Fake News (Circular Reporting: How False News Spreads)
By Beth Hammett
Have you ever wondered how fake news makes such big headlines? Circular reporting, or false confirmation, is the term used to show how information spreads and becomes truth. This active learning, critical thinking, visual lesson plan and presentation introduces students to how we believe, and how false news spreads, as well as introduces how to define research sources. Students learn about primary, secondary, and tertiary sources for research and writing. Contains upper level current events content; use with appropriate ages and grades. Activities and Lesson Plan Includes: Teacher Lesson Plans with Step-by-Step Discussion Guide Evaluating Valid Information (Dr. Jeremy Dean) Class Poll: Gullible or Skeptical? False Advertisement by April Uno about Phillip Morris (Marijuana) Descartes and Spinoza 17th Century Debate on How We Believe Daniel Gilbert's 1993 Robbery Study Define: Circular Reporting and False Confirmation How False Information is Circulated 1994 Microsoft Hoax Benghazi and False Reporting Examples of False Information Reported as Truth How to Avoid Circular Reporting Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary Sources (with labeling activity) Re-evaluating Beliefs and Class Poll Discussion Questions on Citing Sources and Social Media Optional Activities: Classic Telephone Game, Class Debate and Jury Trial, Evaluating Websites Excellent for teaching fact-based information, citing sources, propaganda in the news, journalism reporting, beliefs/ethics/morals, AP courses, Dual Credit, Philosophy. Lots of engaging, critical thinking activities for debates and discussions. Meets CCSS ELA.
Scholarly Research Sources (Research and Writing)
By Beth Hammett
Do your students need help defining,understanding, and identifying academic, scholarly research sources? This 16 page easy-to-follow lesson includes:
Discussion/Reflection on where students search for sources
What is scholarly research? (An Overview)
Table of Other Kinds of Sources: Popular, Trade, News & Opinion
Activity for Kinds of Resources
Types of Research Resources: Primary, Secondary, Tertiary
Activity for Types of Research Resources
Where to Locate Scholarly Research
How to Know if Your Research can be Used
Using Wikipedia--Yes or No?
Evaluating Wikipedia Bibliographies
Research Sources Checklist
Great for learning how to categorize and define scholarly research sources! Use with upper level, AP, dual credit, homeschool, college level students, and flipped classrooms.
Shakespeare: Brutus' Speech (Julius Caesar) Writing Activity
By Beth Hammett
Teach analysis and audience through an interactive interpretation of Brutus' Speech from Julius Caesar. Students will bring the speech up-to-date using slang and time period words. Included are: student examples extra resources list scoring rubric directions with materials list Students will "get the meaning" with this easy-to-teach, fun analysis assignment. Meets standard state ELA guidelines and CCSS.
By Beth Hammett
Help students understand literary criticism and what it is and is not. Includes: group/individual activity to define literary criticism examples of literary criticism journals compare and contract of "critic" definitions links to literary criticism journals where not to find literary criticism types and definitions of literary criticism Simple overview of literary criticism and where to find proper information for academic essays.
Pearl Harbor (History) Activities
By Beth Hammett
Do students need help understanding cause and effect? These cause and effect activities offer reinforcement and practice to produce great student essays.Step-by-step and easy-to-follow cause and effect activities include: Relationship Word Chart Fill-in-the-Blank Pearl Harbor Essay Activity 2 Fill-in-the Blank Organizers for Pearl Harbor 2 Cause and Effect Graphic Organizers for Generic History Writing 1 Pearl Harbor Cause & Effect Essay Assignments with Pre-writing 1 Generic History Cause & Effect Essay Assignment/Pre-writing Meets state and federal guidelines for ELA; meets state history guidelines. Help students easily understand cause and effect with this Pearl Harbor/generic history packet with visual graphic organizers. Use for test preparation and standardized test practice.
By Beth Hammett
Common Core approach to Persuasive writing using step-by-step instructions for students. Includes 20 pages of: Definition Persuasive vs. Argumentative Whole/small group and individual activities Ethical Writers Examples of Thesis/Topic Sentences/Details/Facts... Using Figurative Language Outlines Peer Workshopping Persuasive Scoring Rubric (Revision friendly to master skills) Extra Resources: video presentations, handouts, and ESL links Easy to follow and use with students in grades 4 and up. Meets CCSS Opinion and Argument Writing requirements.
By Beth Hammett
Students learn to write a thesis statement with this interactive presentation. Comes with: Handouts Examples Individual and group writing activities Peer Workshopping Answer Key Supplemental Resources Easy to understand, implement, and use as introduction, reinforcement, or assessment. Meets CCSS.
