Middle School Other (Social Studies & History) Handouts

9/11 Writing Prompt The US History Edition: Writing Worksheets Students will analyze a video and take notes. Followed by creating an essay about 9/11.

The students will walk through the Similarities and Differences of four categories: Religion, Government, Economy, and Reasons for settling there. The teacher answer key is included.

Investigating Artifacts- Students have an opportunity to think like an archaeologist or historian as they interpret and analyze various artifacts and photographs. This is unit includes Google Slide lessons with a focus on the question “How do we learn about the past?”

For lesson 3, students can work in cooperative groups to discuss various photographs of artifacts. There are guiding questions included with each station and an opportunity for students to explore the topics with further investigation.

Lesson 4 is an extension activity where students will use these same skills to present a personal artifact or information on the past.

The lessons could work for a substitute plan over several classes. The lessons could be used for either full class discussions or small group activities. There are extra handout slides included so that teachers can add additional information. The parent’s letter explains the last activity which includes a student presentation of an artifact, photograph or interview. 

To prepare for these lessons, you may print out the photographs of artifacts for the student centers in lesson 3. It is helpful that you also collect some artifacts from your own home to share in class as this helps to catch students’ attention.

Included in this resource:

-Twenty-four page slideshow with definitions, discussion questions, a mind map activity, and photographs of over 25 artifacts. Handouts include a presentation organizer and review questions.

-Letter to parents, to tell them about the presentation in lesson 4

-Printable sheets for lesson 3 with 5-8 photographs of artifacts per station which includes questions for discussion and suggestions for further research.

Objectives:

Students will learn how historians and archaeologists use artifacts to learn about the past.

Students will work in cooperative groups to analyze artifacts, discuss ideas and interpret information.

Students will take part in whole group and small group discussion.

Students will learn terms which include artifact, historian, archaeologist, primary and secondary sources of information.

Students will show their understanding of these new terms by creating a mind map.

Students will have an opportunity to share information about their families by presenting a personal artifact, photograph or share information collected during an interview.

** Please note that the writing and images on this Google slide resource have been flattened and secured to protect my work (therefore not editable). As with every Google slide, buyers can add text boxes to write their own information or insert images.**

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Constellation Scavenger Hunt 

Hi fellow teachers

I often do scavenger hunts in grade 4 to 7  classrooms. I find them particularly useful when I’m feeling tired or lacking energy (hey, we’ve all been there).

Why do I like them?

1. They are easy to set up, 
2. The students get to move around
3. The students are focussed & engaged
4. The students enjoy it 
5. The teacher is free to take notes, observe and give guidance, if necessary. 

It can look chaotic, but if observed you can see students really trying, really reading the information, and really collaborating and cooperating.

How it works:

There are two components:

1. A two page worksheet (print double-sided, one per student)
2. 12 informational panels that contain the answers to the questions (these need to be printed on one side, cut in half and pinned in various locations around your room).
3. Hand out the worksheet and off they go!

I have used this activity in a Grade 6 class.

The whole activity takes about 40 minutes and I might suggest watching a couple of Youtube videos on the topic to ‘get them in the mood.

Good luck!

In this Geography and World Cultures lesson students will observe 10 different pictures of homes and dwellings located North America - Canada, the United States, Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean. Students will then analyze each picture and describe the homes/dwellings, describe the geography and environment of each place, and then determine what type economy the people of that location would be involved in.

This lesson is a reading over the Geography of the Central Asia and the Caucasus. Students will read the paragraphs and then answer Fill in the Blanks, Multiple Choice, Matching, and Short Answer questions. Answers are included.

This lesson is a reading over the Geography of Australia and Oceania. Students will read the paragraphs and then answer Fill in the Blanks, Multiple Choice, Matching, and Short Answer questions. Answers are included.

This lesson is a reading over the Geography of South Asia. Students will read the paragraphs and then answer Fill in the Blanks, Multiple Choice, Matching, and Short Answer questions. Answers are included.

This lesson is a reading over the Geography of Africa. Students will read the paragraphs and then answer Fill in the Blanks, Multiple Choice, Matching, and Short Answer questions. Answers are included.

This lesson is a reading over the Geography of the East and Southeast Asia. Students will read the paragraphs and then answer Fill in the Blanks, Multiple Choice, Matching, and Short Answer questions. Answers are included.

This is a Geography lesson on the 5 Themes of Geography. There are notes and a fill in the blanks notes guide. Included is a worksheet with fill in the blanks, multiple choice, matching, apply the 5 Themes, and a 5 themes picture match. Answer sheet is included. Format is a PDF with a link to a Google Slide Presentation.

This lesson is a reading over the Geography of South America. Students will read the paragraphs and then answer Fill in the Blanks, Multiple Choice, Matching, and Short Answer questions. Answers are included.

This lesson is a reading over the Geography of North America. Students will read the paragraphs and then answer Fill in the Blanks, Multiple Choice, Matching, and Short Answer questions. Answers are included.

This lesson is a reading over the Geography of Europe. Students will read the paragraphs and then answer Fill in the Blanks, Multiple Choice, Matching, and Short Answer questions. Answers are included.

The assignment is a reading over the Types of Government - Anarchy, Democracy, Monarchy, Theocracy, Autocracy, and Oligarchy. Students will read paragraphs and then answer the Fill in the Blank, Multiple Choice, and Matching questions that follow.

This lesson is a reading over the Geography of the Middle East/North Africa. Students will read the paragraphs and then answer Fill in the Blanks, Multiple Choice, Matching, and Short Answer questions. Answers are included.

The lesson is a biographical reading over the life and legacy of Stephen F. Austin. Students will read paragraphs and then answer the questions that follow.

The assignment is a biographical reading over the life and legacy of James Fannin. Students will read paragraphs and then answer the questions that follow.

This product is a crossword puzzle over people and events related to the Cotton, Cattle, and Railroads Era in Texas History.

The assignment is a biographical reading over the life and legacy of Thomas Jefferson Rusk. Students will read paragraphs and then answer the questions that follow.