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Teaching The New Jim Crow - Tolerance.org
Grades
9 to 12
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Teach the lessons of race and justice in society using the book, The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness, as a resource. The ten lesson unit ...more
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Teach the lessons of race and justice in society using the book, The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness, as a resource. The ten lesson unit includes a Teacher's Guide that provides chronological lessons, activities, and audiovisual resources appropriate for Social Studies, Language Arts, and American History courses. All materials align with Common Core Standards. Additional information found on this site includes a conversation with the book's author, Michelle Alexander, and two webinars that discuss the book and suggestions to support using the book in high school classrooms.
In the Classroom
Incorporate this free unit as a guide to teaching the sensitive topics of race and justice with or without using the novel. As you begin your unit, use AnswerGarden, reviewed here, as an anonymous brainstorming and response tool. Use AnswerGarden by forming open-ended questions such as "The hard part of talking about racism is..." or "The beneficial part of talking about racism is..." as a way to elicit student ideas without students being concerned about sharing ideas orally with their peers. Use AnswerGarden in various ways throughout the unit to gauge student ideas and responses to lesson topics. All of the lessons include essential questions and big ideas, use Gravity, reviewed here as a collaborative tool to encourage student conversations through Gravity's video response options. Extend learning using podcasts as a format for students to share their learning about race and our justice system. For example, PodcastGenerator, reviewed here, for students to create podcasts to discuss different components of race relations and the justice system.You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
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Becoming Us - National Museum of American History
Grades
8 to 12
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Becoming Us is a resource for high school teachers that teaches immigration and migration through five basic themes. Investigate the themes of borderlands, education, policy, belonging,...more
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Becoming Us is a resource for high school teachers that teaches immigration and migration through five basic themes. Investigate the themes of borderlands, education, policy, belonging, and resistance. Also, each unit includes subsets using case studies as a basis for a lesson. Lessons include correlation to Common Core English Language Arts and Literacy Standards and a complete lesson guide available to download as a PDF document. Be sure to browse through all of the site's resources for supplemental information, including Deliberation Guides and an annotated timeline with links to all of the case studies available on the site.
In the Classroom
Incorporate the free resources found on the site to teach immigration and migration accurately and inclusively. Many of the activities connect to items found at the Smithsonian Learning Lab, reviewed here, that features digital resources from the Smithsonian Museum, the National Zoo, and several other major research centers. Include these lessons in US History, government, or current events lessons. As students gather information during the provided activities, use a collaborative bookmarking tool like Raindrop.io, reviewed here. Raindrop.io provides real-time collaboration for teams along with the ability to add notes to share with peers. Engage students in the learning process by creating and sharing infographics using Canva Infographic Maker, reviewed here. Ask student teams to create infographics sharing different portions of the information within a lesson. For example, when using the education resources, have a student group create infographics depicting facts about the fight for desegregation, another share facts about busing, and another with re-segregation factions and images.
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US Presidential Elections and Activities - GrowingVoters. org
Grades
K to 12
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Find virtual and classroom activities for voting and campaigning for all grade levels at GrowingVoters.org. Begin your selection by scrolling down the page and choosing from the different...more
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Find virtual and classroom activities for voting and campaigning for all grade levels at GrowingVoters.org. Begin your selection by scrolling down the page and choosing from the different grade levels bands beginning with elementary school on up through college-level assignments and exercises. The activities include a variety of learning experiences, such as creating E-trading cards and producing candidate commercials. Click on any activity to view the PDF file that includes the objectives, procedures, and rubrics for evaluation. Many activities also include the incorporation of technology by suggesting resources.
In the Classroom
Be sure to see the many free lessons and activities shared on this site for use as a complete civics and election unit or as a supplement to your current curriculum. For polling activities, consider the use of online polling tools such as Dotstorming, reviewed here, or Poll Everywhere, reviewed here, as quick polling options. Select activities from the site to use with other learning tools such as videos, online articles, and documents to create a blended learning activity using ActivelyLearn, reviewed here. Have students create campaign posters and flyers using PhotoCollage, reviewed here, or Canva Edu, reviewed here, using the templates provided or created from scratch. Engage students in the electoral experience by providing options for them to promote a personal platform or a fictionalized candidate using Adobe Creative Cloud Express for Education, reviewed here. Adobe Express allows inclusion of student-created videos and artwork along with student persuasive writing examples.
