8th+Grade+Lesson+Ideas


 * The Revolution **



These Three documents are in order and made to get the student to look at different points of view.

This is a Great Webquest with primary source documents on the tension and causes of the Revolution []

The Boston Massacre Mock Trial

Stamp Act lesson with original documents

Loyalist lesson



with questions

Socratic Circles lesson with a reading about "Why the British lost the Revolution"


 * A New Nation**

This activity is meant to make students choose a new government based on what their needs are.

This activity is meant to be printed out and posted onto large sheets of paper. A question is then paired with the picture or statement and the students working in groups comment on the question and each others answers. After the process is complete you should leave time for reflection as a class.

Preamble Activity: This activity is designed to get students thinking not only about what the Preamble means but how its six parts carry out into reality.

A look at the two opposing Political Parties through the eyes of Hamilton and Jefferson


 * Expansion **

Monroe Doctrine graphic organizer activity looks interesting http://www.fwisd.org/socialstudies/Documents/grade_8_monroe_doctrine.pdf

Another Monroe Doctrine lesson idea http://edsitement.neh.gov/lesson-plan/monroe-doctrine-close-reading

This is a great one day project building a simple telegraph set






 * The Antebellum Period and move toward Civil War **

http://edsitement.neh.gov/sites/edsitement.neh.gov/files/worksheets/North-vs-South.pdf a look at the strengths and wekanesses of both sides at the beginning of the war.


 * The Civil War **

This was a bell ringer that turned into a larger class discussion. The first article was written right after the reelection of Obama, the other was dated January of 1861. The similarity between the two are chilling.

Slavery Jigsaw Activity

A Civil War Letter #1(primary source) Civil War Letter #2 Civil War Letter #3 This is a different Civil War Letter

Structured Academic Controversy (Was Abe Lincoln a racist?)

This would be a great Socratic Circle read.

An interesting comparison of the Civil War and the secessionist movement in Western Australia http://www1.curriculum.edu.au/ddunits/units/ms4fq3acts.htm

[|QR Code lesson on the "Power of Pictures"]


 * Reconstruction **




 * The Industrial Revolution **

I do this a station activity and have my students rotate around the room. https://www.dropbox.com/home/CLASS%20LESSONS/RECON-GILDED%20AGE/Gilded%20Age%20Station%20Activity

This is meant to be a conversation starter. I use it as a PPT or as pics taped to desks and have a rotation going around the classroom.

The Jungle. They will never eat school lunch again!!!

[] An interesting look at immigration to America with primary sources and statistical analiysis


 * The Rise of America as a World Power **



Primary Source document on the Maine explosion


 * The First World War **

Case Studies and What if questions project This is the modified project list for EC/ESL. The project requirements can be found on slide 2 of the ppt. above.

The Home front a great lesson using primary sources http://www.archives.gov/nyc/education/food-wwi.html#document

Causes of the war

The Zimmerman Telegram.

Primary source comparisons


 * The Great Depression **

Hyperinflation in Germany scenario activity

General Info. on the Depression This is a great simulation for the kids. It really hits home and their Hoovervilles.


 * The Second World War **

What does "Giving a Mouse a Cookie" teach us about "Appeasement" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SyBtwe9Ktik Japanese Internment lesson and graphic organizer

This is a food rationing challenge

A look at why certain groups supported Hitler. Makes you think.

The Atomic Bomb Debate

The Speeches of Winston Churchill http://teachingamericanhistory.org/churchill/lessonplans/milligan.doc

Genocide https://sites.google.com/site/genocidepreventionnc/


 * The Cold War **

The Space Race! These are the documents that you will need for the assignment component http://www.jfklibrary.org/Education/Students/Americans-in-Space.aspx

The Space Race Assignment http://www.jfklibrary.org/Education/Students/~/media/38799764B5C249DBA177194899DBB414.doc


 * The Civil Rights Movement **


 * Contemporary American History and Current Trends **

Stem Topics in Social Studies: http://www.definedstem.com/public/lessons/Social-studies/Current-events-issues/index.html

2025 a world in trouble activity [|http://www.unesco.org/education/tlsf/mods/theme_d/mod25.html?panel=1#top]

General:

The role of geography in American Conflict

The rules for " ** SAY SOMETHING ** " http://www.aypf.org/tripreports/2009/documents/Rules_for_Say_Something.doc



Create interactive timelines []

The Stock Market Game. A great way to help teach financial literacy http://guptillstockexchange.wikispaces.com/

A different approach to the dreaded vocabulary assignment. The activity will have to be played with but, it's a great idea. http://teachers.henrico.k12.va.us/deeprun/rhodes_k/Vocabulary%20lists/VOCAB%20MAN%20w%20shading.doc

Create a Facebook page for a real historical figure.

Use your senses to interpret a picture. This activity is used to put the student in the middle of the photo.

[] a new approach to teaching current events.

Digital Story Telling and the use of Artifacts.

http://teachinghistory.org/teaching-materials/teaching-guides/21731 Structured Academic Controversy. A great way to introduce research, and debate.

Structured Academic Controversy Explained



U.S. History Lessons from the Revolution to Modern times using primary sources and historical inquiry []

An Infographic maker [|http://visual.ly]