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Teaching History Creatively!

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I am on my 26th year of teaching. I am so excited to share my creative student centered experiences with others! I love to rock out the classroom! I have taught everything from Geography, Free Enterprise, English, History and Athletic Coaching. I'm devoted to Teaching Like A Pirate: Bold, Daring, Risk Taking and adventurous! My teaching style is all about building relationships with my students. Students will do anything for you if they know you care about them.

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I am on my 26th year of teaching. I am so excited to share my creative student centered experiences with others! I love to rock out the classroom! I have taught everything from Geography, Free Enterprise, English, History and Athletic Coaching. I'm devoted to Teaching Like A Pirate: Bold, Daring, Risk Taking and adventurous! My teaching style is all about building relationships with my students. Students will do anything for you if they know you care about them.
The War that made America Video Guide Worksheets
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The War that made America Video Guide Worksheets

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Description: "The War That Made America" brings to life a vastly important—but often misunderstood—period of American history, a period that set in motion forces that would culminate in the American Revolution. The dramatic documentary tells the story of the French and Indian War (1754-1763), which began in the wilderness of the Pennsylvania frontier and spread throughout the colonies, into Canada, and ultimately around the world. Narrated and hosted by Graham Greene, the Academy-Award nominated actor for "Dances With Wolves" and an Oneida Indian whose ancestors fought in this war, "The War That Made America" combines a commitment to accuracy with a compelling filmed portrayal of the dangerous world of the 18th-century frontier. A central figure is George Washington, then a brash and ambitious young officer in his twenties hoping to make his reputation in the military, whose blunders actually trigger the war. A primary focus of the series, and a story that has long been distorted or forgotten, is the critical military importance and strategic diplomacy of Native Americans in the conflict between the English and French for the expansion of their colonial empires. It was a war the British won, but the fruit of their victory contained the seeds of the Revolutionary War. This file comes with 5 printable's for 5 segments of the PBS movie.
President James K. Polk in 60 Seconds
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President James K. Polk in 60 Seconds

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James Polk | 60-Second Presidents PBS Video Collection TIME SAVER! Fun, energetic, and entertaining video. You will be surprised about how much information can be packed into this 60 second video. James Polk accomplished a lot more in one term than many presidents accomplish in two. Find out how he delivered on his promise of westward expansion. Includes: 1. Teacher Answer Key 2. Student worksheet with 10 questions (all on 1 piece of paper)
President John Tyler in 60 Seconds
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President John Tyler in 60 Seconds

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John Tyler| 60-Second Presidents PBS Video Collection TIME SAVER! Fun, energetic, and entertaining video. You will be surprised about how much information can be packed into this 60 second video. When President Harrison passed away, John Tyler found himself in the Presidency. See how he made the most of his promotion, from his annexation of Texas to his veto of the national bank. Includes: 1. Teacher Answer Key 2. Student worksheet with 10 questions (all on 1 piece of paper)
Westward Growth Digital Simulation for GOOGLE DRIVE
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Westward Growth Digital Simulation for GOOGLE DRIVE

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This simulation comes with Word document copy and a digital copy for all of you GOOGLE DRIVE users. In this fun Westward Expansion Simulation Students will decide What actions the U.S. should take in these situations: Situation #1: LOUISIANA PURCHASE Situation #2: FLORIDA Situation #3: TEXAS Situation #4: OREGON COUNTRY Situation #5: WAR WITH MEXICO Each Situation will have three choices of answers. Students will explain why they chose their answer. Teacher can reveal answers after each scenario. ~~~~~~~~~~DIGITAL GOOGLE DRIVE INFORMATION~~~~~~~ The digital copy of the simulation puts students in control of their learning. They can self- pace their own game alone or in a group. Each answer space is clickable and fully editable. This Simulation can be completed all online with laptops, tablets, or any other device that supports Google Drive! Students will then complete a chart on lands acquired to form the U.S. **Answer Key is Provided.
Manifest Destiny Learning Stations in Google Drive
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Manifest Destiny Learning Stations in Google Drive

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This awesome digital resource features a link to a set of 6 fully-editable interactive pages on Manifest Destiny. Inside the 6 pages are 3 more links for fully editable learning station docs. Students type directly on the pages and drag and drop information for a variety of engaging, interactive activities! This is a great way to integrate technology into your classroom and can be completed without printing almost any paper! Excellent for: 1. A 1:1 school 2. A trip to the computer lab. 3. A cooperative learning activity much much more******************************************** Topics covered include: Station 1 Editable thought Bubble for the American Progress Painting Station 2 Mexican American War Cause & Effect Drag and Drop Activity Station 3 Immigration to the U.S. (This one can be broken down into a Gallery walk) Station 4: Gold Rush: Student create a MUSICAL PLAYLIST Station 5 Redesign the San Francisco 49ers helmet Station 5B: “Plucked” Cartoon Station 6: Parody Video Station 7: Review Heads Up Game *Teacher Suggestions Page is included. *A word and PDF version is also included.
Alien and Sedition Acts Mini Simulation
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Alien and Sedition Acts Mini Simulation