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OK2Ask: Increase Student Achievement and Engagement in Your Classroom with Simulations - TeachersFirst
Grades
1 to 12
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This recording of an OK2Ask online professional learning session is from May 2020. You can register and immediately view the archive of the session.
The authentic nature...more
The authentic nature...more
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This recording of an OK2Ask online professional learning session is from May 2020. You can register and immediately view the archive of the session.
The authentic nature of simulations can be highly motivating for even your hardest to reach students. When used properly, instructional simulations can empower student learning, helping students to set goals, seek feedback, and demonstrate what they have learned. Learn to choose simulations that model the relationships between concepts studied. In this session, we will discuss how to best use simulations in the classroom to increase student achievement, allow students to reflect on what they have learned, and transfer their knowledge to new problems and situations. As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Understand the value of using simulations in the classroom; 2. Explore instructional simulations; and 3. Plan for the use of simulations in the instructional setting. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.
The authentic nature of simulations can be highly motivating for even your hardest to reach students. When used properly, instructional simulations can empower student learning, helping students to set goals, seek feedback, and demonstrate what they have learned. Learn to choose simulations that model the relationships between concepts studied. In this session, we will discuss how to best use simulations in the classroom to increase student achievement, allow students to reflect on what they have learned, and transfer their knowledge to new problems and situations. As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Understand the value of using simulations in the classroom; 2. Explore instructional simulations; and 3. Plan for the use of simulations in the instructional setting. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.
In the Classroom
The archive of this teacher-friendly, hands-on webinar will empower and inspire you to use learning technology in the classroom and for professional productivity. As appropriate, specific classroom examples and ideas have been shared. View the session with a few of your teaching colleagues to find and share new ideas. Find additional information and links to tools at the session resource page. Learn more about OK2Ask and upcoming sessions here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Native American Heritage Month - Described and Captioned Media Program
Grades
K to 12
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Each November, we celebrate American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month. This site provides a series of videos for students to learn about the history and stories of Native Americans....more
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Each November, we celebrate American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month. This site provides a series of videos for students to learn about the history and stories of Native Americans. The website features five video series, broken into the categories of A History of Native American Achievement, Native American Culture, Native American Folklore, Native American History, and Celebrate Native American Educators. Each video includes suggested grade level use and links to content standards. Most videos are available as a preview, register for your free account to view videos in full.
In the Classroom
Include these videos as part of your studies of American Indians and their heritage. Engage students by making the videos interactive using Edpuzzle, reviewed here, to add both teacher and student comments. Use Google My Maps, reviewed here, for extending learning when students create virtual field trips sharing locations and information found during their research of American Indians. Have students create interactive timelines using Timeline Infographic Templates, reviewed here, for younger students, or Timeline JS, reviewed here, for older students who can include music, photos, videos, maps, comments, and more.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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OK2Ask: 3 Cool Tools for Social Studies - TeachersFirst
Grades
5 to 12
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This recording of an OK2Ask online professional learning session is from February 2020. You can register and immediately view the archive of the session.
Explore, compare,...more
Explore, compare,...more
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This recording of an OK2Ask online professional learning session is from February 2020. You can register and immediately view the archive of the session.
Explore, compare, and contrast three different online tools designed to engage students in grades 5 - 12 in meaningful civics and historical learning. Participants will learn about the features of these three free tools and then explore ways to use them in upper elementary through high school classrooms. Pairing these tools with pedagogically sound instructional strategies will provide a foundation on which to build critical thinking skills. Participants will: 1. Understand how the use of simulations and primary sources can convey difficult material in a way that's interesting and accessible; 2. Explore three free educational tools to support social studies instruction in grades 5-12; and 3. Plan for the use of one of the three tools in the educational setting. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.
