This primary source analysis activity gives teachers a framework for their students to analyze the remarks of President George W. Bush on 9/12 – the day after the attacks. This activity features the Primary Source Ninja activity – a History Made Fresh strategy. This can be assigned in class, at home, or as a simple plan for a substitute. The Primary Source Ninja activity encourages reading for understanding, evidence selection, and personal reflection. This activity is classroom tested.

It’s flexible, powerful, compact, and can help you in a pinch – Primary Source Ninja to the rescue! This versatile primary source analysis tool is designed to deeply engage students in close reading, evidence-backed writing, and personal reflection through the lens of five themes of United States History (Equality, Rights, Liberty, Opportunity, Democracy). This CCSS oriented analysis framework can be applied to any historical document and is meant to be used and re- used throughout the year with different sources so that students gain comfort with their ability to independently read, analyze, and write about history. The Primary Source Ninja neatly fits on one page, so a primary source reading can be copied on the other side. After students gain comfort with the assignment, it can be easily assigned for homework, or used as a go-to sub plan. The Ninja can also serve as a basis for theme-based projects and formative assessments. Comes with editable file so you can adjust to your liking.

Prove It or Lose It is like a utility knife that can be used and adapted to any reading content. History teachers can use it to encourage deep reading of a primary source or textbook. English teachers can use it to encourage critical reading of a short story or non-fiction article. The possibilities are endless! The teacher picks the reading, populates true and false claims that students will seek to either prove or disprove depending on what they learn while they read. This is meant to be presented in a fun way and works great as either individual or group work. Students can use their Prove It or Lose It work as the basis for a persuasive speech, an argumentative essay, or as a silent debate. Files are fully editable so that teachers can fine-tune to their topic du jour. It also can work great as an emergency sub plan.

This question sheet is meant to accompany the BBC Empire episode called "Doing Good". Includes link to editable Google Doc and pdf version. Great video covering British imperialism in Africa.

This Video Guide is meant to accompany the excellent PBS documentary called The Secret State of North Korea. Files include printable copy of video guide, as well as link to Google Doc which can be copied and/or edited. The approximately one-hour video explains the current repressive regime in North Korea. Includes many first-hand interviews.