@mattneil.bsky.social
Teacher, mentor, and coach to young people. I help students find their voice. I teach kids. Co-leader #sschat ➡️ mrneilhistory in the old place.
Interests: Teaching, learning, games, tech, pedagogy, history, psych, soc, philosophy, libraries, tennis & 📚.
Interests: Teaching, learning, games, tech, pedagogy, history, psych, soc, philosophy, libraries, tennis & 📚.
Pinned
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
Reposted
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
February 1, 2026 at 1:07 AM
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
Reposted
this, and
we should let go of the expectation of achieving peace in this world. aim for purpose instead
we should let go of the expectation of achieving peace in this world. aim for purpose instead
January 31, 2026 at 8:37 PM
this, and
we should let go of the expectation of achieving peace in this world. aim for purpose instead
we should let go of the expectation of achieving peace in this world. aim for purpose instead
Reposted
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). 🌍📚👉 For more info & to share your story click here: bit.ly/brl2classroom Deadline: Mar 1, 2026 #ReligiousLiteracy #GlobalCompetence
January 31, 2026 at 5:37 PM
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). 🌍📚👉 For more info & to share your story click here: bit.ly/brl2classroom Deadline: Mar 1, 2026 #ReligiousLiteracy #GlobalCompetence
Reposted
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 “sea” level)
4. The English Novel
5. Shakespeare (performed Midsummer Night’s Dream all over campus)
1. Ancient Rome (almost a Classics major)
2. Geology (visited a fault line!)
3. Oceanography (let’s just say my grade was below “sea” level)
4. The English Novel
5. Shakespeare (performed Midsummer Night’s Dream all over campus)
Never mind the jobs you had, tell me five classes you took in college:
1. American Jewish Immigration History
2. Ancient Greek (that was rough)
3. Int'l Relations Theory
4. Modern Poetry
5. Slavery in World History (the class that sparked an interest that became my career)
1. American Jewish Immigration History
2. Ancient Greek (that was rough)
3. Int'l Relations Theory
4. Modern Poetry
5. Slavery in World History (the class that sparked an interest that became my career)
Never mind the jobs you had, tell me five classes you took in college:
1. Marine Biology (we got to go out on a boat!)
2. The History of the Holocaust
3. Logic and Critical Thinking
4. Eastern Religions
5. The French Revolution
1. Marine Biology (we got to go out on a boat!)
2. The History of the Holocaust
3. Logic and Critical Thinking
4. Eastern Religions
5. The French Revolution
January 31, 2026 at 2:33 PM
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 “sea” level)
4. The English Novel
5. Shakespeare (performed Midsummer Night’s Dream all over campus)
1. Ancient Rome (almost a Classics major)
2. Geology (visited a fault line!)
3. Oceanography (let’s just say my grade was below “sea” level)
4. The English Novel
5. Shakespeare (performed Midsummer Night’s Dream all over campus)
Reposted
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.
January 26, 2026 at 1:29 AM
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.
Reposted
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.
January 26, 2026 at 12:13 AM
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.
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.
January 26, 2026 at 12:13 AM
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.
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?"
January 22, 2026 at 2:58 AM
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?"
Reposted
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!
January 20, 2026 at 2:08 AM
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!
Remember. Always ask WHERE? before you ask WHY? And then ask WHY THERE?
Measles hot spots were found in areas like West Texas and southern New Mexico.
abcnews.go.com/Health/new-m...
via ABC News App
Measles hot spots were found in areas like West Texas and southern New Mexico.
abcnews.go.com/Health/new-m...
via ABC News App
New map shows how to spot the measles risk level in your ZIP code
For the first time, a map allows people to type in their ZIP code and determine the risk of measles in their area based on vaccination coverage.
abcnews.go.com
January 18, 2026 at 6:36 PM
Reposted
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.
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.
womenshistory.si.edu
January 13, 2026 at 3:01 AM
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.
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
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
Hi friends, we are trying this unofficial slow chat again this week. I’m starting the legislative branch and I have a new student teacher too…what resources, pedagogy, lessons would you recommend that we use to best teach about it?
My favorite activity is to do a mini mock Congress! #sschat
My favorite activity is to do a mini mock Congress! #sschat
a cartoon drawing of the capitol building with a flag hanging from the top .
