This is a lesson and general outline of questions that could be used to analyze any news article, but was primarily used for our classes copies of Upfront Magazine. They were primarily used for social studies and law classes. The students according to the lesson would then have a Jigsaw activity in which they would present their news topic to the other groups.
3rd - 12th
Criminal Justice - Law, Government, Social Studies
This resource is a short play for a World History class about a meeting between the philosophers, Confucius and Socrates. It is followed by discussion questions examining content and a final analysis on which philosopher they would most want as a teacher. Plays like this on World History have always been a fun go to for me when teaching and the kids seem to really enjoy them. You (the teacher) are brought up in the script, so don't forget to add your name to the play.
Simple project for students to examine artifacts from the Renaissance. Very adaptable to suit not only other Renaissance topics, but other history topics as well. Students are given a handout with a picture of the artifact and a series of questions They are then directed to research a specific artifact, which then can be collected graded and added to a bulletin board on the topic. A basic rubric is included.
5th - 10th
Other (Social Studies), Social Studies, World History
Students explore and analyze the impacts of historical figures in this simple and editable handout. Names can be changed to give students a thematic overview of the people you would like them to study.
Students pair up or in threes to address a central statement from the lesson giving their own thoughts and sharing them with the other members of the groups. Can be used for most lessons and includes a self assessment.
Students are posed a statement in which place their mark on a continuum between strongly agree and strongly disagree. They then write out the reasons for their response and trade papers with two other students from class. Once two other opinions have been collected, they give their own final answer and self assess. This is a short easy exercise to explore most central themes of any lesson.
This form is to help teachers get to know their students better on that first day. It can be collected and added to the students file and or shared out in class.