Explore, compare, and contrast three different online tools designed to engage students in grades 5 - 12 in meaningful civics and historical learning. Participants will learn about the features of these three free tools and then explore ways to use them in upper elementary through high school classrooms. Pairing these tools with pedagogically sound instructional strategies will provide a foundation on which to build critical thinking skills. Participants will: 1. Understand how the use of simulations and primary sources can convey difficult material in a way that's interesting and accessible; 2. Explore three free educational tools to support social studies instruction in grades 5-12; and 3. Plan for the use of one of the three tools in the educational setting. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.
In the Classroom
The archive of this teacher-friendly, hands-on webinar will empower and inspire you to use learning technology in the classroom and for professional productivity. As appropriate, specific classroom examples and ideas have been shared. View the session with a few of your teaching colleagues to find and share new ideas. Find additional information and links to tools at the session resource page. Learn more about OK2Ask and upcoming sessions here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Reading Trek: March, Book One - TeachersFirst
Grades
7 to 12
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TeachersFirst Reading Treks create a virtual field trip of resources about a piece of literature or text using the My Maps feature of Google Maps. This Reading Trek provides inspiration...more
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TeachersFirst Reading Treks create a virtual field trip of resources about a piece of literature or text using the My Maps feature of Google Maps. This Reading Trek provides inspiration and suggestions for sharing the autobiography of Congressman John Lewis who as a student met Martin Luther King, was instrumental in the birth of the Nashville Student Movement and their "lunch counter sit-ins." View the robust instructional guide for suggestions to use with students in grades 7-12. Content correlates to Common Core Standards, ISTE Student Standards, and National Curriculum Standards for Social Studies. Find the entire selection of Reading Treks here.
In the Classroom
Using the Reading Trek, explore the periods of the 1930s and 1960s using maps and other non-fiction resources. Engage students and use an online organization tool like Padlet, reviewed here, to collect and share resources with students. Organize information within the Padlet using columns to sort content by decade. Be sure to allow comments to encourage student discussion and collaboration. Enhance learning by asking students to create infographics using Canva Infographic Maker, reviewed here. Use the infographics as an alternative to a book report and ask students to share important places, dates, and historical characters to tell the story of John Lewis.
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OK2Ask: Data and Charts and Graphs, Oh My! Let Google Tools Be Your Guide - TeachersFirst
Grades
2 to 12
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This recording of an OK2Ask online professional learning session is from February 2020. You can register and immediately view the archive of the session.
Humans respond...more
Humans respond...more
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This recording of an OK2Ask online professional learning session is from February 2020. You can register and immediately view the archive of the session.
Humans respond to and process visual data better than any other type of data. Whether students are learning to collect, organize, graph, or interpret data, this webinar offers proven tools and strategies that assist learners in developing and applying those skills. Together we will explore and plan for the use of forms to collect data, web resources to access data, spreadsheets to manipulate and graph data, and Google MyMaps to visualize data. Students from beginner to advanced can use these tools to visualize and connect math, science, and social studies concepts to concrete, real-world applications. Let's get students excited about learning and help them incorporate complex data literacy into their world view. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels. Participants will: 1. Understand how to use data visualization in the classroom; 2. Explore digital tools that will assist students with data visualization projects; and 3. Plan for the use of data visualization in the classroom. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.
Humans respond to and process visual data better than any other type of data. Whether students are learning to collect, organize, graph, or interpret data, this webinar offers proven tools and strategies that assist learners in developing and applying those skills. Together we will explore and plan for the use of forms to collect data, web resources to access data, spreadsheets to manipulate and graph data, and Google MyMaps to visualize data. Students from beginner to advanced can use these tools to visualize and connect math, science, and social studies concepts to concrete, real-world applications. Let's get students excited about learning and help them incorporate complex data literacy into their world view. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels. Participants will: 1. Understand how to use data visualization in the classroom; 2. Explore digital tools that will assist students with data visualization projects; and 3. Plan for the use of data visualization in the classroom. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.
