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@mattneil.bsky.social

Teacher, mentor, and coach to young people. I help students find their voice. I teach kids. Co-leader #sschat ➑️ mrneilhistory in the old place. Interests: Teaching, learning, games, tech, pedagogy, history, psych, soc, philosophy, libraries, tennis & πŸ“š.

1,479 Followers  |  778 Following  |  976 Posts  |  Joined: 21.07.2023
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Posts by (@mattneil.bsky.social)

πŸ’

01.03.2026 14:39 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

#sschat

27.02.2026 22:19 β€” πŸ‘ 5    πŸ” 3    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

Wonderful evening last night hearing @michaelhattem.bsky.social speak and getting him to sign my copy. Your Jeopardy! question: What connects Star Wars and the American Revolution? #sschat

13.02.2026 20:05 β€” πŸ‘ 3    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 1
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Yesterday’s game, more Cabinet Noir (intelligence agency competition and cooperation in Napoleon’s Empire). 3 players today. (Scales from 2-8 players.) Here are some prototype components, and a section of detail from the board with the color-coding for the different dice in play:

12.02.2026 14:22 β€” πŸ‘ 61    πŸ” 4    πŸ’¬ 2    πŸ“Œ 0

How I clarify this in my book on the Bill of Rights is that, among the proposed amendments dealing with individual freedoms, those in what is now the First Amendment were listed first. But originally they would have been Third Amendment rights. Doesn't have the same ring to it, does it? #sschat

01.02.2026 01:07 β€” πŸ‘ 3    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

πŸ˜‚

03.02.2026 22:42 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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this, and

we should let go of the expectation of achieving peace in this world. aim for purpose instead

31.01.2026 20:37 β€” πŸ‘ 18    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
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I’m collecting stories for my upcoming book, Bringing Religious Literacy to the Classroom: Global Competence for K–12 Social Studies (Routledge Eye on Education). πŸŒπŸ“šπŸ‘‰ For more info & to share your story click here: bit.ly/brl2classroom Deadline: Mar 1, 2026 #ReligiousLiteracy #GlobalCompetence

31.01.2026 17:37 β€” πŸ‘ 3    πŸ” 3    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

Never mind the jobs you had; tell me five classes you took in college:

1. Ancient Rome (almost a Classics major)
2. Geology (visited a fault line!)
3. Oceanography (let’s just say my grade was below β€œsea” level)
4. The English Novel
5. Shakespeare (performed Midsummer Night’s Dream all over campus)

31.01.2026 14:33 β€” πŸ‘ 103    πŸ” 8    πŸ’¬ 35    πŸ“Œ 23

When it’s done accidentally, it may be because someone’s heard it wrong. When it’s being done intentionally it’s an attempt to continually subtly de-legitimize the opposition. It’s a dirty trick that doesn’t look like one and being aware of that can help you identify people acting in good faith.

26.01.2026 01:29 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

It may seem small, but remember it’s the Democratic Party and the Republican Party. If someone is saying Democrat party or Republic party, they are saying it wrong. They might not know the right way to say it or they might be doing it intentionally, but regardless it is wrong.

26.01.2026 00:13 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

When it’s done accidentally, it may be because someone’s heard it wrong. When it’s being done intentionally it’s an attempt to continually subtly de-legitimize the opposition. It’s a dirty trick that doesn’t look like one and being aware of that can help you identify people acting in good faith.

26.01.2026 01:29 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

It may seem small, but remember it’s the Democratic Party and the Republican Party. If someone is saying Democrat party or Republic party, they are saying it wrong. They might not know the right way to say it or they might be doing it intentionally, but regardless it is wrong.

26.01.2026 00:13 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

Something I continue to think about on a regular basis is that there are costs to anything. Sometimes you can get something done, but there is a cost to it. So when something is happening, anything at all, it's useful to think...."what's the cost of this?"

