$5 - $10 12th Grade Critical Thinking Google Apps

Teachers know it is important to allow students to reflect on their strengths and weaknesses so they can grow and improve. I created these reflection sheets to make it easy! I simply print these reflections out at the end of each Marking Period and have students reflect on their grade as well as the quality of work they turned in. They then describe how they can improve as we begin the next Marking Period. Reflection sheets are also included in case your school uses Quarters or Trimesters.

Interactive Notebooks are an effective, creative & engaging way to encourage your students to take an active role in their learning process. This unit on U.S. Imperialism will invite students to take a journey through time—having them critically explore colonialism from a variety of perspectives through the analysis of primary sourced based materials. Students will demonstrate their understandings through hands-on projects and discussion pieces. The graphic organizers and foldables in this resource are designed to be folded, cut, glued, & written upon in effort to enhance your instruction of history. A summative multiple choice assessment is included!

Materials:

• Teacher Reference Guide
• Slide Presentation (91 Slides) with video clips
• Interactive Notebook Student Handouts
• Secondary Sources: ‘A Peoples’ History’ & a chapter from U.S. Textbook
• Unit Exam & Answer Key

Time Frame:

• 1.5 weeks

Topics covered include:

• Japan- ‘Gunboat Diplomacy’
• Alaska- Seward’s Purchase
• Hawaii- Annexation
• Midway Islands
• Cuba- Spanish American War
• Philippines
• Panama Canal & the Obstacles
• China- The Open Door Policy

If you liked this lesson see other related lessons here:

• Native American Residential Schools in the U.S. (Gallery Walk Activity)
• RETHINKING HISTORY- Through the Narratives of Christopher Columbus
• The 'Bill of Rights' Time Travel
• Westward Expansion & the Transcontinental Railway: Exploring Perspectives
• The Cold War and Vietnam

United States Imperialism

Students will go back into time (1950s & 60s) and;

• Analyze primary sources & make conclusions about various events. 
• Recognize how American life and culture changed throughout the decade.
• Identify specific examples of ‘conformity’ and ‘counter-culture’ & its’ causal relationships. 

FOUR Optional Historical Thinking activities include;

CHOICE #1: Analyze 1950s T.V shows/commercials

• How does this TV show define or portray family?
• In what ways does the show reinforce cultural codes or stereotypes of the American Family?
• What messages or underlying themes does the TV show mostly want its viewers to understand? How do you know?

CHOICE #2: Debate Women’s Beauty Pageants

• How does this TV show define or portray family?
• According to this source, why are some women protesting the ‘Miss World Beauty Pageant’?
• Be prepared to analyze a statement on the next slide, & formulate a supporting argument.

CHOICE #3: Compare teenagers Pre-WWII V. 1950s

• Analyze primary sources that depict teenagers before World War II and in the 1950s.
• For each set of images, you will consider the questions & draw comparisons.

CHOICE #4: Consumer Simulation- Sears Catalog

• Ss will go back into time (1956) & will have purchased a brand new Levittown home! Upon moving to the suburbs, they will need to fill their home with clothes & furniture using the Sears Catalog. Be careful with the budget as life events & circumstances can change!

This Resource Includes:

• Teacher Reference Guide
• 66 Google Slide Presentation & Guided Notes (Answer Key)
• Four Optional Extension Activities
• Sears Catalog

If you liked this lesson see other related lessons & activities here:

• Protest Movements of the 1960's: E-Chapter Textbook Project
• César Chavez: Analyzing Primary Sources
• The Cold War and Vietnam
• Hot War Turns into the Cold War