In the Classroom
The archive of this teacher-friendly, hands-on webinar will empower and inspire you to use learning technology in the classroom and for professional productivity. As appropriate, specific classroom examples and ideas have been shared. View the session with a few of your teaching colleagues to find and share new ideas. Find additional information and links to tools at the session resource page. Learn more about OK2Ask and upcoming sessions here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Under Advisement: Ohio Supreme Court Cases On Demand - The Supreme Court of Ohio & The Ohio Judicial System
Grades
9 to 12
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Take an in-depth look at civil and criminal cases tried and decided by the Ohio Supreme Court using these two free lessons. Both lessons align with Ohio's Learning Standards for ...more
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Take an in-depth look at civil and criminal cases tried and decided by the Ohio Supreme Court using these two free lessons. Both lessons align with Ohio's Learning Standards for the High School American Government Curriculum and provide a real-world look into the court system and legal process. Email the resources link to receive the password to access and download the educator and student resource guides; typically requests are granted within an hour during business hours. If you don't receive the information, check your spam folder.
In the Classroom
Although this site is aligned to Ohio Learning Standards, it is useful for any classroom studying civil and criminal cases. Download the free materials to use when learning about branches of government. Before completing the lessons within each of the cases, introduce the topic to students and ask them to predict the outcome using a simple polling tool like Poll Everywhere, reviewed here. As students become familiar with the Ohio court system, ask them to research the courts in your state and compare them using a Venn Diagram tool like the one found at Class Tools, reviewed here. Consider asking a local attorney or judge to visit your classroom to discuss the specifics of each case and how the law is interpreted within the state courts.
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Inquiries Archive - C3 Teachers
Grades
K to 12
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This archive of inquiry activities features the use of the C3 Inquiry Arc that identifies social studies habits of mind, disciplinary tools, and concepts required to prepare students...more
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This archive of inquiry activities features the use of the C3 Inquiry Arc that identifies social studies habits of mind, disciplinary tools, and concepts required to prepare students for college and everyday life. Use the drop-down boxes to filter content by grade level, hub, or topic. Although created with New York State curriculum in mind, the content applies to learners in all locations. Inquiries include a compelling question, along with supporting tasks and extensions. Download each inquiry in PDF or DOC format with all required teaching activities and support materials.
In the Classroom
Discover the many free social studies materials on this site to enhance your current lessons. Use the materials as a model to insert inquiry learning into any teaching activity. As you use teaching materials from this site, take advantage of technology to engage and extend learning. Use a teacher utility tool like Actively Learn, reviewed here, to build interactive lessons with text and video while receiving real-time assessments as students complete activities. Extend learning by asking students to create and share information about the materials learned. Provide a variety of multimedia options for students to choose from including ToonyTool, reviewed here, for creating cartoons or Minecraft Education Edition, reviewed here, to create their own learning game. Take advantage of the many ideas for implementing rubrics for assessment along with examples and online tools at TeachersFirst Rubrics to the Rescue here, as a guide for assessing student multimedia projects.
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Open Course Library - Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges
Grades
10 to 12
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Open Course Library is an impressive collection of free, downloadable course materials. Materials include syllabi, activities, readings, assessments, and more. The course topics cover...more
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Open Course Library is an impressive collection of free, downloadable course materials. Materials include syllabi, activities, readings, assessments, and more. The course topics cover a variety of content in all subject areas. Use the search feature to narrow down available information. Most links lead to course information found on shareable Google Documents.
