Summarizing the main idea of any informational text can be tough for many students. This template is an excellent way to summarize the conversation or conflict between two people or two groups. In a fun texting-style way, students will label the shaded bubble as one party, and the white bubble as another party. They will continue the conversation in a way that summarizes the information that has been studied. Allow students to have fun mixing knowledgable information with their texting lingo! Included in this product are some content ideas for texting and a list of common texting phrases. Enjoy, and thanks for your comments and ratings! Ideas for use: Democrats / Republicans Federalist / Anti Federalist Jefferson / Lewis & Clark Moctezuma / Hernan Cortez Christopher Columbus / King Ferdinand & Queen Isabella Andrew Jackson / Cherokee Indians Slave Owner / Slave Ulysses S. Grant / Robert E. Lee 49er / Family Member Back Home Oregon Trail Emigrant / Family Member Back Home Any President or Leader / Any Citizen Any two characters of a literary novel or work And so much more.....

Students are in charge of designing new currency for a current nation or a fictitious country of their own. The currency will need to be detailed, creative, not able to be counterfeited, and meet the six characteristics of money as outlined in the student directions. What's Included: - Student directions including the 6 characteristics of money - Explanation of visual representation and written description of their currency - 10 specific details must be met (i.e. - symbols, anti-counterfeit characteristics, denominations.....) - Detailed grading rubric for the teacher

CRACK THE CODE is a fun way to experience what archaeologists or linguists go through as they attempt to decipher and decode unknown languages of the past. Like a cryptogram, have students use the letter frequency chart and the common tendencies of the English language, to crack the code and decipher this very important message! I like to use this for my history class to help students understand the difficulties that historians face in discovering an unknown language. You could also use it as a brain break or a fun filler for any class. Regardless of the use, it’s a fun challenge for students to do individually or as a group competition. Enjoy, and thanks for checking out the resources at Mister Harms! Have an awesome day! What’s Included: - A coded message from an unknown language - A letter frequency chart to help guide students for letter substitution - An answer key

School Gear is a fun and engaging lesson for enjoying the basic concepts of Economics! While understanding economic decisions that need to be made, students will form groups and design school gear as if they were going to produce and sell it. Groups are instructed to answer 12 questions as they imagine and create their school gear. Students are also responsible for a visual representation of their gear along with a written description of their products. Major Questions Include: - What will we produce? - How will we produce it? - Who will get the goods produced? - Additional questions regarding what land, labor, & capital will be needed. - 9 other questions regarding their school gear production ideas.

This lesson will help students better understand one of the most important documents of all time: The Declaration of Independence. After becoming familiar with the Declaration from your textbook or another source, students will be given this series of excerpts and questions. Though Thomas Jefferson's Declaration can be difficult to understand for some, this worksheet is a great overall, big-picture, way to study such an important document without becoming overwhelmed. The Declaration is really just a big "break-up letter" from the colonists to the King. After referring to the primary source in our text book, along with the provided discussion questions in this lesson, this has been a concise way for my students to best understand the Declaration of Independence. Download the preview to see what this lesson looks like. An answer key is included. A copy of the Declaration of Independence is not included.

Have you ever wanted to take your class to Ancient Rome? Now you can without spending a dime. On this virtual field trip, students will become the travel guides. Through summaries and pictures, students will create a travel brochure that highlights 10 major locations of the Ancient Roman Empire. This creative project includes writing, research, and graphic design. What's Included: - Student instructions for completion of project - A map of the Roman Empire for travel needs - Grading rubric for the teacher

