This project supports a book, Black Boy, by acclaimed author Richard Wright. Each year I use an audiobook to play a few sections to start each class during the first semester. It gives me a great opportunity to communicate my expectations pertaining to an appropriate class start and the benefits of being a good listener. By the end of the semester, my students have a scholarly book under their belt and a great narrative of a historic period in time provided by an age appropriate character. The project is divided into seven parts and does not include the book. Each part is represented on a rubric that guides students through the activity: email, professionally done, geography, history, notes, discussion board, and compare/contrast. Check out a student example by following this link: http://goo.gl/QEQ6G1 I have included the answer template, a video to coach students through the compare and contrast activity, and a summary describing Richard Wright.

The Similes in History strategy will challenge your student’s creativity while requiring them to demonstrate content knowledge. In this literacy activity, students must document their learning by constructing seven similes that touch upon the Great Depression & New Deal. All literacy strategies can easily be aligned to CCSS. You can assign or students can decide the topics. This activity can be done individually, with partners or groups, or split between both to encourage collaboration. It includes a brief 10 minute video clip explaining what a simile is, directions, examples, and an answer template for students to record their creativity. This activity serves as a great non-traditional assessment piece. It usually takes me one (50 minute) class period and every time it is used several students amaze me with the creative examples they generate. They will do the same for you too!

Do you want to bring a historic period or event to life? Let Hollywood help. The Ernest Green Story is rated PG and is a film that follows the story of the Little Rock Nine as they become the first students to integrate a high school in the south. Students will enjoy seeing the style of dress and the cars. They will also become keenly aware of the courage and bravery it took to end segregation. As your students get to know the characters, you will have many opportunities to make many connections and/or refer back to their stories. This lesson includes a movie review, an answer key, and 30 questions that guide your students through the action. You will have to purchase the movie.

Editing images is a fun and engaging way for students to demonstrate their learning. This learning template can be used with any subject. lt emphasizes learning in the 21st century via content and creativity. It is pre-loaded with content that explores the causes of World War II in U.S. History but you can easily edit in any content to suit your needs. The activity guides your students by taking a simple three part approach: research, practice, and create. I have included everything you will need to coach your students through the process: specific instructions, examples, video tutorial, and a rubric. It even includes an element that addresses fair use and citations. This activity has been aligned to ISTE standards. It is a perfect fit for a Flipped or blended classroom because it can be designed to compliment your video/virtual instruction. It also provides a very strong advocacy piece to show off the knowledge and creativity of your students.

How do you teach reading in the content area? This popular question is answered by explaining how to do the Close and Critical Reading Activity. It is an engaging lesson from my literacy series and it is also referred to as Guided Highlighted Reading. This activity applies to key events that describe the beginning of World War II from the invasion of Poland to America entering the war. This lesson is conducted in three parts: read prompts/highlight article, revisit prompts to discuss or correct any errors, and assess (timeline activity). All parts can be done in one traditional class period. It has been a class favorite since it was started. Except for the highlighters, this item includes everything you will need: the teacher read prompts, list of vocabulary terms, article for students, answer key, and a video tutorial demonstrating how the activity is to be conducted.

The Alike but Different strategy will help your students organize their thoughts and information concerning different points of comparison. In this literacy activity, students are given a brief article and a table of information that describes: Democracy, Communism, Fascism, and Nazism. For your visual learners, I have also included a 10 minute video clip comparing governing styles. Using the Alike but Different answer template, your students will record similarities and differences concerning governing styles of countries during World War II. The activity ends with a writing prompt that encourages persuasive writing and the use of the information they organized on the template. Use the writing samples for your formative assessment. This activity usually takes me three (50 minute) class periods. You will find yourself using this template when comparing anything in your class.

Are you teaching about the Great Depression? Do you need a resource to help students learn about the Dust Bowl? Let me help you with an engaging lesson from my literacy series. It is called LINK and it is conducted in four part: List, Inquire, Notes, and Know. All parts can be done in one traditional class period or assigned as homework. It has been a class favorite since it was started. If you can think, you can LINK, and that don’t stink:-) This item includes the LINK lesson, including a brief supporting article, and a video tutorial demonstrating how the activity is to be conducted. It also includes two links to bonus videos that will help this natural disaster come to life visually.

Do you need another approach to teaching reading in the content area? If so, I have just the activity for you. You Make the Read is a quick activity that emphasizes literacy and writing while learning about course content. It can be completed in one 50 minute period. First, students read the passage/article included in this lesson and they will write “yes” or “no” questions that focus upon the most important parts of the article. Next, students are given time to quiz each other (using the questions they have developed) before facing off against the champ…..you the teacher! The teacher finishes the activity by reading students his/her questions. Students can use the questions they made, not the article, to help answers the questions you read them. This engaging lesson from my literacy series is always a lot of fun and part of every unit. Everything you need is included with this lesson: directions, article, quiz questions, and an answer key.

