8th Grade Social Studies & History Literature Circles

Engage your students with a comprehensive Pre-Reading Historical Introduction to Esperanza Rising by Pam Munoz Ryan. This Digital PowerPoint Lesson seamlessly presents this novel’s significant setting with critical world events of the time. This resource greatly improves comprehension while aligning to standards, ensuring a richer literary experience for all learning styles.

For use with whole group, small group, or independent work for regular ed, learning support, ESL or virtual/homeschool classrooms

PowerPoint Slides:

1. **Author Photo and Short Biography** Providing students with a personal connection to the author, enhancing their engagement and understanding of the writer’s influence behind the story.

2. **Historical Fiction Genre** Preparing students to critically analyze how real-world events of the time-period are portrayed through creative storytelling.

3. **Audio Link to Book**Providing an additional resource to support diverse learning styles and ensuring all students can access and engage with the text.

4. **Location Facts, Photos, and Maps** Providing students with a concrete understanding of the setting, enriching their grasp of the historical and geographical context of the story.

5. **Time-period Facts, Photos and Links** Helping students visualize and comprehend the novel’s historical context, deepening their understanding of the events and culture depicted in the story.

6. **Link to Time-period Music** Immersing students in the cultural atmosphere of the era, promoting an emotional connection.

7. **Links to Historical Video Clips** Bringing history to life, providing visual imagery and helping students better understand the events and people of the time-period.

8. **List of Books Written by this Author** Reading other books by the same author is important because it allows students to explore similar themes and styles, fostering a greater interest in literature and a deeper connection with the author's body of work.

9. **Pre and Post Printable Assessments and Answer Key** Crucial for the digital introduction lesson helping to gauge students' initial knowledge and track their progress, ensuring their understanding of the novel.

DIGITAL USES IN THE CLASSROOM:

· Introduce new story

· Provide factual backstory to historical fiction text

· Stimulate group discussion

· Create predictions about text

· Use as distance learning resource

· Post on webpage

· Add to electronic notebooks

Please be sure to view the preview and watch the video for detailed images and descriptions of the lesson.

This lesson is also available in Google Slides.

Enjoy!

-From Kiwious About Vocab

Engage your students with a comprehensive Pre-Reading Historical Introduction to Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis. This Digital Google Lesson seamlessly presents this novel’s significant setting with critical world events of the time. This resource greatly improves comprehension while aligning to standards, ensuring a richer literary experience for all learning styles.

For use with whole group, small group, or independent work for regular ed, learning support, ESL or virtual/homeschool classrooms

Google Slides:

1. **Author Photo and Short Biography** Providing students with a personal connection to the author, enhancing their engagement and understanding of the writer’s influence behind the story.

2. **Historical Fiction Genre** Preparing students to critically analyze how real-world events of the time-period are portrayed through creative storytelling.

3. **Audio Link to Book**Providing an additional resource to support diverse learning styles and ensuring all students can access and engage with the text.

4. **Location Facts, Photos, and Maps** Providing students with a concrete understanding of the setting, enriching their grasp of the historical and geographical context of the story.

5. **Time-period Facts, Photos and Links** Helping students visualize and comprehend the novel’s historical context, deepening their understanding of the events and culture depicted in the story.

6. **Link to Time-period Music** Immersing students in the cultural atmosphere of the era, promoting an emotional connection.

7. **Links to Historical Video Clips** Bringing history to life, providing visual imagery and helping students better understand the events and people of the time-period.

8. **List of Books Written by this Author** Reading other books by the same author is important because it allows students to explore similar themes and styles, fostering a greater interest in literature and a deeper connection with the author's body of work.

9. **Pre- and Post- Printable Assessments with Answer Key** Crucial for the digital introduction lesson helping to gauge students' initial knowledge and track their progress, ensuring their understanding of the novel.

DIGITAL USES IN THE CLASSROOM:

· Introduce new story

· Provide factual backstory to historical fiction text

· Stimulate group discussion

· Create predictions about text

· Use as distance learning resource

· Post on webpage

· Add to electronic notebooks

Please be sure to view the preview and watch the video for detailed images and descriptions of the lesson.

This lesson is also available in PowerPoint.