This PowerPoint presentation is a must have or any history class! Start the first day of school or first lesson with “WHY” because students always want to know why? Why am I learning about history? Why do we have to study this stuff anyway? When am I ever going to use this in life? Isn’t history about a bunch of old dead people and things that have already happened? I typically use this for a first day of school, or first day of history class lesson! You’ve heard these questions before. These are great questions that should not be dismissed but rather explored. I always begin my first day of any history class going through this PowerPoint discussion to convince my students that history is truly important to them. I have found that the “WHY” must be answered before the “WHAT.” When students know why, then learning can begin. I hope this resource helps your students as much as it has helped mine, and gets them excited about learning history! Enjoy this full “NO PREP” mini lesson. What’s Included in the PowerPoint: - A note to the teacher that helps explain why history is so important. - Lesson ideas to incorporate before and after the presentation. - 6 reasons as to “Why we study history?" to present to students - A link to an inspirational 4 min video about history's influence. - Numerous discussion notes and evidences for each of the 6 points to help the teacher lead the large group discussion and/or lecture. - This is ready to go with “NO PREP” or research needed. Yeah!

This is an economics reinforcement activity on costs, benefits and opportunity cost. Students will evaluate the costs and benefits in given scenarios in order to make the best decision. Students will also be able to recognize the opportunity cost (the opportunity that was given up) in the decision being made. Opportunity cost is a great way to help students understand decision making. Each of us are making decisions and choices all the time. Every time we say yes to something, we are saying no to something else. This is the concept of opportunity cost. Example: - It’s Monday night and you have 3 options. 1. Study for your big social studies test tomorrow (you are almost failing this class). 2. Play the new video game with all your friends. 3. Watch the primetime sporting event featuring your favorite team. Students will list the costs and benefits of each scenario, the decision made and the opportunity cost or value given up because of the decision. Students will also create their own scenarios listing out all costs, benefits and opportunity costs.

To better understand the basic information within the United States Constitution, students will browse through the Constitution and find the main ideas about the 7 Articles and the 27 Amendments. Included are 17 questions about the articles, and 27 questions about the amendments. All questions (except for one) will be answered with a number. This is a great way to introduce, study, or review the United States Constitution for your Constitution unit or a Constitution Day activity. You may even want to group your students and make this into a competition or race. Whatever method you use, your students will certainly gain a better understanding of the facts and layout of the U.S. Constitution. Examples of questions include: - Which article explains the Judicial Branch and our court systems? - According to Article II, how old must you be to become President? - This amendment outlaws slavery. - This amendment gives women the right to vote? - And more..... Answer keys are included. A copy of the U.S. Constitution is not included in this product. You will want to use the Constitution found in the textbook or another source. This "Constitution: Scavenger Hunt" product can be used for studying just the Articles (Original Constitution), just the Amendments, or both for a broad overview. This has proven to be one of the best ways for my students to comprehend the information and layout of the U.S. Constitution. In addition, I also use Constitution: The Articles, Primary Source in my unit on the Constitution. Enjoy, and thank you for your comments and ratings!

This Current Events Summary is an excellent tool for students to get involved with the news and the current events of the week. A simple writing format helps students find, summarize, and write opinions about current news stories and current events. I find this activity to be a practical filler for various social studies courses. Included: - Student directions: Find, Highlight, Summarize, Importance, Opinion - Student writing form (2 pages) - Grading rubric

Overview From leadership gurus to accomplished CEO’s, setting goals is a proven lifestyle practice of the most successful. If you don’t know where you want to go, how can you even get there? If you don’t know where the target is, how do you know where to aim? This concept is true for student achievement as well. As teachers, we are always looking to help our students maximize their potential and this STUDENT GOALS resource will bring the proven goal setting process into the classroom. What’s Included? Students will take initiative in their own goal setting by completing the given goals worksheet. Once completed, you the teacher will now have a platform to discuss with the student their goals for the class and the appropriate target to aim for. This Student Goals resource includes two different versions. One version has pre-made questions such as “What grade do I want to achieve in this class?” The second version is an open template with four slots for you or your students to create custom goals. Use whichever version fits your needs best. I like to use this resource at the start of my classes as students have the best intentions during the first days of any course. I know this will be a great accountability resource to help keep your students motivated, participating, and achieving their highest potential. I find that students who take ownership in drafting and signing their own goals, will perform at a greater level than a teacher just telling them to do better. I am excited for your students to grow in their potential with this STUDENT GOALS resource!

