Saharan caravans, Mansa Musa, Timbuktu, the Swahili Coast, Great Zimbabwe, Ethiopia, and Africa’s connections to the wider world. 🎥 This resource pairs with the video: Medieval Africa: History in Minutes ('clic
6th - 9th
Ancient History, Middle Ages, World History
CCSS
RH.6-8.1
, RH.6-8.2
, RH.6-8.3
+3
Islamic Civilization | Video Lesson with Quiz & Activities
Bring your Islamic Civilization unit to life with this engaging video-based lesson featuring critical thinking questions, interactive activities, and an assessment quiz designed to deepen students’ understanding of Islam’s beginnings, Muhammad, the Qur’an, caliphs, the Umayyads, the Abbasids, Baghdad, the House of Wisdom, the Islamic Golden Age, trade, mosques, madrasas, medicine, mathematics, astronomy, and the lasting impact of Medieval Islamic Civilization. 🎥 This resource pairs with the vid
6th - 9th
Ancient History, Middle Ages, World History
CCSS
RH.6-8.1
, RH.6-8.2
, RH.6-8.3
+3
Fall of Rome | Video Lesson with Quiz & Activities
Bring your Fall of Rome and Byzantine Empire unit to life with this engaging video-based lesson featuring critical thinking questions, interactive activities, and an assessment quiz designed to deepen students’ understanding of Rome’s decline, the fall of the Western Roman Empire, Constantinople, Justinian, Theodora, the Justinian Code, the Hagia Sophia, the Great Schism, and the lasting impact of Byzantine civilization. 🎥 This resource pairs with the video: Fall of Rome & Byzantine Empire: Hi
6th - 9th
Ancient History, Middle Ages, World History
CCSS
RH.6-8.1
, RH.6-8.2
, RH.6-8.3
+3
Videos with Quizzes & Activities Bundle | Modern World History
Bring your Modern World History class to life with these engaging video-based lessons featuring critical thinking questions, interactive activities, and assessment quizzes! ✨ Flexible and easy to use — use these activities together as full lessons, or select the ones that best fit your classroom needs. Also great as emergency sub plans, independent practice, and homework! What’s Included: 10 Visually Engaging Videos covering Modern World HistoryCritical Thinking Short Answer Questions for Each V
6th - 9th
Other (Social Studies), U.S. History, World History
CCSS
RH.6-8.1
, RH.6-8.2
, RH.6-8.3
+3
Also included in: Modern World History - Ultimate Curriculum Bundle (Grades 6-9)
Videos with Quizzes & Activities Bundle | Ancient Civilizations (World History)
Bring your World History | Ancient Civilizations class to life with these engaging video-based lessons featuring critical thinking questions, interactive activities, and assessment quizzes! ✨ Flexible and easy to use — use these activities together as full lessons, or select the ones that best fit your classroom needs. Also great as emergency sub plans, independent practice, and homework! What’s Included: 8 Visually Engaging Videos covering Ancient CivilizationsCritical Thinking Short Answer Qu
6th - 9th
Other (Social Studies), U.S. History, World History
CCSS
RH.6-8.1
, RH.6-8.2
, RH.6-8.3
+3
Early Humans & the Rise of Civilization | Video Lesson with Quiz & Activities
Bring your Early Humans and Rise of Civilization unit to life with this engaging video-based lesson featuring critical thinking questions, interactive activities, and an assessment quiz designed to deepen students’ understanding of prehistory, archaeology, the Paleolithic Era, hunter-gatherers, fire, tools, migration, the Neolithic Revolution, farming, villages, specialization, and the rise of early civilizations. 🎥 This resource pairs with the 7-minute video: Early Humans & the Rise of Civili
6th - 9th
Other (Social Studies), U.S. History, World History
CCSS
RH.6-8.1
, RH.6-8.2
, RH.6-8.3
+5
World History “Would You Rather?!” BIG Bundle of Bellringers
224 World History “Would You Rather?!” BellringersBring energy, discussion, and critical thinking into your World History classroom with this set of 224 fun and engaging “Would You Rather?!” bellringers for World History! These prompts are designed to get students thinking, debating, writing, and making connections in a NO-Prep, student-friendly format. Each prompt presents students with a choice related to history, culture, leadership, daily life, geography, inventions, beliefs, or challenges.
6th - 9th
Other (Social Studies), U.S. History, World History
CCSS
RH.6-8.2
, RH.6-8.3
, RH.6-8.7
+2
Bellringers | Modern World History “Would You Rather?!”
