Chicken Foot

graphic organizer, historical thinking, lesson plans, literacy, Megan Klassen, primary sources, reading, , , ,

A great activity I like to use with my students is called “Chicken Foot”.

  1. They love the name.
  2. It’s a good way to teach students to pick out the main points of a text, primary source document, picture, etc.

I learned this strategy at a Pre-AP Summer Institute I went to in 2010 in Norman, Oklahoma. After viewing the document, students write the main idea on the “leg”, then they pick three points or elements of the text that the students feel are super important and that everyone needs to know about the document. They write the three main points on the “toes” (if that’s what they are!). Continue reading Chicken Foot →

EDSITEment, ThinkFinity, and sweet literacy resources

common core, Glenn Wiebe, lesson plans, literacy, websites, ,

Okay.

Raise of hands. How many of you use EDSITEment? How about ThinkFinity?

When I ask teachers around the country this question, I often get a bunch of blank stares. If you do use these two sites, sweet. If you don’t, you need to jump on board. Cause they’re both awesome sites for teachers. Continue reading EDSITEment, ThinkFinity, and sweet literacy resources →

So I asked my eleven year old, “What is History?”

Brad Burenheide, historical thinking, history, ,

As I begin the transition from summer to fall semesters (I know it is way too soon!), I decided to think about how I can start my methods course.  I have my own set of ‘willing’ lab rats at home and I cornered my sixth grader and asked the question in the title of this post.  The reply was what I expected…  Continue reading So I asked my eleven year old, “What is History?” →

Technology and Current Events

Cassie Medley, graphic organizer, ipad, lesson plans, literacy, websites

This past year my school district purchased several iPad and MacBook carts for our school and really pushed technology in the classroom.  I wanted to create a way for students to complete current events products using this new technology that went beyond simply searching for an article and printing it off.  What I found was a great website called Smore where you can create a variety of online flyers. Continue reading Technology and Current Events →

HGSS + KCCRS = Integrated Lessons

common core, historical thinking, Mary Madden, professional development, standards, ,

I spent last Friday at a workshop in Salina with a group of fifty dedicated teachers learning how to implement the new History, Government, and Social Studies standards in their districts. It was “training the trainers” as districts look at writing curriculum and implementing best practices, literacy expectations, standards and benchmarks. Continue reading HGSS + KCCRS = Integrated Lessons →