Enjoy!

-From Kiwious About Vocab

Engage your students with a comprehensive Pre-Reading Historical Introduction to Esperanza Rising by Pam Munoz Ryan. This Digital Google Lesson seamlessly presents this novel’s significant setting with critical world events of the time. This resource greatly improves comprehension while aligning to standards, ensuring a richer literary experience for all learning styles.

For use with whole group, small group, or independent work for regular ed, learning support, ESL or virtual/homeschool classrooms

Google Slides:

1. **Author Photo and Short Biography** Providing students with a personal connection to the author, enhancing their engagement and understanding of the writer’s influence behind the story.

2. **Historical Fiction Genre** Preparing students to critically analyze how real-world events of the time-period are portrayed through creative storytelling.

3. **Audio Link to Book**Providing an additional resource to support diverse learning styles and ensuring all students can access and engage with the text.

4. **Location Facts, Photos, and Maps** Providing students with a concrete understanding of the setting, enriching their grasp of the historical and geographical context of the story.

5. **Time-period Facts, Photos and Links** Helping students visualize and comprehend the novel’s historical context, deepening their understanding of the events and culture depicted in the story.

6. **Link to Time-period Music** Immersing students in the cultural atmosphere of the era, promoting an emotional connection.

7. **Links to Historical Video Clips** Bringing history to life, providing visual imagery and helping students better understand the events and people of the time-period.

8. **List of Books Written by this Author** Reading other books by the same author is important because it allows students to explore similar themes and styles, fostering a greater interest in literature and a deeper connection with the author's body of work.

9. **Pre- and Post- Printable Assessments with Answer Key** Crucial for the digital introduction lesson helping to gauge students' initial knowledge and track their progress, ensuring their understanding of the novel.

DIGITAL USES IN THE CLASSROOM:

· Introduce new story

· Provide factual backstory to historical fiction text

· Stimulate group discussion

· Create predictions about text

· Use as distance learning resource

· Post on webpage

· Add to electronic notebooks

Please be sure to view the preview and watch the video for detailed images and descriptions of the lesson.

This lesson is also available in PowerPoint.

Enjoy!

-From Kiwious About Vocab

Engage your students with a comprehensive Pre-Reading Historical Introduction to Esperanza Rising by Pam Munoz Ryan. This Digital Google Lesson seamlessly presents this novel’s significant setting with critical world events of the time. This resource greatly improves comprehension while aligning to standards, ensuring a richer literary experience for all learning styles.

For use with whole group, small group, or independent work for regular ed, learning support, ESL or virtual/homeschool classrooms

Google Slides:

1. **Author Photo and Short Biography** Providing students with a personal connection to the author, enhancing their engagement and understanding of the writer’s influence behind the story.

2. **Historical Fiction Genre** Preparing students to critically analyze how real-world events of the time-period are portrayed through creative storytelling.

3. **Audio Link to Book**Providing an additional resource to support diverse learning styles and ensuring all students can access and engage with the text.

4. **Location Facts, Photos, and Maps** Providing students with a concrete understanding of the setting, enriching their grasp of the historical and geographical context of the story.

5. **Time-period Facts, Photos and Links** Helping students visualize and comprehend the novel’s historical context, deepening their understanding of the events and culture depicted in the story.

6. **Link to Time-period Music** Immersing students in the cultural atmosphere of the era, promoting an emotional connection.

7. **Links to Historical Video Clips** Bringing history to life, providing visual imagery and helping students better understand the events and people of the time-period.

8. **List of Books Written by this Author** Reading other books by the same author is important because it allows students to explore similar themes and styles, fostering a greater interest in literature and a deeper connection with the author's body of work.

9. **Pre- and Post- Printable Assessments with Answer Key** Crucial for the digital introduction lesson helping to gauge students' initial knowledge and track their progress, ensuring their understanding of the novel.

DIGITAL USES IN THE CLASSROOM:

· Introduce new story

· Provide factual backstory to historical fiction text

· Stimulate group discussion

· Create predictions about text

· Use as distance learning resource

· Post on webpage

· Add to electronic notebooks

Please be sure to view the preview and watch the video for detailed images and descriptions of the lesson.

