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!

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!

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.

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.

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.

Have your students follow the action during World War II as the Allies try to regain control of Europe! This activity will engage your students with four maps that describes the fighting from North Africa to Italy to France. It also includes a YouTube clip to Saving Private Ryan (hitting the beaches) to build student interest. The printable worksheet is set up so students can record their findings on the handout or can respond via a bubble answer template to 10 questions. It is a great activity that emphasizes map skills while learning about history.

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.

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 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.

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.

Do you want to bring a historic period or event to life? Let Hollywood help. Avalon is rated PG and is a great film that follows the story of immigrant Sam Krichinsky from his arrival in America (1914) to the post World War II era. Students will enjoy seeing the style of dress, the cars, trollies, the excitement of the first televisions, and the migration of people out of the cities and into the suburbs. 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 27 questions that guide your students through the action. You will have to purchase the movie.

Since I am a history nut, it is named The Square Deal. Do you remember what president used this slogan? Like other flipped content, The Square Deal activity is done outside of class. The Square Deal is also used to differentiate instruction in any class with any content. It gives students many choices (12) to demonstrate what they have learned and prepares them with the valuable background knowledge necessary to conquer the higher level tasks you will coach them through in class. There is a choice that touches upon each of the documented intelligences in multiple intelligence research and brain-based learning. Students enjoy the independence afforded to them and I love to maximize the number of opportunities for student each student to succeed. Take a moment to view the preview. This activity is all inclusive! You will only have to make copies and assign.

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.

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 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.

Are you teaching about World War II? Do you need a resource to help students explore the Japanese American Internment? 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.

Have your students follow the action as World War I rages throughout Europe! This activity will engage your students with an interactive map (linked to web) that describes the fighting from the beginning of the conflict, to the end. The printable worksheet is set up so students can record their findings.

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.