Give your students an opportunity to gain prerequisite understanding. This activity will help students frame the issues surrounding the social consequences of the Great Depression. Students are asked to read an article, view a letter to Eleanor Roosevelt, and analyze some interesting statistics related to the Great Depression. After or as they read, students will pull key information from the resources and record it on to a notes template. Everything you need is included with this lesson: directions, article, and a notes template. This activity aligns easily to CCSS and is conducted in a way that allows for all students to be successful.

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, links to (2) bonus video clips, and an answer key.

When teaching about the Industrial Revolution in American or World History or Economics, I have developed a lesson that allows my students to interact with capital in a real world scenario. Not only does this let them learn about the movement of capital but it also encourages the entrepreneurial spirit that is such an obvious part of the Industrial Revolution. I can also emphasize and illustrate the Core Democratic Value of Common Good. Initially, students sell pencils in order to generate capital ($25 dollar minimum). Then we use Kiva to make a business loan to an entity in a third world country. Students then monitor the investment via reports sent to us from Kiva until the loan is repaid. We continue to loan our capital until the year is done. From year to year, your capital will grow and so will the interest of your students. This lesson comes with step-by-step directions to handout, a section to record data, and a sign.

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.

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.

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.

Give your students an opportunity to gain prerequisite understanding. This activity will help students with the topic of collective behaviors. Students are asked to read from a resource and analyze some interesting statistics. After, or as they read, students will pull key information from the resource and record it on to a notes template. Everything you need is included with this lesson: directions, resource link, and a notes template. This activity aligns easily to CCSS and is conducted in a way that allows for all students to be successful.

Do you want to bring several historic periods and many events to life through a lovable fictional character named Forrest Gump? Let Hollywood help. Forrest Gump is rated PG-13 and is a film that touches upon many topics covered in a U.S. History course. This movie is used at the end of the semester as a review resource. This lesson connects your students to history with Forrest as their guide. There are several pause points that will give you an opportunity to discuss and do some quick research that is historically appropriate. My students love ending the year with this activity! This lesson includes an answer key and 29 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.

Are you looking for an activity to help students make connections to your psychology unit on emotions and personality? Let Hollywood help. Inside Out is rated PG and is a great movie that focuses on emotions/personality and how they manifest into behavior. Students love this activity and this movie. As your students get to know the characters, you will have many opportunities to make many connections 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.

Do you want to bring a historic period or event to life? Let Hollywood help. The Lost Battalion is rated PG and is a film is a fact-based war drama about an American battalion of over 500 men which gets trapped behind enemy lines in the Argonne Forest in October 1918 France during the closing weeks of World War I. Students will enjoy seeing how the soldiers were outfitted but be shocked by the brutality of trench warfare. They will also become keenly aware of the courage and bravery it took to fight in WWI. 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 27 questions that guide your students through the action. You will have to purchase the movie.

Try this student-centered project to let your students document the importance of education. Here is the backdrop: You and your advertising firm has just been awarded a contract from the Department of Education (State of Michigan) to create a new commercial that will persuade teens to stay in school. It is your goal to be convincing to a teen audience; while at the same time making it tasteful enough to represent the State of Michigan. Producing short videos (for free) 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 relevant to education but you can easily edit in any content to suit your needs. I have included everything you will need to coach your students through the process: specific instructions, examples, and a rubric.

Turn any vocab assignment into an authentic, creative endeavor. Project word cloud incorporates 21st century skills and can be applied to any subject. This quick project will allow you to provide the scaffolding that takes your students from vocab to creative. Be prepared to show off some great student creations!

A wordsort is an organizational strategy that learners will love (view this http://goo.gl/kHJVMD). This literacy building strategy begins with the reading of an article (included) about Globalization. After reading, students are given a number of terms and phrases that must be organized to demonstrate an understanding of the content. They use what they know and the article to sort the words and phrases from general to specific. An answer template is included. The activity ends with students documenting their learning on a pre-designed template (also included). Also included is a brief graphing exercise and an area to summarize what has been learned as a formative assessment. The wordsort activity has everything you will need. This is a great two day lesson and I have also included a brief video tutorial to guide you through the process. To save you more time, an answer template is also part of this package.

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 factors of the American Industrial Revolution. This lesson is conducted in three parts: read prompts/highlight article, revisit prompts to discuss or correct any errors, and assess (ten question quiz). 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, quiz for students, answer key, and a video tutorial demonstrating how the activity is to be conducted. This activity also aligns easily to CCSS.

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.

Are you ready to facilitate a great learning experience regarding culture? This four day activity will scaffold your students from entry level information to higher order application. Students will work through seven mini-activities over the course of four days (50 minute periods). An online sociology resource (textbook) will provide the content that supports this student activity. Students will read, write, answer questions, review data, evaluate topics, and use a resource called NEWSELA. You will need to get familiar with this great free product before you launch this activity (https://newsela.com/). Included with this purchase: Seven Mini-Activities Link to an online sociology textbook Group Signin Sheet Step-by-Step Directions Answer key

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.

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.

A wordsort is a research and organizational technique. This literacy building strategy begins with the reading of content (link included) about social theory. After reading, students need to choose 9 terms or phrases to describe 4 social theories to demonstrate an understanding of the content. They use what they know and the content to organization information from general to specific. The activity ends with students documenting their learning by recording their choices on a pre-designed template (also included) and responding to a writing prompt. Great material for formative assessment. This is a great two day lesson and it also includes a brief video concerning the study of sociology. Answers will be different for each student so an answer key is not part of this package. Included with this purchase: Answer template Video content Directions Link to free online sociology textbook