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Social Studies Teachers Chatboard

Grade 8 Social Studies class (Canada) Ideas to spice it up?

by Christina

Dec 20, 2010

Hello, I am a first year grade 8 teacher (I teach English, math, science, social studies, art) for the same group of kids.I really want my kids to have more fun with their learning but its hard to balance my time to plan great activities and to cover material. They are lower level --problems reading for example. Another issue is a lack of materials...See More

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Lynde Hi, me again. As I said earlier post, I too teach on a reservation here in the states. So, I'm teaching the same history you are. Just a few possibilities to suggest.

1. Our students are completely uninterested in learning about any tribal-nation excdept for their own. So, over the years, I've learned the hard way to begin with THEM. Focus...See MoreHi, me again. As I said earlier post, I too teach on a reservation here in the states. So, I'm teaching the same history you are. Just a few possibilities to suggest.

1. Our students are completely uninterested in learning about any tribal-nation excdept for their own. So, over the years, I've learned the hard way to begin with THEM. Focus on the cultural traditions, as well as on the cultural values and as much history as is known. Then use their own sociological/cultural profile to compare to other tribal- nations. I use a Graphic Orgahnizer chart of the various basic components of a culture (Food; Shelter; Transportation; Religion/Spirituality; Core Values; Traditions of Noteworthiness; Art/Music/Dance; Writing/LIterature, etc. I think I'm forgetting a couple of things, but you know what I mean anyway. Then start comparing. I've had the most success with putting up large-size poster paper on the walls, assigning a partner-pair or trio to research the followintg 5 tribes in terms of their shelter (anothr group does the art/music/dance)k, etc. Then record their information on the large wall chart. Keepsw expenses down, and gives the kids a chance to get up and move around a bit. Also chunks the material down for the kids. Also, this cuts down on the time allocated to this unit as well. Since you need to catch up before the year is out, perhaps.

2. I've done hundreds of web-quests of just about every kind there is. A pain if there ever was one. Make it simple. Sinced technology is limited, try projecting onto classroom screen, and have studednts work together as a whole clss to create a Museum Display of the topic (Egypt is a really good one since most kids already know alot about Egypt). Click on Google Images, call up a bunch of pictures of whatever cultural icon you're thinking of (canope jars, for example),l and let the kids vote for which picture they think is the best. Get them to tell you why Pictgure #4 is better than Picture #6. Helps to get them to evaluate why one is better color, or more informative, or a better view, or more complete, or more "real," or more whatever. Then put their selections into a pwoer-point, and then work with the kids one slide at a time to caption. Have THEM do it under your guidance (wait a minute, something is wrong with what you juswt had be type. Who knows what it is? An animal cracker for whoever figures out what's wrong. Yep, you got it--you didn't tell me to capitalze the first word.

3. If you want to use photocopied materials of information, jig-saw small chunks of it. Group #1 (best if partner-pairs) must read Paragraph 4 to find the Main Idea or the answer to the Essential Question or the answer to the "List the 3 reasons why...." Group #2 has their own question or two or three for Paragraph X. Keep it simple, and SHORT. Then Share & Compare.

4. Another idea which I've used alot, is to project images of the topic (a particular Tribal Nation for example) and then ask the kids to examine the image and identify how this partiuclar image illustrates how the tribe provided for food, or shelter, or whatever.

Or, ask them what they can "infer" from the image. Do these people look like they're hunters? Warrior Society? Farmers? Fishermen? What do you think they had available to them in their terrirorty for natural resources/ What might they have had to trade with? Who wouold they have traded with/ Map it out.

Activate Prior Knowledge: What do we think of when we think of the X tribe? Why do you think they would have used clay for their x? Etc.

Hope this helps. You can always do web-quests of searching for information (for low performers, I wouold never tell them to "go find out about" cultural aspect X. I wouold give them a lsit of 5-6 specific questionsd they shouold search for. Then have them prepare a power-point illustrating their answers, or write a summarizing paragraph. But what's better for low-performing kids is to have themn prepare a power- point which illustrates a Main Idea. Many tribal nations used ceremony to keep in touch with their inner spirit. Find at least 5 primary/secondary sources (writings; images) which illustrate this. All tribal nations used whatever was available in their immediate environment to build their homes. Illustrate the different ways that some nations used natural resources in this way.

5. I know these kids have reading problems, so it's always a challenge. But they still need to try to read and try to write. So one thing I've done is to show them several images on power-point, and then have them write/reflect about what they saw, or what do we now know about this tribal nation based upon this set of images. Make them write at least five sentences. Then have them go back and re-write emphasizing good paragraph structure, the bsics of caps, punct., etc. You might try peer-editing if they'll go for it.

Hope this helps to give you some ideas.

On 12/20/10, Christina wrote: > Hello, > I am a first year grade 8 teacher (I teach English, math, > science, social studies, art) for the same group of kids.I > really want my kids to have more fun with their learning but > its hard to balance my time to plan great activities and to > cover material. They are lower level --problems reading for > example. Another issue is a lack of materials. Also is a > lack of technology. > > Due to an illness we have been off for 4 weeks plus 2 weeks > for Christmas vacation. Which kills me in terms of curriculum. > > We had just started looking at migration and land bridge theory. > > Any ideas how to jazz it up? > > Next is First Nations groups (I have a lot of dry pages and > not a lot of activities or questions yet), then we will do > the Ancient Greeks and Ancient Egypt in which I just bought > two good books at a teacher supply book which should be > helpful. Then I think we have to do the Middle Ages- got > some materials. > > I was thinking of possibly doing a computer-based project or > a webquest (which is a challenge due to a lack of > technology) but I want to try it out. > > I am also thinking of starting with a smaller project--like > I might gather materials on some First Nations groups > (photocopy and pass it to them) and getting them to do some > sort of project on it (brings in English too) looking at how > to do jot notes and a bibliography for example. > > What about the idea of a pamphlet that talks about a First > Nations group ??(if they drew pictures or maps- there is art > too) or a graph (map)LOL! This wouldn't take a lot of > materials (white paper, colored pencils, even construction > paper) either.

