For finding a way to teach that is engaging, fun, and actually educational, we explore books, resources, worksheets, and videos.
For finding a way to teach that is engaging, fun, and actually educational, we explore books, resources, worksheets, and videos.
As a 5th grade teacher I have always felt a tremendous responsibility to teach the American history curriculum to my students. In Utah, we cover all of American history from early Native Americans all the way to present day America! That is a lot of curriculum to cover in just one year - especially in schools where high stakes testing place such an emphasis in teaching literacy, math, and science. The sad thing I've noticed is that teachers just don't have time for social studies. With no accountability to teach it, limited resources, and lack of support, history can be a hard subject for a lot of elementary teachers. So why should we teach American History? Why is it so important? I'd like to offer 3 reasons why teaching social studies (especially American history) is so important in today's classrooms. 1. The future of America is in your classrooms! If they don't understand and appreciate America from a young age, how will they grow up to be participating citizens in our country? 2. Patriotism is important! If you don't teach students to respect our flag, stand and put their hand over their heart when they say the Pledge of Allegiance and about our Founding Fathers who sacrificed to make our country free... who will? (Parents hopefully, but what about those sweet kids who don't have great role models at home? How will they learn?) 3. We can learn a great deal about character, hard work, and sacrifice by studying the various events and famous people in history. Studying people like George Washington and Martin Luther King, Jr. will help give our students role models that they can look up to. Studying events like the Civil War or World War II can teach them about sacrifice and how hate can make the world a sad place. Our students need these lessons to teach them important life-long skills that will make them stronger and kinder American citizens. As a 5th grade teacher, I used to joke that my main goal in teaching my students was to make sure they never ended up on a TV game show looking like a complete fool for not knowing basic US history facts. Knowing who discovered America, what day the Declaration of Independence was signed, which country we fought in the Revolution, and the name of our recent past presidents (among other things) were goals I made sure my students could know and remember. As elementary teachers, we owe it to the Jr. High and High School teachers to take a bigger responsibility in ensuring our students are ready to enter the real world upon graduation. I believe that instilling a great love for our country needs to begin at a young age so students grow up loving our wonderful country, respecting the land we live on, and turn out to be productive and caring citizens in the community. For those of you who are lacking in resources to teach American History, I wanted to show you something I've made that I think could be a great help to you! Over the course of six years, and while finding successful ways to teach American history to my students, I developed this set of American History Graphic Organizers. It contains 40 graphic organizers that will help you teach all of the important events in history including Native Americans, Early Explorers, the Revolutionary War, Westward Expansion, Civil War, World War I and II, Civil Rights, and everything else in between, including U.S. Government and elections. Here is a little peek at the 40 organizers I have available. (For a complete list of topics click here: bit.ly/AmericanHistoryGO) I tried to include everything you would need, so I have added the following resources to help make this product easy to use and implement in your classroom. THE PACK INCLUDES: A Note to the Teacher Teacher Instructions Teaching Tips Teaching Ideas A pacing guide sample 4 student book cover page options -2 color choices -2 black and white choices (to save ink!) Table of Contents 40 graphic organizers People have asked me in the past what I like to use to teach American History. Here is a little peek into what I use and how I use these graphic organizers with my students: •Picture books or chapter books on the topic. •Primary source documents. (For example, let students read a copy of the actual Declaration of Independence or use real maps from the time period.) •Fun and interesting websites (either whole class on a projector, in a computer lab, or using iPads). •Videos or short documentaries on the topic. •Find free PowerPoint presentations in a google search or look on TeachersPayTeachers. (If needed, you could make your own.) •Learning groups - Divide up the topics for a day, have each group become an expert on that topic, then have them present their research to the class. •Guest speaker – If you can, invite someone in to teach about a topic. (For example, a grandparent who served in the Vietnam or Korean War would add a lot to a lesson!) •Hands-on projects. For some lessons you can have a fun activity prepared. (For example, when I teach about slavery, I try to bring in raw cotton and have my students experience what it’s like to pull out all the burrs.) Love these ideas? I'd love for you to pin one of these images to your Pinterest boards!