80 Modern World History “Would You Rather?!” Bellringers Bring energy, discussion, and critical thinking into your Modern World History unit with this set of 80 fun and engaging “Would You Rather?!” bellringers for world history! These prompts are designed to get students thinking, debating, writing, and making connections to Modern World History in a low-prep, student-friendly format. Each prompt presents students with a choice related to ancient history, culture, leadership, daily life, geogra
6th - 9th
Other (Social Studies), U.S. History, World History
CCSS
RH.6-8.2
, RH.6-8.3
, RH.6-8.7
+2
Also included in: Modern World History - Ultimate Curriculum Bundle (Grades 6-9)
Bellringers | World History - Medieval to Early Modern Times
80 World History “Would You Rather?!” Bellringers | Medieval to Early Modern TimesBring energy, discussion, and critical thinking into your Medieval to Early Modern Times unit with this set of 80 fun and engaging “Would You Rather?!” bellringers for world history! These prompts are designed to get students thinking, debating, writing, and making connections to Medieval to Early Modern Times in a low-prep, student-friendly format. Each prompt presents students with a choice related to ancient his
6th - 9th
Other (Social Studies), U.S. History, World History
CCSS
RH.6-8.2
, RH.6-8.3
, RH.6-8.7
+2
Bellringers | World History - Ancient Civilizations “Would You Rather?!”
64 World History “Would You Rather?!” Bellringers | Ancient CivilizationsBring energy, discussion, and critical thinking into your Ancient Civilizations unit with this set of 64 fun and engaging “Would You Rather?!” bellringers for world history! These prompts are designed to get students thinking, debating, writing, and making connections to major ancient civilizations in a low-prep, student-friendly format. Each prompt presents students with a choice related to ancient history, culture, leader
6th - 9th
Other (Social Studies), U.S. History, World History
CCSS
RH.6-8.2
, RH.6-8.3
, RH.6-8.7
+2
Ancient Egypt | Video Lesson with Quiz & Activities
Bring your Ancient Egypt unit to life with this engaging video-based lesson featuring critical thinking questions, interactive activities, and an assessment quiz designed to deepen students’ understanding of Egypt’s geography, the Nile River, pharaohs, religion, pyramids, hieroglyphics, daily life, inventions, trade, and lasting impact through thoughtful, student-centered learning and reflection. 🎥 This resource pairs with the 7:12-minute video: Ancient Egypt: History in Minutes ('click' here
6th - 9th
Other (Social Studies), U.S. History, World History
CCSS
RH.6-8.1
, RH.6-8.2
, RH.6-8.3
+5
Showing 1-20 of 195 results
About the store
Experience
With 16 years of experience teaching both English Language Arts and History across multiple grade levels, I bring a deep understanding of how students grow as readers, writers, and critical thinkers.
My classroom experience has shaped every resource I create. I know firsthand what it takes to balance rigor with engagement, structure with flexibility, and high expectations with meaningful support. Teaching across subjects and grade levels has given me a strong perspective on skill progression — how students develop analytical thinking, writing stamina, and confidence over time.
Each lesson is designed to be practical, classroom-tested, and purposeful. The goal is not just to assign work, but to foster thoughtful discussion, deeper comprehension, and lasting understanding.
Teaching style
My teaching style centers on depth, clarity, and meaningful engagement.
I believe students learn best when they are challenged to think critically, supported with purposeful structure, and given space to develop their own ideas. In my classroom, learning is active — discussions are thoughtful, writing is intentional, and reading goes beyond surface-level comprehension.
I value strong routines and clear expectations, but I also prioritize flexibility and authentic conversation. Students are encouraged to question, analyze, and make connections that extend beyond the text. Skills are built progressively, with careful scaffolding that promotes independence and confidence over time.
Awards & shining teacher moments
Throughout my 16 years in education, the most meaningful recognition has always come from student growth and classroom impact. However, I am deeply honored to have been named Teacher of the Year twice — a recognition that reflects not only instructional dedication, but also a commitment to building strong relationships and a positive learning culture.
Some of my proudest “shining moments” aren’t formal recognitions at all — they’re the breakthrough discussions, the reluctant readers who find confidence, the writers who discover their voice, and the classes that leave stronger thinkers than when they arrived.
My own education history
PhD in Global Relations and Master of Arts Degree in Education
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