7th Grade Critical Thinking Interactive Notebooks

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

If you're ready to add a little flare to your next classroom lesson, this might be the one for you! The Case of Respectfully Problem Solving brings a whole new level to working together, creative thinking and perspective shifting, as well as small group problem solving, listening, and working together! It is a whole lot of social-emotional learning in one fun activity! This digit download includes 12 pages with everything you need and specific instructions on just how to use it! There are a whole lot of teachable and "ah-ha" moments packed into one activity.

Make it even more fun and package their materials in a "Top Secret" Folder! My students loved being able to work together on this activity, but also enjoyed the individual creative thinking that came with it. It was a blast for all! If you are looking to reduce your paper usage, this is a great activity where you could print and laminate some of the activity sheets to use at a later time as well - only printing what you need to re-use (the sheets that students will write on!) Easy prep - lots of fun - many skills practiced!