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Shaun Moriarty

@moriartyhistory.bsky.social

550 followers 350 following 94 posts

http://linktr.ee/moriartyhistory, Oxford Middle School teacher, History Dept. Chair, Wilson Institute HistoryQuest Fellow, Google Certified Educator, History Club, XC Coach; #EduSky

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Shaun Moriarty @moriartyhistory.bsky.social · Nov 14

If that’s not a damn good question to ask oneself on a daily basis, I don’t know what is.
#LeadingSchoolChange #ToddWhitaker #MAedu #EduSky #KeepMovingForward

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Shaun Moriarty @moriartyhistory.bsky.social · 2d

Interesting data in the current @neatoday.bsky.social that says fewer teachers are considering leaving the classroom than in recent years. What’s driving the shift? Better support? Job market shifts? Resilience? Being further removed from the pandemic? Something else? #edusky #MAedu

Data charts showing teachers are less inclined to leave the classroom now than last year. Down from 22% to 16% overall; from 20% to 14% in Caucasian teachers; down 28% to 23% for Hispanic/Latino educators; and down from 35% to 28% among Black/African American teachers.

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Shaun Moriarty @moriartyhistory.bsky.social · 2d

Today my class went on a Carmen Sandiego-style fossil chase to wrap up the week. Curious to hear: What’s a favorite gamified activity you’ve used to keep students engaged? Let’s share some ideas! #tlap #sstlap #edusky #xplap #emc2learning

a computer screen shows a man and woman in a courtroom with the words guilty guilty guilty

Alt: a computer screen from the classic PC game “Where In The World Is Carmen Sandiego?”

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Shaun Moriarty @moriartyhistory.bsky.social · 2d

Today we wrapped up the week with a little adventure: students became time-traveling detectives in a Carmen Sandiego-style quest. They chased a fossil thief, made tough choices, & got ready to dive into a real-life archaeology mystery after the break. #edusky #tlap #education #gamification

Screenshots from a Google Slides presentation that drives the narrative storyline within my gamified classroom.

Shaun Moriarty @moriartyhistory.bsky.social · 3d

A student going through a tough time with friends gave me a note letting me know my classroom had become their safe space, that “a little humor goes a long way.” The next day, a bracelet. Days later, I’m still thinking about it. We don’t always know our impact, but it’s there. #EduSky

Shaun Moriarty @moriartyhistory.bsky.social · 3d

Just finished reading “Hooked” by Nir Eyal. Unfortunately, I didn’t quite get the classroom or personal inspiration I hoped for, but hey, every read is a step forward in the learning journey. Definitely interesting and insightful, just not impactful for me or my practice.

A hardcover copy of “Hooked” by Nir Eyal.

Shaun Moriarty @moriartyhistory.bsky.social · 3d

Had one of those golden classroom moments today: 100% engagement across the board! Students dove into building hominin shelters out of different materials. Each group chose their approach and species. Sometimes all it takes is a little voice and choice to spark that critical thinking magic! #EduSky

A Neanderthal cave dwelling made of LEGO and Play-Doh

A student hard at work making a cave dwelling out of Play-Doh.

Students working on the natural environment of the Australopithecus afarensis via LEGO.

This group of students used LEGO and Jenga blocks to make a cave dwelling and natural landscape to represent the life of the Homo erectus. A little orange LEGO up front to represent fire, which the Homo erectus was the first to control and create.

Shaun Moriarty @moriartyhistory.bsky.social · 3d

In our extension class this week, we’re taking what we know about hominins to create action figures via @canva AI image generation. Then they annotate and explain their design choices. #MAedu #EduSky

Homo erectus action figure created with AI by students

Homo habilis action figure created with AI by students

Australopithecus action figure created with AI by students

Shaun Moriarty @moriartyhistory.bsky.social · 4d

On this day in 1849, Edgar Allan Poe died under mysterious circumstances. Sharing that story quickly as my “Today In History” segment of class resulted in one student borrowing a book of Poe’s short stories and another calling dibs to borrow it next.

Love when it hits a chord!

Shaun Moriarty @moriartyhistory.bsky.social · 10d

Just four more sleeps until my first 10K. #KeepMovingForward #OceanRoad10K #LetsDoThisThing

Four running sneakers laid out to resemble the number four

Shaun Moriarty @moriartyhistory.bsky.social · Sep 1

FINALLY DONE! 🎓
Just turned in my capstone for Master’s no. 2—Educational Leadership. Not rushing out of the classroom I love, but the leadership path is definitely calling. Feeling grateful, reflective, and ready for wherever this journey leads.

#NextChapter #EduLeadership #EduSky

Screenshot of my digital portfolio, completed as the capstone project for a Master’s in Educational Leadership.

Shaun Moriarty @moriartyhistory.bsky.social · Aug 23

This year, history is more than dates and names. It’s a journey through shadows, secrets, and civilizations. From the Stone Age to Mesoamerica, students will uncover buried history, face challenges, and walk the Veiled Path. The adventure begins August 27. #edusky #gamification

Shaun Moriarty @moriartyhistory.bsky.social · Aug 17

One more week to go before we’re back to school, and we’re closing out summer with a bang! Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Cleveland Guardians game, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, and running the Shawshank Hustle at historic Ohio State Reformatory, with much more to come the next few days! #grateful

The boys being sworn in as Junior Rangers at the Cuyahoga Valley National Park.

Engrossed in the Cleveland Guardians game at Progressive Field.

My oldest and I exploring the Beatles artifacts at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland.

My oldest and I before we ran the Shawshank Hustle at the Ohio State Reformatory, where the movie Shawshank Redemption was actually filmed.