The Declaration of Independence was really a big "break-up" letter written by Thomas Jefferson and the colonists to the King of Great Britain. This historical document was written to convince the world of the King's abuses and let everyone know that the colonies no longer want to be in a relationship with Great Britain. After studying the Declaration of Independence, students will use this assignment as a reinforcement to understand just what Jefferson wrote in this historical document. By texting back and forth, it's a fun way to understand the "big idea" behind the Declaration of Independence.

Great for any Psychology or Health class, students will take a self-reflective survey regarding their own mental health, physical health, personal life, and more. Answering 6 questions each in 8 areas of their lives, students will complete a total of 48 questions. With the results, students will map out their scores on the included "Wheel of Life." This wheel is a great visual to see how their life is "rolling along." This life assessment survey is a great way for students to assess where they are at in life, give them encouragement where they are succeeding, and shed a light on areas for improvement. Stress, health, and life are all measured in this activity. As a teachers, you may even want to fill it out yourself. I know I do from time to time. This may be used in any health or psychology class. I use this during my Stress, Health & Disorders unit within my Psychology classes. Download the preview for a sample look at the questions and format. Enjoy this life changing lesson and thank you so much for your comments and ratings. What's Included: - 4 worksheets of 12 questions each (48 total questions) - 6 questions on Physical Health - 6 questions on Mental Health - 6 questions on Spiritual Health - 6 questions on Financial Health - 6 questions on Family Health - 6 questions on Social/Relationship Health - 6 questions on Time/Productivity Health - 6 questions on Lifestyle Health - 1 worksheet with the "Wheel of life" to map out results - Reflection questions for students to complete and discuss: How is your life is rolling along? What areas are going well? What areas are flat and need improvement? Like any wheel, what areas need attention and some extra maintenance? What practical items need to be addressed?

Teach your psychology class about defense mechanisms with this content-rich, mini lesson. Sigmund Freud believed that in order to deal with conflict in life, an individual’s ego puts up various defense mechanisms to ward off undesired stress. So what are the various tactics that we as individuals use to avoid conflict and undesired scenarios? This lessons is definitely “on-point” and will give your class the important understandings of the 8 major defense mechanisms. The best part is that there is no prep for you, except downloading and printing! Enjoy and if you have time, I’d appreciate your feedback and rating! What’s Included: • Step by step guide in how to conduct and lead this mini-lesson. • A link to an online text for students to read about the various defense mechanisms • PowerPoint set of notes for whole group instruction that includes a definition and example of the 8 major defense mechanisms. • Follow up activity for student engagement and reinforcement. • 16 question worksheet to use for assessing student understanding. This worksheet has 16 different scenarios that students will have to match with the appropriate defense mechanism. (For example: _________ After he is disciplined by his parents, Mikey tends to bully and tease his younger brother and sister.) Answer key is included. The 8 defense mechanisms studied are: denial, regression, repression, sublimation, reaction formation, rationalization, projection, and displacement.

What does the President of the United States do anyway? Throughout the day, the President wears many hats and is responsible for many different roles within the Executive Branch. This engaging mini-lesson is an excellent way for students to comprehend all roles played by the President. "Roles of the President" is an engaging resource for any unit that studies the President or the Executive Branch. The 7 roles studied include: Chief Executive, Chief Diplomat, Commander in Chief, Party Chief, Economic Chief, Legislative Leader, & Head of State. What's Included: - Complete set of instructional directions for the teacher - Two page student reading that explains the seven major roles played by the President. Each role has a summary explanation along with several specific examples - Directions for skits as students will explain each role through acting out scenarios - Assessment of 14 questions that reads like story explaining a day in the life of the President. As the story reads, scenarios are underlined and students must identify what role is being played by the President. • Example: "...After being briefed on the news, the President receives an urgent call from the King of Saudi Arabia to discuss plans for the upcoming peace summit involving many Middle Eastern countries...." - Students will identify which of the 7 presidential roles is being played.

