Photos of Classroom Activities in Social Studies
Amendment Presentations
Students chose an amendment to research and present to the class. Using the strategies learned in class, students independently interpreted its text, researched associated court cases or newspaper articles, and conveyed any notable activists who supported or denounced the amendment. Students added essential images and clarifying videos. Great research and creativity.
Students chose an amendment to research and present to the class. Using the strategies learned in class, students independently interpreted its text, researched associated court cases or newspaper articles, and conveyed any notable activists who supported or denounced the amendment. Students added essential images and clarifying videos. Great research and creativity.
Constitution Analysis
Students worked in groups and pairs to analyze the "supreme law of the land" on several comprehension levels. After identifying difficult vocabulary, students then used key words to summarize, reveal one of the seven constitutional principles, and present to the class their final critique of their assigned section. Students read every inch of the Constitution and were able to convey its purpose with confidence. Great job analyzing!
Students worked in groups and pairs to analyze the "supreme law of the land" on several comprehension levels. After identifying difficult vocabulary, students then used key words to summarize, reveal one of the seven constitutional principles, and present to the class their final critique of their assigned section. Students read every inch of the Constitution and were able to convey its purpose with confidence. Great job analyzing!
The Revolution Yearbook
Students selected a historical figure from the Revolutionary Era and researched their contribution to the war. They displayed their knowledge by creating a yearbook page using Google slides to include a short biography, images, videos, superlatives, top quotes, and future plans. Students channeled their creativity and finally presented their page to their peers from the perspective of their chosen figure. We even heard a few memorable songs. Well done everyone!
Students selected a historical figure from the Revolutionary Era and researched their contribution to the war. They displayed their knowledge by creating a yearbook page using Google slides to include a short biography, images, videos, superlatives, top quotes, and future plans. Students channeled their creativity and finally presented their page to their peers from the perspective of their chosen figure. We even heard a few memorable songs. Well done everyone!
Protest Posters and Persuasive Speeches
Students were assigned one of eight taxes or acts imposed by the British on the colonists. In groups, students created a picketing poster and a persuasive sidewalk speech to implore their audience to join their cause. The class ventured to the new media center to present the protests. Students voted on posters and speeches that compelled them most. Congratulations to the winners!
Students were assigned one of eight taxes or acts imposed by the British on the colonists. In groups, students created a picketing poster and a persuasive sidewalk speech to implore their audience to join their cause. The class ventured to the new media center to present the protests. Students voted on posters and speeches that compelled them most. Congratulations to the winners!
Battlefield Letter Presentations
Groups of students transformed a battle or event from the French and Indian War into a presentation. They also constructed "primary source" letters from the battlefield based on the people, places, and events found in the informational text. To enhance their understanding, they interpreted art depicting the time period pertaining to their assigned section. Wonderful job creating first person point-of-view letters that captured the events of the time and emotions of the people!
Groups of students transformed a battle or event from the French and Indian War into a presentation. They also constructed "primary source" letters from the battlefield based on the people, places, and events found in the informational text. To enhance their understanding, they interpreted art depicting the time period pertaining to their assigned section. Wonderful job creating first person point-of-view letters that captured the events of the time and emotions of the people!
Americana Folk Art
Students conveyed their knowledge of Colonial times through a mixed media quilt square project. They gathered ideas from their reading in regards to religion, politics, economy, war, education, and publishing and compared the topics to modern times. Students then presented their American quilt stories of "then and now" describing the symbols and depictions they chose to represent both eras. Amazing work!
Students conveyed their knowledge of Colonial times through a mixed media quilt square project. They gathered ideas from their reading in regards to religion, politics, economy, war, education, and publishing and compared the topics to modern times. Students then presented their American quilt stories of "then and now" describing the symbols and depictions they chose to represent both eras. Amazing work!
Primary Document Analysis
Students read and interpreted the Magna Carta to determine the meaning of articles in a simplified sentence. From there, they condensed even further by creating a hashtag for their article that revealed the main point. Great job being concise.
Students read and interpreted the Magna Carta to determine the meaning of articles in a simplified sentence. From there, they condensed even further by creating a hashtag for their article that revealed the main point. Great job being concise.
News Broadcasts
Students analyzed a pre-revolutionary event in the text and prepared scripts using google docs, which revealed the facts of the event, the feelings of colonists, and vital information by topic analysts. They worked diligently to present their broadcasts to the class who in turn took relevant notes on the important features of their breaking news. Truly great work interpreting and conveying knowledge!
Students analyzed a pre-revolutionary event in the text and prepared scripts using google docs, which revealed the facts of the event, the feelings of colonists, and vital information by topic analysts. They worked diligently to present their broadcasts to the class who in turn took relevant notes on the important features of their breaking news. Truly great work interpreting and conveying knowledge!
E-News Events
Students used the Computer Lab to read an article on the electoral college written at their own Lexile level and review their comprehension. Great focus everyone.
Students used the Computer Lab to read an article on the electoral college written at their own Lexile level and review their comprehension. Great focus everyone.
Mock Trial
Students gathered information on the Salem Witch Trials from multiple sources and prepared for a mock trial. The judges, jury, prosecution and defense teams did their best to show their knowledge through their roles and prove their arguments. A very convincing performance by all!
Students gathered information on the Salem Witch Trials from multiple sources and prepared for a mock trial. The judges, jury, prosecution and defense teams did their best to show their knowledge through their roles and prove their arguments. A very convincing performance by all!
Columbus Day Debate
Students pulled evidence from primary and secondary sources to support their opinion on whether or not Columbus Day should be celebrated in Massachusetts as it is only one of twenty-three states to do so. Students defended their stances well, even converting others to a different mindset. Great job everyone!
Students pulled evidence from primary and secondary sources to support their opinion on whether or not Columbus Day should be celebrated in Massachusetts as it is only one of twenty-three states to do so. Students defended their stances well, even converting others to a different mindset. Great job everyone!
Mural Timeline
Students created a timeline mural of Early America by using their notes to categorize important people, places, ideas, inventions, documents, changes, and motivators for those changes. Some students even created quotes of what the people of the time period would be saying and feeling. Each group presented their section of the timeline to illustrate the historical period. Great job everyone!
Students created a timeline mural of Early America by using their notes to categorize important people, places, ideas, inventions, documents, changes, and motivators for those changes. Some students even created quotes of what the people of the time period would be saying and feeling. Each group presented their section of the timeline to illustrate the historical period. Great job everyone!
Themes of Geography
Students worked in groups at several stations related to the themes of geography. They pondered questions that they should ask if they were to meet a brand new culture of people in a foreign land. They presented their posters to the class as a wrap up to the review of the themes of geography. Great thinking!
Students worked in groups at several stations related to the themes of geography. They pondered questions that they should ask if they were to meet a brand new culture of people in a foreign land. They presented their posters to the class as a wrap up to the review of the themes of geography. Great thinking!
Artifacts
Students presented personal artifacts that are meaningful in their lives and represent something about their personality, culture, or family. Audience members took notes about what they found interesting, a connection they may have with the presenter, and a question they would save for the presenter at the conclusion of their presentation. Great job presenting for the first time in our class. Thank you for sharing.
Students presented personal artifacts that are meaningful in their lives and represent something about their personality, culture, or family. Audience members took notes about what they found interesting, a connection they may have with the presenter, and a question they would save for the presenter at the conclusion of their presentation. Great job presenting for the first time in our class. Thank you for sharing.
Scavenger Hunt
Students find out how a scavenger hunt is related to exploring new lands while building communication skills that will be necessary for later group work.