This lesson is also available in PowerPoint.

Enjoy!

-From Kiwious About Vocab

Engage your students with a comprehensive Pre-Reading Historical Introduction to Number the Stars by Lois Lowry. This Digital Google Lesson seamlessly presents this novel’s significant setting with critical world events of the time. This resource greatly improves comprehension while aligning to standards, ensuring a richer literary experience for all learning styles.

For use with whole group, small group, or independent work for regular ed, learning support, ESL or virtual/homeschool classrooms

Google Slides:

1. **Author Photo and Short Biography** Providing students with a personal connection to the author, enhancing their engagement and understanding of the writer’s influence behind the story.

2. **Historical Fiction Genre** Preparing students to critically analyze how real-world events of the time-period are portrayed through creative storytelling.

3. **Audio Link to Book**Providing an additional resource to support diverse learning styles and ensuring all students can access and engage with the text.

4. **Location Facts, Photos, and Maps** Providing students with a concrete understanding of the setting, enriching their grasp of the historical and geographical context of the story.

5. **Time-period Facts, Photos and Links** Helping students visualize and comprehend the novel’s historical context, deepening their understanding of the events and culture depicted in the story.

6. **Link to Time-period Music** Immersing students in the cultural atmosphere of the era, promoting an emotional connection.

7. **Links to Historical Video Clips** Bringing history to life, providing visual imagery and helping students better understand the events and people of the time-period.

8. **List of Books Written by this Author** Reading other books by the same author is important because it allows students to explore similar themes and styles, fostering a greater interest in literature and a deeper connection with the author's body of work.

9. **Pre- and Post- Printable Assessments with Answer Key** Crucial for the digital introduction lesson helping to gauge students' initial knowledge and track their progress, ensuring their understanding of the novel.

DIGITAL USES IN THE CLASSROOM:

· Introduce new story

· Provide factual backstory to historical fiction text

· Stimulate group discussion

· Create predictions about text

· Use as distance learning resource

· Post on webpage

· Add to electronic notebooks

Please be sure to view the preview and watch the video for detailed images and descriptions of the lesson.

This lesson is also available in PowerPoint.

Enjoy!

-From Kiwious About Vocab

Engage your students with a comprehensive Pre-Reading Historical Introduction to Milkweed by Jerry Spinelli. This Digital Google Lesson seamlessly presents this novel’s significant setting with critical world events of the time. This resource greatly improves comprehension while aligning to standards, ensuring a richer literary experience for all learning styles.

For use with whole group, small group, or independent work for regular ed, learning support, ESL or virtual/homeschool classrooms

Google Slides:

1. **Author Photo and Short Biography** Providing students with a personal connection to the author, enhancing their engagement and understanding of the writer’s influence behind the story.

2. **Historical Fiction Genre** Preparing students to critically analyze how real-world events of the time-period are portrayed through creative storytelling.

3. **Location Facts, Photos, and Maps** Providing students with a concrete understanding of the setting, enriching their grasp of the historical and geographical context of the story.

4. **Time-period Facts, Photos and Links** Helping students visualize and comprehend the novel’s historical context, deepening their understanding of the events and culture depicted in the story.

5. **Link to Time-period Music** Immersing students in the cultural atmosphere of the era, promoting an emotional connection.

6. **Links to Historical Video Clips** Bringing history to life, providing visual imagery and helping students better understand the events and people of the time-period.

7. **List of Books Written by this Author** Reading other books by the same author is important because it allows students to explore similar themes and styles, fostering a greater interest in literature and a deeper connection with the author's body of work.

8. **Pre- and Post- Printable Assessments with Answer Key** Crucial for the digital introduction lesson helping to gauge students' initial knowledge and track their progress, ensuring their understanding of the novel.

DIGITAL USES IN THE CLASSROOM:

· Introduce new story

· Provide factual backstory to historical fiction text

· Stimulate group discussion

· Create predictions about text

· Use as distance learning resource

· Post on webpage

· Add to electronic notebooks

Please be sure to view the preview and watch the video for detailed images and descriptions of the lesson.

This lesson is also available in PowerPoint.

Enjoy!

