8th Grade Other (Social Studies & History) Google Apps

Elevate classroom discussions with this comprehensive Habits of Discourse Lesson Plan and Graphic Organizer! Designed for middle school humanities teachers, this resource provides everything you need to foster meaningful, respectful, and structured conversations in your classroom. Whether you're working on developing your students' verbal communication skills or introducing them to nonverbal signals, this resource is your go-to tool for teaching effective discourse habits.

Why This Resource is Essential:

• Promotes Structured Communication: Teach students how to engage in Turn and Talk, Table Talk, and Whole Class Talk with clear expectations for what each form of discourse "Looks like," "Sounds like," and "Feels like."
• Develops Critical Thinking: Encourages students to express their ideas, listen actively, and respond thoughtfully, building a strong foundation for analytical thinking and collaborative learning.
• Incorporates Nonverbal Communication: Introduce your students to nonverbal signals like "agree," "disagree," and "connect" to enhance their ability to communicate without interrupting others.
• Fosters a Positive Classroom Culture: By establishing norms for respectful and inclusive discussions, you help create a classroom environment where every student feels valued and heard.

What’s Included:

• Detailed 60-Minute Lesson Plan: Step-by-step instructions for guiding students through the habits of discourse, including Do Now prompts, discussion activities, and reflection exercises.
• Engaging Discussion Topics: Ten thought-provoking prompts tailored for middle school students, ensuring relevance and engagement in each discourse format.
• Graphic Organizer: A user-friendly tool for students to visualize and document their understanding of effective communication during Turn and Talk, Table Talk, and Whole Class Talk activities.

Perfect For:

• Middle School Humanities Teachers: Ideal for those teaching language arts, social studies, or any subject where discussion is key.
• Back to School: Establish classroom norms early in the school year with this essential resource.
• Ongoing Use: Revisit throughout the year to reinforce and expand your students' discourse skills.

Benefits:

• Improves Student Engagement: Students actively participate in discussions, leading to deeper understanding and retention of material.
• Builds Confidence: Helps shy or hesitant students find their voice in a safe and structured environment.
• Supports SEL Goals: Aligns with social-emotional learning objectives by teaching students how to communicate respectfully and empathically.

How to Use:

• Start the School Year Strong: Implement this lesson during the first weeks of school to set a positive tone for the year.
• Enhance Group Projects: Use the discourse habits as guidelines during collaborative work to ensure productive and respectful teamwork.
• Reflect and Revise: Encourage students to reflect on their communication skills regularly, using the graphic organizer as a tool for self-assessment and growth.

An engaging way to begin a unit on economics! This fun and hands-on activity will have students explore the important concepts of human needs versus wants through an engaging rocket ship simulation. Students will be vicariously drawn into an emergency situation in which they must collaborate, and agree as to what items they consider as ‘essential’ for their survival on their rocket ship mission to live on a far away planet. An interactive Slide Presentation will help guide the groups on their journey… along with prompting students to delve deeper by examining the broader issues of sustainability, waste, and identifying the main differences between ‘developed’ and ‘developing’ countries.

Materials:

• Teacher Reference Guide
• Slide Presentation
• Handouts:

#1. Student Guided Notes & Student Reflection

#2. Rocket Ship Activity

If you liked this lesson see other related lessons here:

• Child Labor: Comparing Industrial Era to Today
• Analyzing Environmental Disasters Caused by Human Activity
• FDR & The New Deal Matching Game
• Mystery: What Caused the Great Depression?
• Post Zombie Apocalypse: What Form of Government Would YOU Create?

Teaching map projections can be challenging. This lesson is an easy way to give students the foundation they need to understand what map projections are and how each has its own level of accuracies and distortions based on the size and shape of land masses and measurement/distance between points. This works very well with my students and is a fund group cooperative activity that requires higher-level thinking skills and or helps students develop higher-level thinking skills by analyzing various map projections, and determining their accuracies and distortions.

LESSON: MAP PROJECTIONS: WHICH ONE WOULD YOU USE?

GRADE LEVEL: 7-12th

TIME FRAME: 90-120 MINUTES (TWO 60-MINUTE CLASS PERIODS)

TYPE OF ACTIVITY: GROUP COOPERATION ACTIVITY
NOTE: ADJUST MARGINS UNDER PAGE SETUP BEFORE PRINTING or SCALE TO FIT TO AVOID GRAPHICS FROM BEING CUT OFF.

OBJECTIVE:

• The learner will familiarize his/herself with the following map projections: Robinson Projections, Mercator Projections, Goode Projection, & Hammer Projection
• The learner will understand theaccuracies and distortions of flat map projections.
• The learner will understand the three variables of map projections: Shape, size &
  distance.
• The learner will investigate and explore various map projections to determine their accuracies and distortions.
• The learner will be able to determine what map projections can be used for accuracies of size, shape & distance.

MATERIALS:

• Presentation: Google slide format & PowerPoint presentation (included in zip file).
• Comparison Chart Listening Chart (1 per student)
• Activity Instructional Sheet: Map It! (1 per group)
• Internet connections to obtain a copy of map projections. (For each group)
• Printer to be able to print the map projection.
• Poster boards or butcher paper are cut into the size of poster boards. (One per group)
• Rubric: Map It Group Presentation
• Provide students with glue, markers, crayons, colored pencils, rulers, and scissors.

