Free 7th Grade Social Studies & History PowerPoint Presentations

This resource is a template for a 90 Second Social Studies assignment that includes 27 ready to edit slides on the American Amendments

What is a 90 Second Social Studies Assignment?

90 Second Social Studies Assignments introduce students to a large amount of information in a relatively short amount of time. The 90 second time limit serves as both a way to keep students on task, and to promote the idea of summarizing key details. 90 Second Social Studies Assignments can cover concepts, historical figures, landmarks, and events. 

Why does this assignment use Google Slides?

One of the issues with student presentations is the transition time between student presenters. When the presentations are all on the same google slide, transitions become seamless. Google Slides also enables students to work simultaneously on the assignment, and for teachers to observe edits and work in real time.

Today in History Daily Warm-Up Instructions:

Image Observation:

Display a historical image related to the day's date or a significant event in history.

Instruct students to carefully observe the details in the image without providing any background information.

Individual Inference:

Ask students to individually jot down their inferences about what they think might be happening in the image.

Encourage them to consider details such as clothing, setting, facial expressions, and any other relevant visual cues.

Partner Discussion:

Pair up students and have them share their individual inferences with their partners.

Prompt partners to discuss and compare their interpretations, encouraging them to consider different perspectives.

Collaborative Inference:

Bring the class back together and facilitate a collaborative discussion.

Select a few pairs to share their inferences with the entire class.

Encourage students to consider diverse interpretations and discuss any common themes or differences in their observations.

Historical Context:

After the collaborative discussion, provide some historical context or information about the image.

Discuss how the actual events align or differ from the students' inferences.

Benefits for Students:

Critical Thinking Skills:

Analyzing historical images promotes critical thinking as students must observe details, make connections, and draw conclusions.

Inference and Interpretation:

Making inferences based on visual cues enhances students' ability to interpret information and think beyond the surface.

Collaborative Learning:

Partner and class discussions foster collaborative learning, allowing students to share and refine their ideas through dialogue.

Engagement with History:

Connecting historical events to visual stimuli makes history more tangible and relatable for students, increasing their interest and engagement.

Communication Skills:

Sharing inferences with partners and the class improves communication skills and helps students articulate their thoughts effectively.

Diverse Perspectives:

Encouraging students to consider different interpretations promotes an appreciation for diverse perspectives and helps them understand that history can be viewed from various angles.

Contextual Learning:

Providing historical context after the activity solidifies students' understanding, reinforcing the connection between visual stimuli and historical events.

By incorporating this activity into the daily warm-up routine, students can develop a deeper appreciation for history, enhance their analytical skills, and actively engage with the learning process.