Graphic Organizers
Interpreting Political Cartoons
Students will be taught to identify, process, and analyze political cartoons for their symbolism, metaphors, irony, stereotypes, arguments, and point-of-view. Once students become familiar with this medium, they will engage with these visual primary sources to better understand a given topic.
Think, (Write), Pair, Share
Think, (Write), Pair, Share is an engaging in-class activity for students to break down long and complex texts, especially primary sources. Students are assigned a section of a primary source document to read and respond to in writing. After formulating individual responses, students pair up with another student who read the same section and they share their responses. Students should summarize their section and identify any key terms. Finally, each pair shares their summary with everyone contributing to the whole class's understanding of the text.
Carousel
The carousel is a group brainstorming activity, which can be used as an anticipatory set or a progress monitoring review. Students are organized into groups of 3-4 and given a piece of paper with a subtopic on it and unique-colored marker. Students are given 30 seconds to brainstorm as many answers related to the subtopic is possible. At the end of 30 seconds, each paper with a subtopic rotates to the next group. Students are challenged to come up with the most relevant responses.
Podcast
A podcast is an all-audio medium that is used both as a research tool and as an engaging student assessment. First, students will become familiar with the elements of audio storytelling by listening to relevant programs, like This American Life or Planet Money. Students should note the way each episode introduces the topic, then tells the story through a mix of expository narration and interviews and thematic music. Students will then be required to make audio recordings to explain concepts or make persuasive and argumentative statements in response to the subject matter.
Human Timeline
The human timeline is an engaging student activity, which requires to get up out of their seats and move to better understand chronology. Each student is given a notecard with an event, date, and description. Students familiarize themselves with their event before assembling themselves in chronological order in the classroom. Once the correct order has been achieved, students then share their even in chronological order.
Living Images
In small groups (4-6), students will be given an assortment of photographs/images from the time period of study and discuss the following questions:
- What is the context for this picture? When and where was it taken?
- What do you see? Specifically, what do you notice about the people in this image? Why are they? How do you think they are feeling? What might they be thinking?
- What does this image tell you about the time period?
Simulations
Simulations can take many forms, but in my class they will be a cross between The Oregon Trail and Dungeons & Dragons. For each simulation, students will be assigned a character with stats and primary objectives. The teacher will present their characters with historically specific scenarios and with each turn students will attempt to achieve their goals and objectives using their knowledge of history to help aid their pursuit. Students who correctly interpret their historical surroundings will be best equipped to complete objectives and win the simulation.