If you are looking to teach the US Constitution in a fun and engaging way, then you will want to check out our Constitution Detectives activity! Reading and understanding the US Constitution can be difficult for students. This detective activity is perfect to help your class dig into what the Constitution is really about. Through this resource, students will leave with a deeper understanding of the three branches of government and how our democracy works. Students will be learning about key vocabulary such as democracy, amendment, federal system, and more. They will also become experts in understanding events that led up to the creation of the Constitution, the roles of the three branches of government, the rights of citizens, and the ratifying of the Constitution. DIGITAL VERSION NOW INCLUDED! Here is what is included in this amazing US Constitution resource: Constitution Detectives Teacher Tips (2-pages) Introductory Handout (1-page) Detective Handout (12-pages) Detective Handout Answer Key (12-pages) Detective Badge Template (1-page; 9 per page) Grading Rubric (1-page; 2 per page) What is NOT Included: Constitution of the United States Document Resources for student research Looking for other great US History Resources? Click on the titles below: Declaration of Independence Detectives How a Bill Becomes a Law How a Bill Becomes a Law Board Game Election and Voting Activities TEACHERS LIKE YOU SAID... ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Kimberly R: My students love this! It gives them a great overview of the Constitution and puts it in a way they can understand. I use this every year with my class. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Elizabeth C: This resource made studying the Constitution so much fun! My class was a combined classroom of 4th graders and 5th graders. While 4th graders were learning state history and had very specific lessons that needed my oversight, I was able to use these projects for my 5th graders. They learned about the history topics in more of an independent study style! These resources were a major timesaver for me! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Stephen E: My students had a great time with this activity! It took multiple days to complete, and they were disappointed on the days that we weren't able to work on it. They all demonstrated a increased understanding of the Constitution, and because since it was the beginning of a new school year, the activity helped the students to get to know each other better as well. Be the first to know about discounts, freebies and new resources! · Click the green star to get email notifications about new resources and sales. · Join our newsletter. · Find our blog – Creativity in the Modern Classroom or follow us on Facebook. Copyright © Wise Guys All rights reserved by author. Permission to copy for single classroom use only. Not for public display. Please purchase additional licenses if you intend to share this product.
Who owns the U.S. money and why can't we just print more? The economics of supply and demand and function of the Treasurer of the United States for 4th grade.
For finding a way to teach that is engaging, fun, and actually educational, we explore books, resources, worksheets, and videos.
This Jonah and the whale craft teaches a lesson on obedience. I believe in teaching our kids about the importance of obedience. Here is why! Obedience is one of the 52 words in my character development series. Although I want my kids to fully understand God’s grace and mercy first and foremost, I want them...Read More
When it comes to how long you should wait to get married, there's no perfect answer. Just because you see your friends getting married all around you isn't a reason to rush. And if you feel like you're ready before your friends are, then there's a…
Unfortunately, not everyone is blessed with good parents, and children of toxic parents know exactly how that feels.
For finding a way to teach that is engaging, fun, and actually educational, we explore books, resources, worksheets, and videos.
An inviting wraparound porch stretches around the front of this Farmhouse, while inside, the smart design provides an open and light-filled communal space, perfect for entertaining. Coffered ceilings criss-cross above the great room, anchored by a gas fireplace on the right wall. Easily move into the dining area and kitchen, where you'll find an eating bar at the island, large range, and walk-in pantry. Retreat to the back porch to find a fireplace and outdoor kitchen with an island. The master bedroom protrudes from the rear of the home and is joined by a deluxe ensuite with his and hers closets. One of the closets connects with the laundry room as an added convenience. Enter from the 3-car garage to find built-in lockers in the mudroom, along with a staircase that leads to a 460 sq ft bonus room.
Looking for fun hand clapping games? Awesome hand clapping songs to teach kids, students or camp attendees, with videos and printable lyrics!