In the Classroom
Use these excellent free course materials in a variety of ways. Share courses with students with specific career interests not covered by traditional curriculums such as aerospace or anthropology. Provide students the opportunity to participate in college-level learning experiences without risk by using materials found in the courses on the site. These courses are perfect for use with gifted students to offer them content at a level that challenges them. As students learn from the information found in the courses on this site, ask them to reflect and share their learning through a digital portfolio created with Pathbrite, reviewed here. Students can even include their digital portfolio as part of their college application process at many universities.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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LibreTexts - LibreTexts
Grades
10 to 12
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LibreTexts is an open educational resource (OER) for finding and sharing textbooks, textmaps, and libretexts. The site currently covers twelve college disciplines, from chemistry to...more
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LibreTexts is an open educational resource (OER) for finding and sharing textbooks, textmaps, and libretexts. The site currently covers twelve college disciplines, from chemistry to the humanities. Advanced features within the books include embedded multimedia, embedded code, and the ability to use Hypothesis, reviewed here, as a collaborative digital annotation tool within texts. Choose the Explore the Libraries option to find material by subject. Most subjects include links to texts, course shells (teaching modules from different institutions), and homework examples.
In the Classroom
LibreTexts is a bonanza for AP and teachers of gifted students. Take advantage of the free texts, course outlines, and homework resources to differentiate instruction and provide lessons for advanced students. Choose resources from LibreTexts for use in any classroom to supplement current materials. As part of career-planning activities, ask students to browse through topics that interest them. Encourage students to collaborate with others with similar career interests, both in the classroom and globally. Extend learning by suggesting that students participate in Ted-Ed Clubs, reviewed here. These Clubs allow participants to share in global meetings with peers that have a common interest. As students learn more about their chosen field, encourage them to interact with members of your community to ask questions and perhaps job shadow as a way to understand the career through personal experience. If using course materials and textbooks found on LibreTexts, this is the perfect opportunity for students to ask clarifying questions from their mentor. Enhance learning by making students the experts. Ask them to present their career findings using a multimedia tool like Sway, reviewed here, to share the information learned with peers.
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Constitutional Rights - Constitution Center
Grades
7 to 12
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Explore the rights the United States shares with other countries around the world with this interactive from the Constitution Center. Begin by selecting a constitutional right from...more
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Explore the rights the United States shares with other countries around the world with this interactive from the Constitution Center. Begin by selecting a constitutional right from the list next to the globe to highlight the countries that also include that right for their citizens. Select any highlighted country to compare their version with the U.S. In addition to sharing the text from each country, this interactive includes the percentage of text with content that matches between the two chosen countries.
In the Classroom
Include this interactive with any lessons on constitutional rights or when studying different nations. Create a Padlet, reviewed here, for your class to add and comment on constitutional rights around the world. Create columns on your Padlet by country or specific rights, then enhance learning by asking students to share information and articles detailing information on that right. Use an online news site like World News, reviewed here, for students to find news from around the world and search by regions. Extend learning by challenging computer-savvy students to create a game using Scratch, reviewed here, that takes players around the world to learn about rights and freedoms found in different nations. Ask other students to create podcasts discussing current events and freedoms from around the world. Buzzsprout, reviewed here, is an excellent podcast creation tool and includes features for adding links and lists to shows, and allows users to schedule podcast releases for specific dates and times.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Global Youth Perspectives - Global Oneness Project
Grades
K to 12
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This collection from the Global Oneness Project includes a series of lessons based on stories of youth around the world, ranging from preschoolers to 12th grade. The films and images...more
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This collection from the Global Oneness Project includes a series of lessons based on stories of youth around the world, ranging from preschoolers to 12th grade. The films and images provide perspectives on the daily lives of the featured youth, along with their future hopes. Search this site to find photos, articles, and videos used to explore various issues spanning the world. Each lesson includes a correlation to National Teaching Standards and additional resources for exploration. Registration on the site isn't required to access the lessons; however, it allows you to add materials to an account as favorites to find easily. Sign up for the newsletter to receive more free lesson plans, stories, videos, and more to go along with spreading cultural awareness.
