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Applying KWL Guides to Sources with Elementary Students
What is a KWL chart? Here is a well thought-out lesson that has learners use KWL charts to gain historical perspective. Your class examines primary sources about historical events and identifies what they know, want to know, and,...
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Exploring Contrasts in "The Lanyard" by Billy Collins
Middle schoolers analyze the speaker's ideas and tone in the Billy Collins poem "The Lanyard." After identifying how each of the five senses is addressed in the poem, they compare images to draw conclusions about the speaker and his...
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Cartoons for the Classroom: Campaign Echoes
Get on those thinking caps, because your class is going to analyze a political cartoon related to the 2008 presidential elections. Included is a large image of the cartoon, background information, and three guiding questions which can be...
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Cartoons for the Classroom: Stand By for Regime Change
When Barak Obama was elected president, he was unable to affect change untill the official start date of January 20th. Learners examine this policy, America's need for change, and the duties of the president-elect in a political cartoon...
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The Portrayal of Women in Media
This is an awesome exercise. Learners use this worksheet as they examine an advertisement from a past decade (you need to provide). They answer five questions that aid them in analyzing the ad and the portrayal of women from that time...
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Cartoons for the Classroom: Mosque debate Intolerance vs. Insensitivity
Kids analyze a cartoon that deals with the hot-topic debate of whether a mosque should be erected two blocks from the place where the twin towers stood. They'll look critically at the techniques and symbolism used by the artist to convey...
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Seneca Falls Convention: Declaration of Sentiments
The Seneca Falls Convention was an amazing outlet for the female voice during the time of women's suffrage. Learners will read a short, but powerful excerpt from the Declaration of Sentiment, as spoken at the convention. They'll answer...
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Writing Exercises: World War II, #2
Comprehending the role of key players and events of WWII is a task all learners must undertake. Here, they respond to three critical thinking questions regarding the roles Roosevelt and Stalin played during the war as well as Germany's...
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Excerpt: Cecil Rhodes' Confession of Faith (1877)
Consider the words of Cecil Rhodes after reading this short excerpt from his publication, Confession of Faith. Upper graders read the excerpt then answer two questions analyzing the view of Africans toward his praise of British...
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Imperialism: J.A. Hobson (1902)
J.A. Hobson was a popular writer, economist, and critic of Imperialism. Learners will read a short excerpt from one of his publications and answer two, two-part questions regarding his views on Western imperialism in Asia. Tip: Ask your...
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9/11 Essay Questions
After reading about the events of September 11, 2001 learners can think critically with the aid of nine interesting questions. They answer each question in a full sentence and answer as if they were confronted with these questions at the...
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Compare and Contrast Knowledge of Vietnam War
Kids compare and contrast knowledge of the Vietnam War. They consider what they know and how their knowledge has changed after listening to oral histories from the war. They compare the understanding of the war from the perspective of...
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Comics for the Classroom: Addicted to Spending
Political comics can be a great way to get kids thinking critically about current political topics. They assess this cartoon and analyze how the cartoonist feels about US spending policy. There are three solid critical analysis questions...
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Writing Exercises: World War I, #1
After learning all about World War I, middle schoolers can delve into this writing exercise. They complete three short answer questions that ask them to describe the role of women in WWI, the role of technology in WWI, and four causes of...
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The Reformers: Martin Luther and César Chávez
Kids consider the characteristics needed to be reformers like Martin Luther King and Cesar Chavez. They read a series of quotes focused on both animal and human rights to answer eight critical thinking questions.
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Benito Juarez
Read and work to understand the words of Benito Juarez. An excerpt from the primary source document La Reforma is the focus of this learning exercise. Learners will read the excerpt, then answer three critical thinking questions.
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Same and Different Through Music and Art
This lesson is intended for a music class but would be a great way to teach compare and contrast to any class. Kindergarteners dance the Hokey Pokey to four different styles of music and examine two paintings of Humpty Dumpty, then...
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Structured Academic Controversy (SAC) in the History Classroom
SAC is a specific approach to discussing history and controversial issues. Rather than adhering to an either/or debate-style paradigm, it fosters speaking and constructivist listening to enable learners to build consensus through...
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The Third Estate
Kids read a translated version of Abbe Sieyes' document, The Third Estate. This document is shown in its original form and as an English translation. After reading the text they answer three critical thinking question to show their...
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Cartoons for the Classroom: Loosing Patients with the Recovery
Upper graders examine this political cartoon in order to better understand feelings toward the economic recovery. There are three discussion questions to accent the learning.
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Cartoon Analysis Worksheet
Analyzing political cartoons just got easier! This handout includes ten questions intended to aid learners as they embark on a cartoon analysis. They look at visuals, written text, action, and symbolism found in the cartoon.
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Teens Making a Difference
Is your opinion significant? Help your class discover the influence their opinions hold and encourage them to make a positive change in their community. To start, they get in teams and brainstorm why their school should have more healthy...
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Comics for the Classroom: Debt Ceiling
Upper graders examine the clichés that accompany this political cartoon, depicting how various people handle the national debt. They review several clichés quoted in recent times and write a 1-2 paragraph analysis of each.
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Slave Resistance
These historical scenarios are designed to aid the class understand how slaves resisted their masters. They are presented with six scenarios which they then respond to by describing how they would resisted slavery in each situation. This...