By Beth Hammett
Can you persuade your group members to let you have the serum to survive the plague? Students use higher level critical thinking skills to convince, debate, persuade, and outwit others to save their lives! 35 pages that includes: Directions Differentiated Project Ideas 24 male avatars 24 female avators Character traits Character flaws Character Reflection Sheet Extra Resources Students choose their avatars, fill out character sheets traits and flaws, and use their bargaining skills to try to survive the deadly plague! Includes whole group option, as well, and other activities for expository writings, oral presentations, and more... Excellent for use in ELA, SS/History,Science, and Life Skills classes. Helpful with units covering character studies, life skills, the Middle Ages, epidemics, major events in history, and more. Meets CCSS.
Writing S.O.A.P: Aristotles 5+ Paragraph Persuasive Essay
By Beth Hammett
Based on Ray Salazaar's Article, "If You Teach the 5-Paragraph Essay--Stop It", uses College Board and Common Core Standards to guide students through building a well-written persuasive essay. Whether 5-paragraphs or 50-pages,the format works for fact or research based papers. Includes Chart Checklist Definitions Writing Guides Examples Peer workshopping component Extra Resources: Links to Sample Essays... 16 interactive slides to guide students through the research writing process: thesis writing, working with and using background information, evidence supported facts/research, writing an effective conclusion. Helps build critical thinking and writing skills. Can be used with G/T, Pre-AP, AP, developmental/entry college level courses. Everything needed to produce a well-written, researched essay.
Plagiarism Cases of Famous People
By Beth Hammett
15 famous plagiarism cases and students get to "be the judge"! Fact based handouts with real life cases and research component to build critical thinking, plagiarism, and research skills. includes: 15 Famous People: MLK, Jr. Barack Obama Joe Biden Ray Parker Michael Bolton John Fogerty George Harrison T.S. Eliot Melania Trump Vanilla Ice J.K. Rowling Robin Thicke Jane Goodall Johnny Cash Helen Keller Handouts include: 15 black and white famous people images (optional: color these) Backgrounds of person Plagiarism charges Debates over charges Research component Verdicts of cases Guilty or Innocent boxes Guilty or Innocent evidence t-charts 3 Narrative and Rhetorical Discussion/Writing Prompts on each handout = 45 prompts (each with a "You be the judge..." prompt) Note: Does NOT include copies of lyrics, novels, or speeches due to copyright infringement laws. These are used to enhance students' research skills. Fun, engaging, and educational way to learn about plagiarism and explore real life connections to the topic while using research skills. Excellent for introduction to plagiarism, follow-up to unit, assessment of skills, character building, homeschool, AP/Pre-AP, dual credit, adult learners, ELL/ESL upper level learners, flipped classes, literature centers, building research skills, and real life connections to writing. Provides basic history of famous people. Use with: Having Fun with Plagiarism at: https://www.TeachShare.com/Product/Having-Fun-with-Plagiarism-155008 Plagiarism Quiz at: https://www.TeachShare.com/Product/Plagiarism-Quiz-167314 Follow Educator Helper Blogspot for weekly free products and tips at: http://bethhammett.blogspot.com/
Citations and Cite Sources for Research Essays
By Beth Hammett
Updated to Edition 8 citations! An 18 page, easy-to-follow, illustrated, quick-start guide on how-to build a BIbliography/Works Cited page using Easy Bib, an online citation builder website. Are you tired of repeating directions for how-to build a Bibiography/Works Cited page and how to properly cite research resources? Then, this is just what you need to help students visualize and work through the process! Includes: How-to build citations using any online citation site Differences between Bibliography and Works Cited How to build a Works Cited page How to use a second tab/window for easy copy & paste A shortcut to create a new MS Word page Screen shots to help students walk through the process How to paste and copy citations onto Work Cited pages In-text citations and matching to Works Cited pages Guidelines for Works Cited page Checklist for final research essay packets When you can't help each student one-on-one, this screenshot tutorial will walk students through the bibliography/works cited building process so that research is properly cited. Excellent for college prep, gifted talented, composition courses, history classes, research projects, and refresher for how to properly and quickly build citations for Bibliography/Works Cited pages.
Monsters On-Demand Writing Prompts
By Beth Hammett
High interest, critical thinking, on-demand writing prompts that include research based facts and references for citations. Great for college and career rigor standards with fact-based, textual evidence writings. Use as individual handouts or for whole group prompts. Includes: Aliens Bigfoot Chupacabra Ghosts Lochness Monster Mermaids Mothman Vampires Werewolves Zombies Fun, on-demand expository, informational, or persuasive prompts that stimulate creative, critical thinking writings! Great for discussions and debates, too. Meets CCSS.