If you are looking to teach the US Constitution in a fun and engaging way, then you will want to check out our Constitution Detectives activity! Reading and understanding the US Constitution can be difficult for students. This detective activity is perfect to help your class dig into what the Constitution is really about. Through this resource, students will leave with a deeper understanding of the three branches of government and how our democracy works. Students will be learning about key vocabulary such as democracy, amendment, federal system, and more. They will also become experts in understanding events that led up to the creation of the Constitution, the roles of the three branches of government, the rights of citizens, and the ratifying of the Constitution. DIGITAL VERSION NOW INCLUDED! Here is what is included in this amazing US Constitution resource: Constitution Detectives Teacher Tips (2-pages) Introductory Handout (1-page) Detective Handout (12-pages) Detective Handout Answer Key (12-pages) Detective Badge Template (1-page; 9 per page) Grading Rubric (1-page; 2 per page) What is NOT Included: Constitution of the United States Document Resources for student research Looking for other great US History Resources? Click on the titles below: Declaration of Independence Detectives How a Bill Becomes a Law How a Bill Becomes a Law Board Game Election and Voting Activities TEACHERS LIKE YOU SAID... ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Kimberly R: My students love this! It gives them a great overview of the Constitution and puts it in a way they can understand. I use this every year with my class. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Elizabeth C: This resource made studying the Constitution so much fun! My class was a combined classroom of 4th graders and 5th graders. While 4th graders were learning state history and had very specific lessons that needed my oversight, I was able to use these projects for my 5th graders. They learned about the history topics in more of an independent study style! These resources were a major timesaver for me! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Stephen E: My students had a great time with this activity! It took multiple days to complete, and they were disappointed on the days that we weren't able to work on it. They all demonstrated a increased understanding of the Constitution, and because since it was the beginning of a new school year, the activity helped the students to get to know each other better as well. Be the first to know about discounts, freebies and new resources! · Click the green star to get email notifications about new resources and sales. · Join our newsletter. · Find our blog – Creativity in the Modern Classroom or follow us on Facebook. Copyright © Wise Guys All rights reserved by author. Permission to copy for single classroom use only. Not for public display. Please purchase additional licenses if you intend to share this product.
This is a quick fun way for primary students to learn or review the three branches of government. A wonderful activity for Constitution Day. My kiddos LOVE flip books! If I say: ‘We are going to make a flip book!’, I hear: ‘I love flip books!’ INCLUDED RESOURCES • 2 Options • Flip Book • Interactive Notebook TEACHER-FRIENDLY FEATURES - Print & Use STUDENT-FRIENDLY FEATURES -Kid-Tested (thumbs up) -Students love Flip books! ****************************************************** ♥ Customer Tips: ♥ ♥ Click on the ★ above (by my picture) to follow my store. ♥ Click HERE to get the Key to My Free Resource Library! ♥ Click HERE to sign up for exclusive secret sales and limited-time freebies! Leave feedback to earn credit points to save money on future products! ****************************************************** Let’s Connect: Facebook PinterestInstagramPeggy @ Primary Flourish ******************************************************
Are you looking for a way to bring more engagement into your classroom? This activity gamifies your lessons while teaching your students about our three branches of government. Students have to master a level before they earn a badge and move on to the next level. Included you will find: 5 readings (Our Government, The Legislative Branch, The Executive Branch, The Judicial Branch, and Checks and Balances) 30 Task Cards split into 5 levels Questions worksheet (if you didnt want to use the task cards) Color classroom set of badges for each level Level Up! Sheet fI have been doing Leveling Up! activities for two years now and they continue to amaze me how wonderful they are and how much the kids love them. I have written two blog posts about how they have worked in my class. I totally suggest you read these before you implement the lesson http://toengagethemall.blogspot.com/2013/03/leveling-up-my-hand-at-gameification.html http://toengagethemall.blogspot.com/2013/04/more-classroom-gameification.htmlor recording
Submerged VBS Craft Ideas - a collection of alternitive craft ideas for Lifeway's "Submerged" themed Vacation Bible school
Learning to read and spell silent letter words can be tricky for kids. Learn teaching tips and tricks that make this concept easy and fun!