In the Classroom
Utilize these free lesson ideas and videos to incorporate into any lessons on tolerance, empathy, culture, and to bring a personal touch to learning about nations around the world. Consider using the embed code found in each video and add the video to your class website for students to view at home before your lesson. Ask students to provide a short response to the video on an online bulletin board like Pinside, reviewed here, then use these responses to guide your lesson. The following ideas lend themselves to using this resource for project-based learning or blended learning: At the start of students' ongoing research, share How to Research: Ultimate Guide, reviewed here. Enhance learning by using information learned to create infographics with Canva Infographic Maker, reviewed here. Instead of a typical report or assessment at the end of your unit extend students' learning by having them use Odyssey, reviewed here to build a virtual field trip to tell the story of students in other cultures. Include links to articles, videos, student-created infographics, and more.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Race to Ratify - iCivics
Grades
5 to 12
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Can you be a ratification #influencer? That is the goal of this game where players land back in time to the year 1787 and fight to ratify the newly proposed ...more
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Can you be a ratification #influencer? That is the goal of this game where players land back in time to the year 1787 and fight to ratify the newly proposed Constitution using the social media of the time - pamphlets. Select from two different game modes - historical and free play. Talk with friends and dissenters as you travel across the 13 states to hear different opinions and attempt to influence others to your point of view. Earn tokens along the way to use in interviews and pamphlets. Although login and registration are available on the site, they aren't necessary to play the game. The educator login gives access to the extension pack that provides additional context and materials for using the game in classrooms.
In the Classroom
Demonstrate the basic concepts of the challenge on your interactive whiteboard or projector. Then allow students to play on their own on the whiteboard or classroom computers, keeping a log of their actions and results. Enhance learning by having students share interactions from the game in comic form using ToonyTool, reviewed here. Ask students to use ToonyTool to create a conversation with the game's character trying to persuade an anti-Federalist or another opponent on the virtues of the Constitution. Use the game as inspiration for students to extend their learning by creating their own history game using Scratch, reviewed here. For ideas and inspiration, use the search feature in Scratch to find examples of history games created by other users.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Teaching with Primary Sources - Almetria Vaba
Grades
4 to 12
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Discover how to use PBS Learning Media's primary source library through three activities shared on Teaching with Primary Sources. Topics include an interactive scrapbook of the Seattle...more
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Discover how to use PBS Learning Media's primary source library through three activities shared on Teaching with Primary Sources. Topics include an interactive scrapbook of the Seattle World Fair, an investigation of presidential decisions using documents from the Presidential Library, and exploring the Civil Rights Movement using Library of Congress sources. Each activity includes correlations to National Standards. View state standards after creating your free account.
In the Classroom
Take advantage of these free investigations to incorporate into your current lessons or as a starting point to introduce the use of primary sources. Consider using the PBS activities as an alternative to a typical research paper by taking advantage of technology tools to enhance learning. Have students create a bibliography of sources using Google Docs or Microsoft Word. Share a citation tool such as Cite This For Me, reviewed here, for students to use when citing and creating bibliographies of online documents. Encourage students to collaborate and discuss primary sources using Fiskkit, reviewed here. Copy the URL of an online resource into Fiskkit and share with students. Students then click on portions of the article to highlight and discuss relevant information found. Encourage students to delve further into any topic using Ted-Ed Clubs, reviewed here. This site allows you to create clubs with up to 50 members. Members participate in up to 13 sessions based on TED Talks by collaborating and discussing topics of interest.
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Advise the President - National Archives
Grades
8 to 12
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Five past presidents need your help with making serious decisions. Travel back in time to use the deliberation process to become a presidential advisor and provide information about...more
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Five past presidents need your help with making serious decisions. Travel back in time to use the deliberation process to become a presidential advisor and provide information about your chosen best option. Each question includes a top-secret information guide, including background information and a variety of options. The end of the booklet, to be read after discussions, tells the story of the final decision made by each president. Each topic also includes a moderator's guide to facilitate discussion and review of the information and options available.
In the Classroom
Take advantage of these free resources to stimulate discussion on events in recent American history. These booklets are also useful in English/Language Arts lessons to teach students how to use information to support their opinion. Before beginning discussions, poll students to find out their first thoughts on possible options provided within each activity using Dotstorming, reviewed here,to enhance classroom technology. Then revisit their answers upon completion of all activities. As you work through the lesson, ask students to modify their technology use and create an infographic using Canva, reviewed here, to share an overview of the problem and possible options. As a final project, ask students to record podcasts using Anchor, reviewed here, to recreate their chosen dilemma and share information used in their decision-making process.