PREPARATION:

• Review the presentation and be prepared to discuss the accuracies and distortions of the maps presented.
• Make a copy of the listening guide for each student.
• Have students bring posterboards for group assignments or cut butcher paper into
  poster board size pieces.
• Make a copy of the Activity Instructional Sheet: Map It! 1 per group.
• Make sure your students will have access to the internet to find a map projection
  to examine and a printer that will allow them to print off the map projection.
• Print a rubric for each group so they know the requirements.

CLASSROOM SETUP:

• A desk and or table will be set up for students to work in teams of two’s, three’s, or with whatever the instructor feels comfortable.

INTRODUCTION: (10 minutes)

• PowerPoint Presentation or Google Slide Show (This is the same presentation)
• The PowerPoint presentation is included in the zip file.
• GOOGLE DOC SLIDE SHOW -- will receive with the purchase

PROCEDURE: (Group Reading Activity—30 minutes)
Divide the class into groups. Provide each group with the Instruction sheet: Map It! As well as a rubric, poster board, crayons, colored pencils, markers, glue, a ruler and scissors. Explain the instructions to the class based on the Instruction Sheet: Map It. Review what the group needs to present during their group presentation using the grading rubric.

CLOSURE / EVALUATION: (20-30 minutes)
Students will present as a group their findings regarding their map projection.

VIDEOS FOR REVIEW OF CONTENT:

Will receive it with the purchase of the lesson.

(Disclaimer: As time passes, some of these videos may be dropped from the sites, which is beyond the author’s control. Therefore, the author has included a wide range of videos for you to choose from in the case this occurs. If a video is removed from a site, this should not reflect the lesson score provided on TeachShare as the author has no control over whether the site allows the video to remain on their site. Simply, choose another video provided or send the author a question asking for help finding another video. TPT asks the buyer to refrain from scoring until an attempt is made to contact the author and work out issues such as these.)

Disclaimer: One purchase is good for one teacher's usage. For additional teachers to use this product, please purchase additional licenses at a discounted rate. This product is under copyright of Geography & Math Made Easy.

This passage and assortment of activities are an engaging and accessible way for your students to strengthen their knowledge of the history of Sub-Saharan Africa!

THIS PRODUCT INCLUDES:

• The History of Sub-Saharan Passage (3 pages)
• 15 Multiple Choice Questions
• 5 Short Answer Questions
• 9 Choice Board Extension Activities
• Answer Keys
• Link to Digital Version

I do my best to make sure every product is free of typos or mistakes, but please feel free to message me with any corrections or concerns.

This passage and assortment of activities are an engaging and accessible way for your students to strengthen their knowledge of the government of Sub-Saharan Africa.

THIS PRODUCT INCLUDES:

• The Government of Sub-Saharan Africa Passage (3 pages)
• 15 Multiple Choice Questions
• 5 Short Answer Questions
• 9 Choice Board Extension Activities
• Answer Keys
• Link to Digital Version

I do my best to make sure every product is free of typos or mistakes, but please feel free to message me with any corrections or concerns.

This passage and assortment of activities are an engaging and accessible way for your students to strengthen their knowledge of the social studies discipline of history!

THIS PRODUCT INCLUDES:

• Introduction to the Study of History Passage (3 pages)
• 15 Multiple Choice Questions
• 5 Short Answer Questions
• 9 Choice Board Extension Activities
• Answer Keys
• Link to Digital Version

I do my best to make sure every product is free of typos or mistakes, but please feel free to message me with any corrections or concerns.

This passage and assortment of activities are an engaging and accessible way for your students to strengthen their knowledge of the social studies disciplines of anthropology and sociology!

THIS PRODUCT INCLUDES:

• Introduction to the Studies of Anthropology and Sociology Passage (3 pages)
• 15 Multiple Choice Questions
• 5 Short Answer Questions
• 9 Choice Board Extension Activities
• Answer Keys
• Link to Digital Version

I do my best to make sure every product is free of typos or mistakes, but please feel free to message me with any corrections or concerns.

This passage and assortment of activities are an engaging and accessible way for your students to strengthen their knowledge of the arts of Europe!

THIS PRODUCT INCLUDES:

• The Arts of Europe Passage (3 pages)
• 15 Multiple Choice Questions
• 5 Short Answer Questions
• 9 Choice Board Extension Activities
• Answer Keys
• Link to Digital Version

I do my best to make sure every product is free of typos or mistakes, but please feel free to message me with any corrections or concerns.

This passage and assortment of activities are an engaging and accessible way for your students to strengthen their knowledge of the human geography of Europe!

THIS PRODUCT INCLUDES:

• The Human Geography of Europe Passage (3 pages)
• 15 Multiple Choice Questions
• 5 Short Answer Questions
• 9 Choice Board Extension Activities
• Answer Keys
• Link to Digital Version

I do my best to make sure every product is free of typos or mistakes, but please feel free to message me with any corrections or concerns.