Shaun Moriarty @moriartyhistory.bsky.social · Aug 3

When the history teacher’s son asks for an encyclopedia of American history while at a Revolutionary War reenactment at a living history museum … nirvana!

A boy sitting on a bench thumbing through a historic encyclopedia

Shaun Moriarty @moriartyhistory.bsky.social · Aug 1

And I thought I changed my seating arrangements often! Lot to think about here…

Rachel Lemansky @lemanskyrachel.bsky.social · Aug 1

Teachers, this is awesome!🤩 ⬇️

Edutopia @edutopia.org · Jul 13

After years of teaching, @mattpitman.com.au had a revelation: No single classroom layout fits every lesson.

Instead, his tables and chairs are “constantly on the move" to create the best configuration for “the learning at that moment.”

Here’s how his approach works:

🧵 1/6 #EduSky

Shaun Moriarty @moriartyhistory.bsky.social · Jun 26

When your son finds one of your history books and begins laying out US states based on when they were made states… “Just look at how much it’s developed by 1849!” #teacherlife #sschat #edusky

Child assembling a U.S. map puzzle to simulate the order in which each state joined the Union.

Shaun Moriarty @moriartyhistory.bsky.social · Jun 24

“School of Engagement” by @mr-alsheimer.bsky.social has been a fantastic pick up so far, and has stoked some creative juices. Just re-skinned his “Fast Cash” game for my #IndianaJones themed gamified classroom, and eager to put some rubber snakes and my “top secret” crate to new use! #EduSky #tlap

Google Slides screen depicting a snake slithering atop an aged crate marked “Top Secret”. Narrative overview of game on right-hand side for “The Serpent’s Cache”, a review game for an Indiana Jones themed classroom.

Shaun Moriarty @moriartyhistory.bsky.social · Jun 23

First Monday of summer break, but happily spending it with a handful of peers and a couple dozen other educators from around New England and beyond. Learning more and more about #EduProtocols, a staple of my classroom. #EduSky

Teachers gathered around for the start of the EduProtocols Roadshow

Shaun Moriarty @moriartyhistory.bsky.social · Jun 22

Summer break gives me the time to pour over #EMC2Learning activities I’ve not yet used and reskin them for specific units in my class. “Monarch of the Mountain” reskinned for my Stones & Bones unit, Mesopotamia unit, and Egypt unit, now ready to roll! #tlap #sstlap #sschat #edusky

Splash screen for an ancient Egypt review game called “Throne of the Pharaohs”

Splash screen for a prehistoric review game called “Campfire of the 1st Storyteller”

Splash screen for an ancient Mesopotamia review game called “Keeper of the Tablets”

Shaun Moriarty @moriartyhistory.bsky.social · Jun 21

I’m that teacher who unapologetically develops and lesson plans throughout the summer, knowing it makes me feel better and more prepared for Day 1. However, with views like this 25 minutes from my front door, I’m also getting better about disconnecting and just “being” too. #EduSky #FindingBalance

My son and I taking in a minor league baseball game on a beautiful sunny day.

Shaun Moriarty @moriartyhistory.bsky.social · Jun 20

It takes some time up front but it pays dividends quickly and repeatedly, resulting in a net gain of active time with student. Teaching can’t be simply a transactional relationship, and I wish more in this field understood that. #SchoolOfEngagement @mr-alsheimer.bsky.social

Screenshot from “School of Engagement” with the highlighted text reading “When we shift our focus from solely academic pursuits to activities that prioritize relationship-building, we unlock new levels of participation.”

Shaun Moriarty @moriartyhistory.bsky.social · Jun 19

Looking for a @burgessdave.bsky.social #DBCinc book to kick off my summer, but unsure which are still good picks several years after publication. “The Wild Card” or “Codebreaker” or “The Limitless School” would be new to my library. Open to any all thoughts, ideas, and rec’s. #EduSky #tlap #sschat

a woman in a library with a tote bag that says ' nlg ' on it

Alt: a woman in a library stuffing many books into a tote bag

media.tenor.com

Shaun Moriarty @moriartyhistory.bsky.social · Jun 19

Current iteration of same basic template with a few tweaks to reduce the cognitive firehose… #edusky #middleschool #tlap As always, any feedback is welcome!

Teacher’s daily agenda slide design with writing prompts, quote of the day, today in history, date, and class agenda.

Shaun Moriarty @moriartyhistory.bsky.social · Jun 18

Looking for teachers feedback on the agenda slide I’ve just put together for next year. Tinkering still, but not sure if this is too much going on for my 6th graders. Introducing an interactive notebook with daily prompt (left panel) this fall. #edusky #tlap #sstlap #sschat #historyteacher

Daily agenda slide for middle school classroom with date, writing prompts, quote of the day, today in history, agenda, and materials needed.

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Shaun Moriarty @moriartyhistory.bsky.social · Jun 17

It’s never just a room.

It’s a thousand moments, a hundred stories, and a few lives changed — mine included.

Until next year.

#TheRoomRemembers #LastDayVibes #TeacherReflection #MiddleSchoolLife #teachstagram #teachersoftiktok #tlap #edusky

Shaun Moriarty @moriartyhistory.bsky.social · Jun 14

Though they’ve seen all 5 films before, loved being able to share Last Crusade in theaters with my boys today. My oldest, in his fedora, especially loved it. The entire ride home he used his best tough and gravely Indy voice, and has been bouncing around the house fighting Nazis since we got home.

My son’s watching the credits roll at the end of “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade” in the theater this afternoon.