In this lesson on the Spanish American War from Historical Thinking Matters, students will explore sources, webquests, and activities designed to help in answering the following essay question: "The explosion of the U.S.S. Maine caused the United States to invade Cuba in 1898. Use the documents provided and your own knowledge to evaluate this statement. Do you agree with this explanation of the causes of the Spanish American War? Why or why not? Use and cite evidence from the documents to support your analysis of this statement.”

In this activity, students use a storyboard to create a character reference log. This log will allow students to recall relevant information about important characters as the plot progresses.

This lesson offers a series of activities that allow students to explore and interact with poetry by writing letters to poets.

Students create a notice of a lost pet flyer in Microsoft Word to practice creating, revising, and retrieving information.

In this lesson, students will focus on the task, purpose, and audience of The Autobiography of Malcolm X and begin creating a statement of purpose for their own writing. Students will be introduced to Accountable Independent Writing.

Students examine the impact of digital technology on print journalism and develop creative ideas for delivering news

In this lesson, students examine the impact of digital technology on print journalism and develop creative ideas for delivering news

In this lesson, students draw from their research and analysis in order to shape an organized, evidence-based perspective for their writing.

Objectives:

To create a professional Senior Leadership ePortfolio


To collaborate and discuss what makes a successful portfolio


To peer review portfolios using mindful and effective feedback

Essential Question:

What makes a successful portfolio?

What can I do to make my portfolio successful and professional?

In this extensive unit, students will work together to research and explore translated poems and their authors.

This cross-curriculum lesson includes instruction and resources on politcal satire. The culminating activity has students either write, act, or draw their own political satire piece.

This lesson addresses rhetorical strategies President Kennedy used in his inaugural address in 1961. This reading can come to life and be used to address good writing skills.

Students employ the screenwriter's craft to gain a fresh perspective on historical research, learning how filmmakers combine scholarship and imagination to bring historical figures to life and how the demands of cinematic storytelling can shape our view of the past.

As senior leaders, students will begin making their mark on the professional world by creating their own ePortfolio.  As the introduction day, students will begin exploring different blog platforms while weighing the pros and cons of having an online portfolio.  Once students have decided on a platform of their choice (Weebly or Wix), they will begin setting up their "About Me" page.  Through the ePortfolio students will be able to reflect on their learning, practice using technology, and write to make a professional name for themselves.

In these lessons from Historical Thinking Matters, students learn to read more analytically as they investigate the causes of the Spanish-American War. After hypothesizing causes for the war, they test their hypotheses using successive sets of documents. They answer the notebook questions for these documents and consider how each informs the inquiry question. Using historian think-alouds from the site, the teacher can model a historical read of particular passages. Finally, students practice these new ways of reading with a document they find in a directed webquest. *The lessons are made available in 3 options: 1 Day, 3 Day or 5 Day. The 5 Day version includes an essay assignment with instructions on thesis writing.

The Stapleless Book is designed to allow users to create with ease an eight-page book simply by folding and cutting. No tape or staples are required. Students and teachers alike can use the Stapleless Book for taking notes while reading, making picture books, collecting facts, or creating vocabulary booklets. Students can choose from seven different layouts for the pages of their books

Students examine the state of the print newspaper industry, then debate its future.

In this lesson, students examine the state of the print newspaper industry, then debate its future.

A teacher's guide to Zora Neale Hurston's novel Their Eyes Were Watching God. Includes chapter discussion questions, activities, writing assignments and vocabulary.