MrChipsTeaches

Students will rotate through stations with what might appear at first glance to be random artifacts. Each station has story behind it that connects the items to a story. For example, one is from a teenage sleepover where they were playing video games all night, drank a lot of soda and made a mess. You can set this simulation up in your classroom and have students rotate through each area, or, you can buy some paint sticks and string, and set up archaeological “dig sites” outside (see pic below).

Students will begin by using a reading strategy to gather information about the three major philosophies of ancient China: Confucianism, Daoism and Legalism. In order to practice the skill, they will investigate modern day scenarios in order to make educated predictions about how a leader subscribing to each of the philosophies would react in that scenario. They will conclude by planning their ultimate society based on a particular breakdown of the three philosophies and debate the merits of a p

This 12 article set includes articles about: Africa, Egypt, Greece, India, Prehistory and Rome. Students practice their literacy skills by engaging with interesting texts and content related to social studies issues. For example, students read about the Rwandan genocide, then engage in post-reading discussions of why the world sat by. In another article, students learn to challenge text that are presented to them (ex: how Alexander of Macedonia is almost always depicted as "Alexander the Great

The teacher will divide students into three groups, then go through activities that the three branches of the government go through in real life. The basic idea is to either teach or review the roles of each branch by allowing students to simulate the same actions. My classes really enjoy the ability to actually take on roles of senators and representatives, and the result is that you'll see students engaging in productive and educational debate.

Students will engage in a debate to build upon the caste system in ancient and modern India. They will debate if there is a class system in the United States in a similar fashion to the ancient Indian caste system. You can get as involved as you want...this whole lesson can be delivered in a day if you just want a short discussion, or you can include a few days of research and formal debate that will last 3-5 days. Lessons in history are only lessons if we learn from them. Debating the ancient

Lesson summary This lesson will begin with spy music playing and students wondering what you have in store for them. Students will then get into groups or work alone to decipher primary sources and form a story based upon what they see. By the end of class, students should have a written summary of what they believe happened. Each group will then read their summary while the teacher keeps track of correct points...winners receive a prize. The lesson can be followed up with an overview of Cornell

The teacher will provide historical context about Abraham Lincoln and instruction about revisionist history. Students will then examine President Lincoln’s statements about slavery before putting a post-it note on a continuum on your bulletin board. The discussion that ensues or is part of the process will help students judge presidential actions for themselves based upon fact and history rather than revisionist history or emotions.

Included is a text set with two articles, discussion questions, talking points, sample notes strategies and a bibliography. This set includes an article about the controversial life of Alexander of Macedonia. Students study the positives and negatives of his life in order to academically challenge textbooks that list him a "Alexander the Great". Students also learn about Greek Philosophy while participating in thought-provoking post-reading activities. Also available on the following topics as

You will begin by modeling how to closely examine a picture. You can show students how to examine the details, background, colors, etc...in order to gain an understanding of what the picture represents. Students will then examine pictures that deal with ancient Roman gladiator fights. In groups, they will discuss questions that will require depth of thought, inferences and close examination of the sources. At the end of the lesson, students will independently complete a question that ties many o

Lesson summary This lesson will involve students rotating, reading and taking quality research notes about a subject they are currently studying. Students will then use their critical thinking skills to gain more depth and determine for themselves the importance of certain historical events. This particular lesson focuses on the American Revolutionary War, but the skills can be applied to any topic. Rationale for the lesson Reading strategies and social studies have gone together for far longer

Lesson summary This lesson will begin with students brainstorming what it means to be independent in general. They will then see a model from the teacher about how to analyze particular texts. Students will then work in groups to examine exactly what was communicated in the primary source text of the Declaration of Independence. To conclude, students will enter their text in a collaborative Google Document to compare their versions. Rationale for the lesson This lesson will be a rigorous intell

Included is a text set with two articles, discussion questions, talking points, sample notes strategies and a bibliography. This set includes an article about the transitions between early hominids and how each successive species out-survived its predecessor. Students also receive an article about the incredible contributions of ancient Mesopotamia to the world's development. Also available on the following topics as 2-article set or a 12-article set on all topics (Ancient and modern Africa, A

Lesson summary Prior to the lesson, print out the readings, and cover them up with construction paper. I generally tape them up around the room to get students up and moving. Students will then rotate in groups and read the text together. They will then write down a summary to the best of their knowledge without looking at the original source. This process will be repeated a few times, and students will learn how to reword texts on their own to avoid any type of plagiarism. The readings don’t re

Students will act out a skit that helps show four major problems with the Articles of Confederation. The teacher will then either direct instruct or lead some acting in a discussion about the Articles of Confederation. Students will participate in a compromise activity in order to better understand how difficult consensus is to achieve. This lesson is very interactive, even for students who do not feel comfortable acting...you'll likely not have any problem reinforcing why the Articles of Confed

Students will study three groups that moved west in the middle and late 19th century: miners, cowboys/ranchers, Homesteaders. Students will then discuss with other roles, prepare in writing for a group discussion, discuss and then complete a closure activity.

Lesson summary This lesson will begin with a review of information on major early hominids, although it can also be used as an instructional. If you have any musical skills, you’ll begin by playing an acoustic live version of John Denver’s “I’m Sorry”, adapted to fit early humans. If you don’t, never fear! You can just play the original song or have a student perform the song I wrote. You will then model how students can outline their own thoughts in an organized manner. Students will write cond

You’ll begin by modeling some fun stories from your life for your students. It will be a good opportunity to communicate some information for your students to get to know you better. Students will then brainstorm their own stories in groups before putting together an oral history in the tradition of African griots. The story will either be delivered live without any notes or recorded with technology, whichever direction you would like to go. This lesson brings students into an ancient African t

Lesson summary Students will brainstorm and make judgments about people from pop culture as “great” or “not great”. They will then explore the life and actions of Alexander of Macedonia. After viewing a creative model from their teacher (if you feel comfortable doing so since it involves singing), they will explore how to express Alexander as a great or not great leader with their own adjective. Students have complete freedom in how they want to complete the assessment, and I will provide some s

Do you ever ask students to pair up only to see them grudgingly move, or not move at all? If your solution is pairing students up across the aisle, that can be monotonous as well. With the questions below, you’ll have a fun way to get students to find a discussion partner. Will the questions below make amazing partner discussions? No. Will the questions guarantee brilliant responses? No. Will the questions below get students smiling and moving far more quickly across the room to talk to someone

Included is a text set with two articles, discussion questions, talking points, sample notes strategies and a bibliography. This set includes an article about the life of ancient African leader Sundiata Keita, and a modern look at genocide in Rwanda. Students learn about content while practicing effective and productive literacy. Also available on the following topics as 2-article set or a 12-article set on all topics (Ancient and modern Africa, Ancient Greece, Ancient Rome, Ancient Egypt, Anc