Do you need another approach to teaching reading in the content area? If so, I have just the activity for you. You Make the Read is a quick activity that emphasizes literacy and writing while learning about course content. It can be completed in one 50 minute period. First, students read the passage/article included in this lesson and they will write “yes” or “no” questions that focus upon the most important parts of the article. Next, students are given time to quiz each other (using the questions they have developed) before facing off against the champ…..you the teacher! The teacher finishes the activity by reading students his/her questions. Students can use the questions they made, not the article, to help answers the questions you read them. This engaging lesson from my literacy series is always a lot of fun and part of every unit. Everything you need is included with this lesson:-)

Are you teaching about the progressive movement? Do you need a resource to help students explore social issues? Let me help you with an engaging lesson from my literacy series. It is called LINK and it is conducted in four part: List, Inquire, Notes, and Know. All parts can be done in one traditional class period or assigned as homework. It has been a class favorite since it was started. If you can think, you can LINK, and that don’t stink! This item includes the LINK lesson, including a brief supporting article, and a video tutorial demonstrating how the activity is to be conducted. It also includes a link to a bonus video that illustrates the battle between Capital and Labor.

This movie is used to reinforce the value of education and the power of caring teachers. I use it at the end of a unit in sociology pertaining to education. Your students will identify with at least one character in this movie and you might connect to Mr. Holland! This is a “Rocky” movie for teachers and can drive great classroom discussion about a variety of sociological topics. There are several pause points that will give you an opportunity to discuss and do some quick research. This lesson includes an answer key and 46 questions that guide your students through the action. Questions are divided into two parts, multiple choice and sequencing. When shown in class, it takes three traditional (50 minute) classes. You will have to purchase the movie.

Mixbook is a free program that will allow your students to create and author their first digital publication. Please check out this example: http://goo.gl/87x8d3 Giving your students an opportunity to become an author is a fun and engaging way for students to demonstrate their learning. This learning template can be used with any subject. lt emphasizes learning in the 21st century via content and creativity. It is pre-loaded with content that explores the Civil Rights Movement in U.S. History but you can easily edit in any content to suit your needs. The activity guides your students by taking a simple three part approach: research, practice, and create. I have included everything you will need to coach your students through the process: specific instructions, examples, video tutorial, and a rubric. It even includes an element that addresses fair use and citations.

Are you into multiple intelligences? Are you looking to incorporate music into your curriculum? Do you like to model creativity for your students? Then you might be interested in this activity that is part of my Methods with Melody series. In this activity, called The Depression Tune, students will gain introductory knowledge to the Great Depression and New Deal. I actually lead students in the singing of this history tune with classic background music originally performed by Harry Chapin. Classes get so engaged that students are often recording and playing back the tune. With this lesson, you will receive my history lyrics so you can guide your students through the song and a link to a free midi music file to be used as the background beat. We have always had a lot of laughs with this intro activity and it is the activity most remembered by students years after graduation. I am always amazed when they can bring back a lyric (historic content) 10 or 12 years later.

This assessment consists of 40 questions that focus on the United States during World War II. It ties in the fighting overseas as well as the efforts at home. Also include are questions about the holocaust, the Nuremberg Trials, and the Japanese Internment. All questions are in a multiple choice or matching format. An answer key is included too.

Creating an animations is a fun and engaging way for students to demonstrate their learning. This learning template can be used with any subject. lt emphasizes learning in the 21st century via content and creativity. It is pre-loaded with content that explores imperialism but you can easily edit in any content to suit your needs. The activity guides your students by taking a simple three part approach: research, practice, and create. I have included everything you will need to coach your students through the process: specific instructions, examples, video tutorial, and a rubric. It even includes an element that addresses fair use and citations.

How do you teach reading in the content area? This popular question is answered by explaining how to do the Close and Critical Reading Activity. It is an engaging lesson from my literacy series and it is also referred to as Guided Highlighted Reading. This activity describes the why America became involved with imperialism. This lesson is conducted in three parts: read prompts/highlight article, revisit prompts to discuss or correct any errors, and assess. The assessment for this activity is to create a graph using a table of data and brief paragraph. All parts can be done in one traditional class period. It has been a class favorite since it was started. Except for the highlighters, this item includes everything you will need: the teacher read prompts, article for students, brief assessment, answer key, and a video tutorial demonstrating how the activity is to be conducted.

Have your students chart the growth of America as a world power! This activity will engage your students as they research territorial acquisitions from 1870 to 1930. The printable worksheet is set up so students can record their findings and once finished, plot the new territories on a world map. Map is also included.

Do you want to bring a historic period or event to life? Let Hollywood help. Red Tails is rated PG13 and is a great film that follows the story of some of the first African Americans to participate in combat during World War II. This movie will bring to life some of the struggles associated with fighting a war. As students get to know the characters, you will have many opportunities to make many connections or refer back to their stories. This lesson includes an answer key and 50 questions that guide your students through the action. You will have to purchase the movie. The run time is 127 minutes.

The Similes in History strategy will challenge your student’s creativity while requiring them to demonstrate content knowledge. In this literacy activity, students must document their learning by constructing seven similes that touch upon Conflict Theory. All literacy strategies can easily be aligned to CCSS. You can assign or students can decide the topics. This activity can be done individually, with partners or groups, or split between both to encourage collaboration. It includes a brief 10 minute video clip explaining what a simile is, directions, examples, and an answer template for students to record their creativity. This activity serves as a great non-traditional assessment piece. It usually takes me one (50 minute) class period and every time it is used several students amaze me with the creative examples they generate. They will do the same for you too!

Do you want to bring a historic period or event to life? Let Hollywood help. Apollo 13 is rated PG and is a film that follows the crew of the Apollo 13 space mission from training to space. After several critical mechanical failures, students will be on the edge of their seats wondering if the crew will make it back to earth . As your students get to know the characters, you will have many opportunities to make many connections and/or refer back to their stories. This lesson includes an answer key and 30 questions that guide your students through the action. You will have to purchase the movie.