Graphic Organizer for ACT/SAT and Expository
By Beth Hammett
New standardized tests, such as ACT and SAT, ask students to define the problem, sort through solutions, find the best solution, and explain why they chose their answers. This free graphic organizer will help students with working through the process!
By Beth Hammett
One-page quiz for introduction or assessment to working with citations. Whole group or individual activity that combines technology and how to properly cite research materials.
Writing a Rough Draft (Grades 9+)
By Beth Hammett
What is a rough draft? How do you find a topic? How do you get started? How does it work in the writing process? All this is more answered as students work through the rough draft process for writing. Includes: "The first draft of anything is shit!" by Ernest Hemingway (Please review before showing this caption/image) Writers compose in different ways Writing process and overview Reflection activity Methods for starting: Chunk writing,Cluster/Map, Free writing, Outline Let's Practice activity Taking a risk with rough drafts Tips: Using your writing toolbox, taking a break between drafts, and Can you read this? Rough draft strategy slide and begin your rough draft Reminder of writing process for peer workshopping Everything needed to help students understand and begin their first rough drafts!
Presidents Day and Presidents Fact-Based Writing Activities
By Beth Hammett
Get students thinking about presidential elections and political campaign promises with 16 handouts that generate higher level learning.The journal-like prompts include historical facts that will have students wondering, "What if.I was president..?" Social issues to write about include:
family issues
government growth
importing goods
internet issues
laws and rules
leadership style
national debt
national security
social security
space exploration
succession
transportation problems
war
world peace
There are sixteen famous presidents, with their greatest accomplishments. Included are: Adams, Bush, Clinton, Cleveland, Coolidge, Eisenhower, Jackson, Johnson, Kennedy, Lincoln, Nixon, Reagan, Roosevelt,Washington
Includes Extra Resources (videos, web-links) and Ideas for Use in the classroom.
Can be used with English, Government, History classes.
Cause and Effect Practice Handouts Grades 7-12
By Beth Hammett
Complete set of 7 graphic organizers for cause and effect writings. Easy to use and follow, and comes with: Cause and Effect Relationship Word Chart Cause and Effect Topics Sheet Categories: Arts, Humanities, Music, Education, STEM 7 different Graphic Organizers to Xerox Writing Tips Writing Challenges Reinforces fact based writing, cause and effect relationship words, planning stage, working with writing process, and peer workshopping. Critical thinking skills needed! Great for ELA and STEM connections, AP, charter, ESL, GT, dual credit, and homeschool students.
Paragraph Development (Writing)
By Beth Hammett
Defines the term "paragraph" plus how to build paragraphs along with different types of paragraphs and relationship words for each. Included are: General, Analysis, Chronology, Least to most important, Most to least important, Logical, Subordinating, Coordinating. Easy to follow with examples of styles given.
By Beth Hammett
Students can chart Earth's changes from the beginning of time through the future with this 35 page, interactive timeline for students to make and share. Uses fact-based writing, inferencing skills, interpreting information, research skills, application of knowledge, and writing skills.
Includes handouts/printables of:
Directions
Extra Handout/Video Resources
5 Title pages
5 The End pages
My Earth Timeline page to fill in
Covers time periods:
Beginning of Earth
Compare/Contrast over how Earth was formed
Cambrian Period
Permian Period
Mesozoic Period
Forming of 7 Continents
Stone Age
Ice Age
Neolithic Period
Bronze Age and hieroglyphics
Pyramids/Stonehenge
Iron Age
Hellenistic Period
Roman Period
Byzantine Period
Middle Ages: Classic, Middle, Modern
Renaissance and Reformation
Enlightenment and Age of Reason
Industrial Revolution
20th and 21st Century
What about Earth's future?
A brief overview of Earth's time periods for students to learn about, and review then apply knowledge to complete their books. Can be used for assessment, journaling activities, history/social studies, for celebrating Earth Day, or as overview of unit on how Earth was formed and changed. Requires critical thinking skills for completion.
Paraphrasing, Summarizing, and Using Ellipses (Writing)
By Beth Hammett
Everything students need to know to understand, practice, and write paraphrases, summaries, and ellipses. Includes: Easy to Understand Definitions Examples Practice Activity Slides Extra Resources Individual or group practice writing slides helps students apply skills to transfer to future research projects. Use for assessment of skills. Meets CCSS.