-From Kiwious About Vocab

Engage your students with a comprehensive Pre-Reading Historical Introduction to Woods Runner by Gary Paulsen. This Digital Google Lesson seamlessly presents this novel’s significant setting with critical world events of the time. This resource greatly improves comprehension while aligning to standards, ensuring a richer literary experience for all learning styles.

For use with whole group, small group, or independent work for regular ed, learning support, ESL or virtual/homeschool classrooms

Google Slides:

1. **Author Photo and Short Biography** Providing students with a personal connection to the author, enhancing their engagement and understanding of the writer’s influence behind the story.

2. **Historical Fiction Genre** Preparing students to critically analyze how real-world events of the time-period are portrayed through creative storytelling.

3. **Audio Link to Book**Providing an additional resource to support diverse learning styles and ensuring all students can access and engage with the text.

4. **Location Facts, Photos, and Maps** Providing students with a concrete understanding of the setting, enriching their grasp of the historical and geographical context of the story.

5. **Time-period Facts, Photos and Links** Helping students visualize and comprehend the novel’s historical context, deepening their understanding of the events and culture depicted in the story.

6. **Link to Time-period Music** Immersing students in the cultural atmosphere of the era, promoting an emotional connection.

7. **Links to Historical Video Clips** Bringing history to life, providing visual imagery and helping students better understand the events and people of the time-period.

8. **List of Books Written by this Author** Reading other books by the same author is important because it allows students to explore similar themes and styles, fostering a greater interest in literature and a deeper connection with the author's body of work.

9. **Pre- and Post- Printable Assessments with Answer Key** Crucial for the digital introduction lesson helping to gauge students' initial knowledge and track their progress, ensuring their understanding of the novel.

DIGITAL USES IN THE CLASSROOM:

· Introduce new story

· Provide factual backstory to historical fiction text

· Stimulate group discussion

· Create predictions about text

· Use as distance learning resource

· Post on webpage

· Add to electronic notebooks

Please be sure to view the preview and watch the video for detailed images and descriptions of the lesson.

This lesson is also available in PowerPoint.

Enjoy!

-From Kiwious About Vocab

Engage your students with a comprehensive Pre-Reading Historical Introduction to The Cay by Theodore Taylor. This Digital PowerPoint Lesson seamlessly presents this novel’s significant setting with critical world events of the time. This resource greatly improves comprehension while aligning to standards, ensuring a richer literary experience for all learning styles.

For use with whole group, small group, or independent work for regular ed, learning support, ESL or virtual/homeschool classrooms

PowerPoint Slides:

1. **Author Photo and Short Biography** Providing students with a personal connection to the author, enhancing their engagement and understanding of the writer’s influence behind the story.

2. **Historical Fiction Genre** Preparing students to critically analyze how real-world events of the time-period are portrayed through creative storytelling.

3. **Audio Link to Book**Providing an additional resource to support diverse learning styles and ensuring all students can access and engage with the text.

4. **Location Facts, Photos, and Maps** Providing students with a concrete understanding of the setting, enriching their grasp of the historical and geographical context of the story.

5. **Time-period Facts, Photos and Links** Helping students visualize and comprehend the novel’s historical context, deepening their understanding of the events and culture depicted in the story.

6. **Link to Time-period Music** Immersing students in the cultural atmosphere of the era, promoting an emotional connection.

7. **Links to Historical Video Clips** Bringing history to life, providing visual imagery and helping students better understand the events and people of the time-period.

8. **List of Books Written by this Author** Reading other books by the same author is important because it allows students to explore similar themes and styles, fostering a greater interest in literature and a deeper connection with the author's body of work.

9. **Pre and Post Printable Assessments and Answer Key** Crucial for the digital introduction lesson helping to gauge students' initial knowledge and track their progress, ensuring their understanding of the novel.

DIGITAL USES IN THE CLASSROOM:

· Introduce new story

· Provide factual backstory to historical fiction text

· Stimulate group discussion

· Create predictions about text

· Use as distance learning resource

· Post on webpage

· Add to electronic notebooks

Please be sure to view the preview and watch the video for detailed images and descriptions of the lesson.

This lesson is also available in Google Slides.

Enjoy!