Dec 21, 2010

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Kev I've got a ton of generic history assignments that can apply to just about any topic on my website.

They are high interest and built around the idea of multiple intelligences. I've used them with gifted kids as well as non-English speakers and they have worked well with all of them. Feel free to take as desired.

Dec 29, 2010

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How to teach map skills?

by Christina

Dec 20, 2010

Hello,

Its my first year teaching grade 8 (lower level, please keep in mind).

I do have a class set of atlases but they are all different kinds so there are alot of different pages, pictures etc. And I have very little materials and supplies and no projector, etc.(isolated first nations community).

What do you think are v...See More

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jason On 12/29/10, Kev wrote: > The vital terms to know when using a map are "driving > directions, and printable version." > > Honestly, I'm not sure why we teach map reading any more [Full > disclosure, I'm not sure why we ever taught it really.] It > really is a relic and there's no reason for kids to care about > it so why would ...See More

Jan 5, 2011

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Kev On 1/05/11, jason wrote: > On 12/29/10, Kev wrote: >> The vital terms to know when using a map are "driving >> directions, and printable version." >> >> Honestly, I'm not sure why we teach map reading any more [Full >> disclosure, I'm not sure why we ever taught it really.] It >> really is a relic and there's ...See More

Jan 6, 2011

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IEP Annual Goal

by IVO

Dec 26, 2010

Below is a sample annual goal I came up with. Can someone please critique this and give me some feedback ?

The area of study is social studies

The student is in middle school

The student is Learning Disabled.

The student has language problems

Technology will be addressed in the IEP

Through...See More

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Ivo Thank you very much for your critique. Actually I am trying to come up with an annual goal in the field of social studies. This is a 14-yr old LD student reading at 6th grade. I have attempted to incorporate technology. In addition, I tried to address language concerns on the part of the student. Do you have any sample goals in the area of social s...See More

Dec 26, 2010

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Sara On 12/26/10, IVO wrote: > Below is a sample annual goal I came up with. Can someone > please critique this and give me some feedback ? > > The area of study is social studies > > The student is in middle school > > The student is Learning Disabled. > > The student has language problems > > Technology will be addr...See More

Dec 28, 2010

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Happy New Year and newsletter!

by Trish

Dec 30, 2010

Happy New Year from your Social Studies sponsor LEAD USA! Our end of the year newsletter is done! To sign up for our quarterly newsletter send an e mail to [email removed]!

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NEH Crossroads Summer program for school teachers

by Allison Violante

Jan 2, 2011

I am the project coordinator for the NEH summer program at Niagara University in Niagara Falls, New York. The NEH has been given a grant for a summer program for school teachers. Upon completion of this program a $1200.00 stipend is yours to help with travel expenses. March 1, 2011 is the deadline to apply for this program. The dates of the program...See More

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Good Vietnam video for U.S. Hist?

by Dan

Jan 4, 2011

Does anyone know of a really good Vietnam War video that is a summary of the war and is less than 1 hour in lenght??

Thanks. Dan

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Marta Learman On 1/04/11, Dan wrote: > Does anyone know of a really good Vietnam War video that is > a summary of the war and is less than 1 hour in lenght?? > > Thanks. > Dan Hi Dan, I thought I was being helpful but maybe not if you are pressed for time. Dear America, Letters Home from Vietnam is a little longer than an hour but it is amazing. T...See More

Jan 26, 2011

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Cultural programs & in-house field trips

by Rolling Thunder Enterprises

Jan 7, 2011

Dear Educator,

Please read the attached information pertaining to a cultural showcase that lends to the best of edutainment programming and in-house field trip alternatives.

With the winter lockdown contributing to cabin fever within our homes and schools, teachers and program directors are becoming anxious and creative in their...See More

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Has anyone taken the GACE Behavioral Science (Psych)?

by Glenn

Jan 12, 2011

Hello, I am having to take the behavioral Science Gace examination but cannot find a GACE study guide for that exam. Has anyone taken it? Was it terribly difficult? Was the second part mostly cultural anthropology or physical? Sociology? Please help.

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foreign classroom collaboration

by jamie

Jan 12, 2011

Interested in finding a foreign classroom (GMT-6) in Canada or Belize to complete cooperative/collaborative projects. Any suggestions?

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History for Music Lovers

by Jeff

Jan 13, 2011

I ran across a great YouTube page today that has world history videos set to popular music. Chinese Dynasties, King Tut, the French Revolution are just a few of the topics. Really worth a look.

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Kev I adore this. Thank you!

On 1/13/11, Jeff wrote: > I ran across a great YouTube page today that has world > history videos set to popular music. Chinese Dynasties, > King Tut, the French Revolution are just a few of the > topics. Really worth a look.

Jan 26, 2011

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