Alt: a cartoon drawing of the capitol building with a flag hanging from the top. It’s from schoolhouse rock.
media.tenor.com
January 11, 2026 at 7:45 PM
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
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
A Message From our Executive Director, Ed Ayers:
We are delighted to share the news that Annie Evans has received the National Council for History Education's Sarah Drake Brown Leadership in History Education award.
We are delighted to share the news that Annie Evans has received the National Council for History Education's Sarah Drake Brown Leadership in History Education award.
January 11, 2026 at 12:39 AM
Reposted
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 🗺️
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 🗺️
Sample Undergraduate Student Unessay Projects • 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.
jamiegoodall.com
January 9, 2026 at 7:09 PM
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 🗺️
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 🗺️
Reposted
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 🗺️
diplomacy.state.gov/teacher-reso...
diplomacy.state.gov/teacher-reso...
Spanish American Conflict of 1898: Treaties and Self-Determination - The National Museum of American Diplomacy
The United States sent the USS Maine 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...
diplomacy.state.gov
January 4, 2026 at 6:03 PM
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 🗺️
diplomacy.state.gov/teacher-reso...
diplomacy.state.gov/teacher-reso...
Reposted
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
November 30, 2024 at 6:14 PM
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
Reposted
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
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
Here’s the first question for our slow chat. This will go through next week.As we head into the new year, many student teachers are beginning their teaching journeys. What advice would you give to a pre-service teacher for their student teaching experience? #sschat
January 2, 2026 at 11:25 PM
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
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
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
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
Here’s the first question for our slow chat. This will go through next week.As we head into the new year, many student teachers are beginning their teaching journeys. What advice would you give to a pre-service teacher for their student teaching experience? #sschat
January 2, 2026 at 11:25 PM
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
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
Reposted
One of the neatest projects I worked on this year was for my AP World students: breaking up and gamifying the DBQ into what I call DBQ Guild: Questline I. Using the AP rubric, I turned each skill into a separate quest students could practice and level up through. It was a lot of fun. #sschat
December 31, 2025 at 3:30 PM
One of the neatest projects I worked on this year was for my AP World students: breaking up and gamifying the DBQ into what I call DBQ Guild: Questline I. Using the AP rubric, I turned each skill into a separate quest students could practice and level up through. It was a lot of fun. #sschat
NEW: How many books did you read this year? If it was more than 2, congrats: you read more than the median American.
Read on for way more @today.yougov.com polling from me on America's book-reading habits in 2025. 1/
Read on for way more @today.yougov.com polling from me on America's book-reading habits in 2025. 1/
December 31, 2025 at 7:37 PM
People doing the work. #sschat
In Lebanon, women are leading WCK’s response to the conflict.
Chef Corps member Aline Kamakian is in Bsalim, just east of Beirut, where a dedicated team of women volunteers is cooking nourishing meals for families displaced by the crisis. #ChefsForLebanon (1/2)
Chef Corps member Aline Kamakian is in Bsalim, just east of Beirut, where a dedicated team of women volunteers is cooking nourishing meals for families displaced by the crisis. #ChefsForLebanon (1/2)
December 31, 2025 at 3:59 PM
People doing the work. #sschat
Good advice.
Here's a really easy New Year's Resolution:
If you're sick with something contagious, you will stay home if your circumstances allow.
If you can't stay home, you will mask around others until there is no possibility you are contagious.
By making these choices, you will literally save lives.
If you're sick with something contagious, you will stay home if your circumstances allow.
If you can't stay home, you will mask around others until there is no possibility you are contagious.
By making these choices, you will literally save lives.
December 31, 2025 at 3:56 PM
Good advice.
Anyone having issues with Safari since the update?
I’m having a hard time understanding why Apple made the changes that they did.
I’m having a hard time understanding why Apple made the changes that they did.
December 30, 2025 at 3:59 AM
Anyone having issues with Safari since the update?
I’m having a hard time understanding why Apple made the changes that they did.
I’m having a hard time understanding why Apple made the changes that they did.
Reposted
I have a student teacher this semester. I have asked that he try to observe as many teachers as he can - in social studies and outside of it. I personally don’t spent as much time seeing how other classrooms run. #sschat
December 30, 2025 at 12:03 AM
I have a student teacher this semester. I have asked that he try to observe as many teachers as he can - in social studies and outside of it. I personally don’t spent as much time seeing how other classrooms run. #sschat