-From Kiwious About Vocab

Engage your students with a comprehensive Pre-Reading Historical Introduction to The Cay by Theodore Taylor This Digital PowerPoint Lesson seamlessly presents this novel’s significant setting with critical world events of the time. This resource greatly improves comprehension while aligning to standards, ensuring a richer literary experience for all learning styles.

For use with whole group, small group, or independent work for regular ed, learning support, ESL or virtual/homeschool classrooms

PowerPoint Slides:

1. **Author Photo and Short Biography** Providing students with a personal connection to the author, enhancing their engagement and understanding of the writer’s influence behind the story.

2. **Historical Fiction Genre** Preparing students to critically analyze how real-world events of the time-period are portrayed through creative storytelling.

3. **Audio Link to Book**Providing an additional resource to support diverse learning styles and ensuring all students can access and engage with the text.

4. **Location Facts, Photos, and Maps** Providing students with a concrete understanding of the setting, enriching their grasp of the historical and geographical context of the story.

5. **Time-period Facts, Photos and Links** Helping students visualize and comprehend the novel’s historical context, deepening their understanding of the events and culture depicted in the story.

6. **Link to Time-period Music** Immersing students in the cultural atmosphere of the era, promoting an emotional connection.

7. **Links to Historical Video Clips** Bringing history to life, providing visual imagery and helping students better understand the events and people of the time-period.

8. **List of Books Written by this Author** Reading other books by the same author is important because it allows students to explore similar themes and styles, fostering a greater interest in literature and a deeper connection with the author's body of work.

9. **Pre and Post Printable Assessments and Answer Key** Crucial for the digital introduction lesson helping to gauge students' initial knowledge and track their progress, ensuring their understanding of the novel.

DIGITAL USES IN THE CLASSROOM:

· Introduce new story

· Provide factual backstory to historical fiction text

· Stimulate group discussion

· Create predictions about text

· Use as distance learning resource

· Post on webpage

· Add to electronic notebooks

Please be sure to view the preview and watch the video for detailed images and descriptions of the lesson.

This lesson is also available in Google Slides.

Enjoy!

-From Kiwious About Vocab

Engage your students with a comprehensive Pre-Reading Historical Introduction to A Long Way From Chicago by Richard Peck. This Digital PowerPoint Lesson seamlessly presents this novel’s significant setting with critical world events of the time. This resource greatly improves comprehension while aligning to standards, ensuring a richer literary experience for all learning styles.

For use with whole group, small group, or independent work for regular ed, learning support, ESL or virtual/homeschool classrooms

PowerPoint Slides:

1. **Author Photo and Short Biography** Providing students with a personal connection to the author, enhancing their engagement and understanding of the writer’s influence behind the story.

2. **Historical Fiction Genre** Preparing students to critically analyze how real-world events of the time-period are portrayed through creative storytelling.

3. **Audio Link to Book**Providing an additional resource to support diverse learning styles and ensuring all students can access and engage with the text.

4. **Location Facts, Photos, and Maps** Providing students with a concrete understanding of the setting, enriching their grasp of the historical and geographical context of the story.

5. **Time-period Facts, Photos and Links** Helping students visualize and comprehend the novel’s historical context, deepening their understanding of the events and culture depicted in the story.

6. **Link to Time-period Music** Immersing students in the cultural atmosphere of the era, promoting an emotional connection.

7. **Links to Historical Video Clips** Bringing history to life, providing visual imagery and helping students better understand the events and people of the time-period.

8. **List of Books Written by this Author** Reading other books by the same author is important because it allows students to explore similar themes and styles, fostering a greater interest in literature and a deeper connection with the author's body of work.

9. **Pre and Post Printable Assessments and Answer Key** Crucial for the digital introduction lesson helping to gauge students' initial knowledge and track their progress, ensuring their understanding of the novel.

DIGITAL USES IN THE CLASSROOM:

· Introduce new story

· Provide factual backstory to historical fiction text

· Stimulate group discussion

· Create predictions about text

· Use as distance learning resource

· Post on webpage

· Add to electronic notebooks

Please be sure to view the preview and watch the video for detailed images and descriptions of the lesson.

This lesson is also available in Google Slides.

Enjoy!