This resource requires PDF reader software like Adobe Acrobat.
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Digital Civics Toolkit - MacArthur Research Network
Grades
8 to 12
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The Digital Civics Toolkit contains five high-quality modules and resources for teaching civic potentials of digital life. Topics include Participate, Investigate, Dialogue, Voice,...more
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The Digital Civics Toolkit contains five high-quality modules and resources for teaching civic potentials of digital life. Topics include Participate, Investigate, Dialogue, Voice, and Action. Each module consists of a conversation starter with ideas for discussion questions, activity ideas, extension activities, some have a video, and closing reflections. Each module provides background resources for educators. If your school blocks YouTube be sure to look at alternatives for sharing the conversation starters and other videos on classroom computers.
In the Classroom
Save yourself some time, and use these excellent free modules on this site during online safety lessons. Share this site with your school's counselor for use during digital awareness activities. Instead of using paper and pencil to record ideas during brainstorming sessions, use an online bulletin board like Padlet, reviewed here, to organize and record student responses. Padlet offers tools for participants to share links and add comments to posts. As students develop responses to prompts, replace paper and pencil and ask them to create simple web pages to share their ideas and include support for their position using a simple webpage creation tool like Jimdo, reviewed here. Add a link to each student or group's web pages onto your class website to share the variety of ideas and resources shared by the class. Enhance learning and use Acast, reviewed here, to create podcasts featuring student's sharing tips for being digitally aware and share with your school community.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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The Top 6 Population Migrations in American History - HomeArea.com
Grades
7 to 12
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This interesting site features a look at major population changes in the United States from 1790 through 2010. Begin with the big picture, an animated image featuring population change...more
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This interesting site features a look at major population changes in the United States from 1790 through 2010. Begin with the big picture, an animated image featuring population change per square mile over time. Scroll down through the site for additional maps featuring populations changes due to the Gold Rush and railroads, the Civil War, and America's infatuation with cars among others. Scroll further down to choose from links to maps by individual decades, regional population maps, and additional facts and data of different counties throughout the U.S.
In the Classroom
Use this site for many different purposes in history and geography classrooms. Data found on these maps only go up through 2010, ask students to research data through the current year. Create and annotate your own charts using ChartAccent, reviewed here, to demonstrate population changes in your state or community. Take advantage of a large amount of data and information found on this site to use as a starting point for student research projects. Ask them to transform their learning by creating and presenting their information through a multimedia platform such as eStory, reviewed here. Use this tool to add texts, images, maps, and more to tell the story of changes over time within a community.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Americans - Smithsonian Institution
Grades
6 to 12
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Take a virtual field trip to the National Museum of the American Indian Americans exhibit that features the American Indian identity since before the birth of the United States. Click...more
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Take a virtual field trip to the National Museum of the American Indian Americans exhibit that features the American Indian identity since before the birth of the United States. Click on gallery images to read and learn more about the artifacts shared including coins, dolls, posters, and much more. Additional links take viewers to videos and displays telling the story of Thanksgiving, Queen of America (Pocahontas), The Removal Act, and The Indians Win.
In the Classroom
Replace some of your current written Native America resources with the genuine artifacts and stories available for viewing on this site. Introduce the site to students on your interactive whiteboard to demonstrate the different features available and how to find them. After students have time to explore, create groups to do in-depth research within the four different featured areas. Create a Padlet, reviewed here, with four columns for students to share web and video resources found during their research. Instead of written or oral presentations, ask student groups to create quizzes for their classmates using a quiz-creation tool like Baamboozle, reviewed here. Baamboozle is a quick and easy resource for creating and sharing quizzes for teams of two. As a final project, transform student learning by using Book Creator, reviewed here, to create class books sharing information about Native Americans. Book Creator is a digital book creation site offering the ability to add images, text, video, and more. Be sure to share student-created books on your class website or blog after publication.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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