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I FINALLY found a way to make the alien and sedition acts PERSONAL and interactive with my students! The answer, is this Mini Simulation. It comes with a presentation link that you will use to guide your students through the tough decisions surrounding these acts that President Adams had to make. The attached worksheet will give student space for processing the material. Turn this into a lively discussion with your kids.
Creative Conversations
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Creative Conversations

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Do you want to get your students discussing historical characters with enthusiasm? This is the discussion starter power point that you and your students will love! These discussion questions can be used for any group of historical figures, past or present. Inside/Outside circles are a great format for this. Using todaysmeet.com could add a technology component to your lesson. A worksheet for student processing the content in included.
Causes of the American Revolution Town Hall Meeting
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Causes of the American Revolution Town Hall Meeting

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Let’s get ready to rumble! Students will prepare to get in a heated discussion about the issues surrounding the greatest break-up in history. Students will be prepared to explain why each of these issues were Fair or Unfair to the colonists. After each section of the meeting students will process with questions like this: At this point in time, should American colonists rebel against the British government? If not, what should we do?
Thomas "Two Faced" Jefferson
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Thomas "Two Faced" Jefferson

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The Student Challenge: 1. Draw five pictures of Jefferson’s theories and beliefs on issues before he became president in 1800. 2. Draw five pictures on the opposite side of how he reversed his thinking on his theories and beliefs after assuming the presidency. A sample is included in the first box. A Editable grade rubric is also attached.
Searching for George Washington
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Searching for George Washington

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Save Our History: The Search for George Washington chronicles a contemporary effort to recover a more authentic view of our foremost statesman. On location at Washington’s home at Mount Vernon, this program follows the work of a team of historians, anthropologists, scientists, artists and craftsmen assembled from four continents to accomplish one goal – tore-create an exact image of this legendary founding father. This worksheet has questions that go in the order of the video so students can follow along very easily.
Relay Summary
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Relay Summary

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Get One-Give One or Move On is a strategy is a strategy to help students brainstorm key ideas on a topic/reading to activate prior knowledge and build background knowledge, OR to help students to summarize and synthesize key concepts in reading. This is FUN, ACTIVE, and great for your kinesthetic learners.
The Articles of Confederation Report Card
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The Articles of Confederation Report Card

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You students will enjoy grading the weak government "The Articles of Confederation" or "AOC." Background information starts off this packet. Students will then act as the teacher and investigate and grade this 1st Constitution. Topics for grading are: Raising Taxes Passing Laws: Amending Constitutions Handling National Affairs Handling Foreign Affairs Organizing A Government Handling of the Northwest Territory
Declaration of Independence Ted Talk SketchNotes
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Declaration of Independence Ted Talk SketchNotes

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Print, Push Play, and Learn!!! Students love watching TED Talks! This animated Ted talk on the Declaration of Independence and sketchNotes worksheet is a great alternative to traditional lecture based classes. You can use this to flip the classroom or as a part of the activities that you already do. The Link is at the top of the worksheet. I start and stop this video at each point where notes or fill in the blanks are required on the worksheet. I also use this time to expand the topic or have students discuss the content.
Causes of American Revolution Gallery Walk
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Causes of American Revolution Gallery Walk

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Get your students up and moving around the room to discover the causes of the American Revolution. Students will use the attached worksheet to follow the Power Point Posters that you display around the room. (Also included) Playing music during this activity is a welcome alternative to a quiet classroom for kids! The Power Point Slides that you print into full page posters are colorful, attractive and precise.
Super Branches of Government
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Super Branches of Government

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Students will create a Branches of Government Superheros that reflects each branches "Super Powers." Makes showing what you learned fun, interesting and creative.
Causes of Civil War Recipe Project
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Causes of Civil War Recipe Project

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The purpose of this assignment is to get students to creatively think about the various causes/events leading to the United States Civil War and to evaluate which events they feel were the most significant. Students will write a recipe for the United States Civil War using the causes of the Civil War as ingredients. A Grade Rubric and sample project is included.
Civil War Pick a Project
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Civil War Pick a Project

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Give students choice. This project instruction sheet gives step by step directions for students to choose the level they want to complete. Step 1: Choose and circle one action word Step 2: Choose and circle three interest topics Step 3: Choose and circle one product
7 Principles of the Constitution So You Can Understand Them
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7 Principles of the Constitution So You Can Understand Them

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In this activity, each Principle of the Constitution is broken down into simple and easy to understand terminology. Students create their own drawing of the terms after reading an illustration prompt or idea. Finally, a sample picture for each term acts as an idea generator to help inspire student art work.
George Washington SketchNotes
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George Washington SketchNotes

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Take notes creatively using this SketchNote template. This was created for Disney The American Presidents George Washington Video. The link is included on the worksheet. Quick way to introduce Washington. Students enjoy taking notes with a combination of drawing and writing. Disney presidents videos are highly engaging. What are SketchNotes? SketchNotes are rich visual notes created from a mix of handwriting, drawings, hand-drawn typography, shapes, and visual elements like arrows, boxes, and lines. As educators recognize the importance of student learning styles and the differences between linear and non-linear thinking, a “SketchNote revolution ” is emerging. Gone are the days of teachers scolding students for drawing in the back of the classroom—now experts know that doodlers gain a 29 percent increase in information retention. Students can stop and pause the video or the teacher can lead, pausing at the moments that are prompted by the SketchNotes. Print and Play....easy and engaging!