-From Kiwious About Vocab

click here to buy the book

This story is also available as part of an eight story ebook, "Young Voices: Eight Short Stories of Courage & Resilience."

In the wake of the 9/11 tragedy, two seventh graders, Alex and Sarah, display remarkable resilience by choosing to help at their local community center instead of attending school. Through this experience, they learn valuable lessons about community, empathy, and the human capacity to overcome adversity. Alex finds solace in drawing, capturing the emotions around him, while Sarah uses storytelling to comfort younger children. Their actions not only aid in their personal coping but also bring hope to those around them. This story is a poignant exploration of young people finding strength and unity in the face of unspeakable tragedy.

There are thought provoking questions (and suggested answers) at the end of the story.

General Learning Objectives for Deep by Design stories:

Understanding Conflict: The material offers insights into the dynamics of territorial conflicts and their ramifications for those caught in the crossfire.

Effects of War or Conflict on Youth: The content underlines the deep-seated impact of hostilities on the mental and physical health of children and adolescents.

Resilience and Hope: Through character experiences, the narrative highlights the human capacity for endurance and the quest for collective healing amidst adversity.

Cultural Insight: The text provides a window into the complexities of a region's culture and the intense obstacles its inhabitants endure.

Human Rights: The narrative serves as a primer for dialogues concerning the safeguarding of civilians and the enforcement of human rights in times of strife.

Peacebuilding: The book promotes an investigation into the adoption of nonviolent strategies for mitigating disputes and fostering reconciliation at the community level.

Are you looking to hold a formal Socratic Seminar in your classroom?

Socratic Seminars (or "Fish Bowl" Conversations as I like to call them with my students) are higher order ways of assessing whether your students are able to understand and react to what they are learning in class. These seminars rely on the power of inquiry and allow students to take the lead in their learning and discussion. The only problem? They require a great deal of preparation. Fortunately, this student-tested resource includes everything you need to conduct a structured and formal set of Socratic Seminars in your classroom. All you need are the 4 or 5 questions to form the basis of these discussions!

Product Includes:

• Assignment Directions with step-by-step instructions on how to conduct fishbowls in your classroom
• Engaging Introductory Activity for the "Fishbowl"
• “Fishbowl” Preparation Sheet
• Conversation Builder Prompts
• Participant Observation Sheet
• Rubric

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Also, check out these great materials by Language Arts Excellence:

⭐ Socratic Seminar Lesson Plan and Materials

⭐ Human Tic Tac Toe Review Game

⭐ Novel Playlist Assignment

⭐ Figurative Language Challenge Game

⭐ Peer Edit Forms and Lesson Plan

⭐ Secondary ELA Activities for any Novel

⭐ Emergency ELA Lesson Plan BUNDLE

⭐Differentiated Essay Prompts for use with ANY Novel

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⭐ Click to Follow Language Arts Excellence⭐

This story is also available as part of an eight story ebook, "Young Voices: Eight Short Stories of Courage & Resilience."

Set during the Kashmir conflict, "Iqbal and Yasmin: A Story of Childhood in Kashmir" tells the poignant story of two siblings experiencing the harrowing realities of war. Iqbal, an eight-year-old boy, and his sister Yasmin face the loss of innocence as their village is engulfed by violence with Indian and Pakistani forces in constant contention. Yasmin suffers a traumatic assault by a soldier, while Iqbal strives to restore normalcy by organizing cricket games. Their childhood is a stark contrast of fear and a courageous attempt to find joy and unity in a time of despair.

There are thought provoking questions (and possible answers) at the end of the story.

Learning Objectives

Understanding Conflict: The book provides a lens to view the Kashmir conflict and its effects on the local population.

Effects of War on Children: It emphasizes the profound impact of conflict on the mental and physical well-being of young people.

Resilience and Hope: Iqbal's actions illustrate the capacity for resilience and the pursuit of communal healing even in the darkest times.

Cultural Insight: Readers learn about Kashmir's rich culture and the severe challenges its people face.

Human Rights: The story is a gateway to discussions about protecting civilians and upholding human rights during conflict.

Peacebuilding: It encourages the exploration of non-violent methods for conflict resolution and peacebuilding within communities.