This passage and assortment of activities are an engaging and accessible way for your students to strengthen their knowledge of the history of South Asia, including countries such as India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives.

THIS PRODUCT INCLUDES:

• The History of South Asia Passage (3 pages)
• 15 Multiple Choice Questions
• 5 Short Answer Questions
• 9 Choice Board Extension Activities
• Answer Keys
• Link to Digital Version

I do my best to make sure every product is free of typos or mistakes, but please feel free to message me with any corrections or concerns.

This passage and assortment of activities are an engaging and accessible way for your students to strengthen their knowledge of the arts of Canada!

THIS PRODUCT INCLUDES:

• The Arts of Canada Passage (3 pages)
• 15 Multiple Choice Questions
• 5 Short Answer Questions
• 9 Choice Board Extension Activities
• Answer Keys
• Link to Digital Version

I do my best to make sure every product is free of typos or mistakes, but please feel free to message me with any corrections or concerns.

This passage and assortment of activities are an engaging and accessible way for your students to strengthen their knowledge of the government of the United States of America!

THIS PRODUCT INCLUDES:

• The Government of the United States Passage (3 pages)
• 15 Multiple Choice Questions
• 5 Short Answer Questions
• 9 Choice Board Extension Activities
• Answer Keys
• Link to Digital Version

I do my best to make sure every product is free of typos or mistakes, but please feel free to message me with any corrections or concerns.

This passage and assortment of activities are an engaging and accessible way for your students to strengthen their knowledge of the arts of Southwest Asia, including countries such as Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq, Israel, and Turkey.

THIS PRODUCT INCLUDES:

• The Arts of Southwest Asia Passage (3 pages)
• 15 Multiple Choice Questions
• 5 Short Answer Questions
• 9 Choice Board Extension Activities
• Answer Keys
• Link to Digital Version

I do my best to make sure every product is free of typos or mistakes, but please feel free to message me with any corrections or concerns.

This passage and assortment of activities are an engaging and accessible way for your students to strengthen their knowledge of the human geography of Southwest Asia, including countries such as Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq, Israel, and Turkey.

THIS PRODUCT INCLUDES:

• The Human Geography of Southwest Asia Passage (3 pages)
• 15 Multiple Choice Questions
• 5 Short Answer Questions
• 9 Choice Board Extension Activities
• Answer Keys
• Link to Digital Version

I do my best to make sure every product is free of typos or mistakes, but please feel free to message me with any corrections or concerns.

This passage and assortment of activities are an engaging and accessible way for your students to strengthen their knowledge of the economy of Europe!

THIS PRODUCT INCLUDES:

• The Economy of Europe Passage (3 pages)
• 15 Multiple Choice Questions
• 5 Short Answer Questions
• 9 Choice Board Extension Activities
• Answer Keys
• Link to Digital Version

I do my best to make sure every product is free of typos or mistakes, but please feel free to message me with any corrections or concerns.

This passage and assortment of activities are an engaging and accessible way for your students to strengthen their knowledge of the human geography of Latin America!

THIS PRODUCT INCLUDES:

• The Human Geography of Latin America Passage (3 pages)
• 15 Multiple Choice Questions
• 5 Short Answer Questions
• 9 Choice Board Extension Activities
• Answer Keys
• Link to Digital Version

I do my best to make sure every product is free of typos or mistakes, but please feel free to message me with any corrections or concerns.

This passage and assortment of activities are an engaging and accessible way for your students to strengthen their knowledge of the arts of Latin America!

THIS PRODUCT INCLUDES:

• The Arts of Latin America Passage (3 pages)
• 15 Multiple Choice Questions
• 5 Short Answer Questions
• 9 Choice Board Extension Activities
• Answer Keys
• Link to Digital Version

I do my best to make sure every product is free of typos or mistakes, but please feel free to message me with any corrections or concerns.

This passage and assortment of activities are an engaging and accessible way for your students to strengthen their knowledge of the economy of North Africa, including countries such as Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, and Egypt.

THIS PRODUCT INCLUDES:

• The Economy of North Africa Passage (3 pages)
• 15 Multiple Choice Questions
• 5 Short Answer Questions
• 9 Choice Board Extension Activities
• Answer Keys
• Link to Digital Version

I do my best to make sure every product is free of typos or mistakes, but please feel free to message me with any corrections or concerns.

This passage and assortment of activities are an engaging and accessible way for your students to strengthen their knowledge of the cuisine of Eastern Europe!

THIS PRODUCT INCLUDES:

• The Cuisine of Eastern Europe Passage (3 pages)
• 15 Multiple Choice Questions
• 5 Short Answer Questions
• 9 Choice Board Extension Activities
• Answer Keys
• Link to Digital Version

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This passage and assortment of activities are an engaging and accessible way for your students to strengthen their knowledge of the physical geography of Canada!

THIS PRODUCT INCLUDES:

• The Physical Geography of Canada Passage (3 pages)
• 15 Multiple Choice Questions
• 5 Short Answer Questions
• 9 Choice Board Extension Activities
• Answer Keys
• Link to Digital Version

I do my best to make sure every product is free of typos or mistakes, but please feel free to message me with any corrections or concerns.