This is a great way to study and know the information contained within the United States Constitution. To better understand the layout and information within the United States Constitution, students will read through the original 7 Articles of this primary source document and find the main ideas. This is a nice addition to Constitution Day or your existing unit on the Constitution. Don't be afraid to have your students study this great document. One of the most influential documents of all time, the Founding Fathers kept this document short, and at an 8th grade reading level so the average citizen of the late 1700's could understand their own government. Students may grumble at first when talking about the Constitution, but using this "user-friendly" guide to understanding this great document, students will have a sense of accomplishment and patriotism when completed. I believe you and your students will benefit with this practical, do-able series of worksheets for your classroom. What's Included: - Worksheet #1 - 20 questions about Article I. - Worksheet #2 - 14 questions about Article II. - Worksheet #3 - 12 questions about Article III. - Worksheet #4 - 14 questions about Articles IV-VII. - Answer keys are included for all worksheets. A copy of the U.S. Constitution is not included in this product. You will want to use the Constitution found in the textbook or another source. This has proven to be one of the best ways for my students to comprehend the information and layout of the U.S. Constitution. For an even quicker overview of the Constitution, and all 27 amendments, you might enjoy Constitution: Scavenger Hunt, Primary Source.

Want a project for your psychology students? Students can use this guide to research, write and present information on a psychological disorder of their choosing. This is an excellent project for a psychology class or any course discussing mental health and mental illness. You may assign students to present in any format desired: Powerpoint, presentation, Prezi, research paper, etc. A student instruction guide, teacher rubric, and helpful websites are all included. Information Included: - Psychological Disorder - Symptoms - Causes - Prevalence - History - Treatment - and more....

Create A Crossword Puzzle is a great way to review or summarize information by having students create their own crossword puzzles. Students will receive the worksheet templates to create a crossword puzzle for the class by using the major terms, people, or places studied during the chapter or unit. Teachers may choose the best student crossword and distribute it to the class, or students can swap crosswords with each other. As a creative means for learning, this activity allows students to "secretly" help create an assignment, or a center activity, for the teacher. No computers or internet connectivity required.

BATTLESHIPS is the ultimate REVIEW GAME to use for any subject and most any grade level. I created this years ago as I was trying to find a way to keep students engaged and excited about the content being studied. Now I have finally packaged this class favorite into a format for others to enjoy. Here's how it works. Students will be grouped into teams, and each team will have 10 ships loaded with various treasures. The ships will be numbered, but unseen by the rest of the class. The teacher will run the game by asking questions, calling on groups who raise their hands, and recording the captured treasures. The ultimate goal is to answer questions correctly, attack another team's numbered ship, collect the treasures of each ship (or maybe even the negative treasures), then repeat until all unit content or teacher questions have been covered. The team with the most gold at the end of game is declared the winner! Played similar to the well-known Battleship board game, this game keeps students engaged and wanting to study so they can beat their friends in a friendly, competitive game of BATTLESHIPS. Nothing quite beats competition in the classroom! It just might be the new class favorite! All necessary rules, printouts, and score keeping sheets are included. Just print, play, and make your students' day! Enjoy studying with this ultimate review game. If you have time, leave a rating and comment as I'd love to hear how it goes for you!

Help your students know all of the States and Capitals of the United States with this huge, MEGA Pack of resources. Crossword puzzle, word search, test blanks, word bank, and so many more options are included in this MEGA Pack! You will even get a Mini-Research project template for students to research their favorite state, as well as a creative writing template. Whether it be for a civics unit, classroom centers, or emergency sub-plans, this pack has you covered! Your students will love learning all of the 50 States and Capitals as a whole or in regions! What's Included: - States Test form - Capitals Test form - Modified versions of each test - Capitals crossword puzzle - Blank study maps and list - Word banks for each test - States by region or as a whole - Mini-Research template on a state of choice - Creative writing template - Over 20 pages of states & capitals resources