22.01.2026 02:58 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

I know a lot of people don’t have a choice, but if you *do* have a choice about whether to get your kid a tablet or a laptop for college…please get them a laptop!! They’re not the same!

20.01.2026 02:08 β€” πŸ‘ 66    πŸ” 7    πŸ’¬ 4    πŸ“Œ 0

#sschat

18.01.2026 18:36 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

You’re welcome, yes that is one positive for sure!

13.01.2026 03:28 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Internships Intern with us for an opportunity to contribute to our national effort to share a diversity of women's stories from the past and present.

Women's History Internships @ Smithsonian in museum admin; advancement; comms; or digital. $1200/wk stipend+ travel to/from DC. 6/8 - 8/7/26. Apply NOW (deadline = 2/12 OR first 200 applications) Open to U.S. college students/recent college grads, 18 yrs of age or older & have 3.0 or higher GPA.

13.01.2026 03:01 β€” πŸ‘ 7    πŸ” 11    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 1

Feel better to both of you.

13.01.2026 00:14 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

Re-upping this on the Legislative Branch #sschat

Contributions from: @cdabvt.bsky.social @reallymrst.bsky.social @swanversations.bsky.social @mapm8ker.bsky.social @gplastrik.bsky.social @samulmschneider.bsky.social @mrnfhaines.bsky.social @altairamorbius.bsky.social @miladyfirestorm.bsky.social

11.01.2026 19:45 β€” πŸ‘ 8    πŸ” 3    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

Go @mapm8ker.bsky.social! #sschat

11.01.2026 00:39 β€” πŸ‘ 8    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
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Sample Undergraduate Student Unessay Projects β€’ Jamie L.H. Goodall This is a "highlight" collection of some of the amazing projects my students have created. There are some videos, some writing, and a whole lot of awesome.

Using website from @lhistorienne.bsky.social to showcase ideas for "unessay" projects for students.

1st semester, #APUSH students do directed projects for each unit, but 2nd sem. I cut them lose to create own projects within specific focus areas. Creativity @ primary source work focus. #sschat πŸ—ΊοΈ

09.01.2026 19:09 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Spanish American Conflict of 1898: Treaties and Self-Determination - The National Museum of American Diplomacy The United States sent theΒ USS MaineΒ battleship to Havana Harbor to protect its citizens and interests in the Spanish-Cuban conflict. On the night of February 15, 1898, an explosion rocked the ship wh...

Fellow US History teachers, as we head back tomorrow I wanted to share a fantastic simulation about American imperialism and the Spanish-American War from National Museum of Am. Diplomacy. It’s consistently a hit with my students! #sschat πŸ—ΊοΈ

diplomacy.state.gov/teacher-reso...

04.01.2026 18:03 β€” πŸ‘ 13    πŸ” 4    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

Each and every day it becomes more clear that our 20+ year focus on stem at the expense of humanities, history, social science, and social studies has been a colossal mistake. We should reverse course immediately and should be pushing for this on a regular basis. #sschat

30.11.2024 18:14 β€” πŸ‘ 92    πŸ” 30    πŸ’¬ 10    πŸ“Œ 4

Hope all went well, glad you were able to run, nothing better than getting in some exercise.

04.01.2026 21:48 β€” πŸ‘ 3    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

Ha, sounds like our household, and great reference!

04.01.2026 21:44 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

Thanks for a great chat everyone! Here are my recommendations for student teachers:

1-Student teachers overestimate what they can remember (everyone does this). Too much happens in a day to rely on your memory. Take notes on everything. #sschat

02.01.2026 23:25 β€” πŸ‘ 8    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 2    πŸ“Œ 0

I love it, that's the type of thing we need in school. Even when doing hard work, we can still have a bit of fun and a quest is what we all need!

03.01.2026 15:43 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

7-Genuinely care for the kids, get to know them, and take an interest in what is important to them. The better you know your students, the more they will learn with you, and the more fun the learning will be for them and for you too! #sschat

02.01.2026 23:25 β€” πŸ‘ 5    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0