Free 8th Grade Social Studies & History Resources

Did you know there are 12 disciplines within social studies? This READY TO PRINT AND USE FREE RESOURCE introduces students to the different social studies and the roles of social scientists.

This resource includes:

• A note taking worksheet about the twelve social studies
• A worksheet on roles of social scientists
• A social studies maze
• A social studies crossword puzzle
• Answer keys for each activity

This is a great option for early finishers, review over Europe, an assignment that can be left for a substitute, or a worksheet that can be quickly copied and distributed to students when you're in a pinch.

The students will use the clues to figure out which European country they are visiting.

I designed this with the intention that students do online research and have access to a map of the region.

THIS PRODUCT INCLUDES:

• 1 Student Worksheet
• 1 Answer Key

I do my best to make sure every product is free of typos or mistakes, but please feel free to message me with any corrections or concerns.

This activity helps you to teach longitude, latitude, and grid lines by creating a treasure map.

Super simple but sends a huge message!

This includes:

2 PDF files - one in black and white and the other in rainbow

Credit to fonts given in terms of use.

Free download for phase 1 of planning a concept-based lesson by Lynn Erickson's teaching theory. Download and brainstorm an essential question.

Visit our Blog How To Teach Geography

There is no correct way to teach geography, but there are some best practices. When I began my teaching career in geography 26 years ago in Memphis City Schools, Memphis, TN, the district was focused on concept-based teaching — teaching to the big ideas & conceptual-based learning based upon Lynn Erikson's concept-based instruction. At first, I found it very challenging to implement this strategy into my lessons as it was a new concept and it significantly varied from the way we had all been presenting content to our students. It took persistence; it took patience, but I believe it was a huge part of why my students enjoyed geography and were able to grasp it. An example of this would be teaching the concept of "human population" and then applying this concept to world population ideas and issues throughout the world such as:

Push and pull factors of migration

Cartograms, and population density maps

Causes and outcomes of population growth and decline

China's one-child policies due to overpopulation

Africa's population decline

Europe's population decline, etc.

This conceptual-based learning worked well, and students were learning and grasping the concepts and material. It required me to spend more time on the concept with my students, but it gave them a BIG PICTURE of how variables affect population and how population trends work and are influenced. It made them think at higher levels preparing their pathways for high-level learning and working to strengthen their brain connectivity. It gave them a different viewpoint of looking at geography, rather than focusing on one small concept at a time.

Just to give you an idea of how I would/do begin planning each concept-based lesson, I would begin with a brainstorming bubble, and in the center circle, I would type in an essential question. All an essential question (they always have to use big terminology) is an open-ended question that educators use to spark student interest. I say, let' not make this harder than it has to be.

Here are examples of essential questions specific to geography:

How have Revolutions impacted our world? (This could be taking a look at the meaning behind "revolution" and empowering student understanding of this "concept" through discussing many different types of revolutions such as the American Revolution, the Industrial Revolution in the United States and Europe, the Russian Revolution, the Cultural Revolution, the Sudanese Revolution, and the Chinese Revolution of 1949.)

Does music create culture, or vice versa?

Who is an American?

How can learning about other cultures teach us about our own?

What is the relationship between climate and natural resources?

Need an idea for an essential question? There is so much information today on essential questions than there was when I first started teaching. Simply, type into your search engine: "Essential questions for geography." and then align it with your curriculum. Others have "essentially" (no pun intended) done this work for you over the years.

☑ For secondary, middle school and high school students☑Check out the preview to see what is included.

Visit our store Geography & Math Made Easy to view other related resources.

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Great for independent research in any geography or social studies class! Students choose a country of the world and find information using Internet, resources, etc.

Looking for more fun and engaging activities for your classroom? Check out these resources:

• History Makers Trading Cards - Research Activity and Classroom Game! - Students research historic figures and create trading cards, fostering creativity and critical thinking in history classrooms!

• The Fly Swatter Game! - An interactive vocabulary review game for any subject that is sure to be a class favorite!

• Exploring Empires! World History Research Project - students explore every aspect of a historic empire by conducting research, creating a visual representation, and presenting their findings to the class!

• U.S. & World History - Crossword and Word Search Bundle - Reinforce and review key terms in your classroom with 110 crossword and word search puzzles for both U.S. History and World History Classrooms!

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Introduce your students to MLK with these five word puzzles (word search, double word, crossword, maze, word scrambles, posters) with solutions. Individual or group activities to reinforce concepts learned for Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday.

Use this simple EQ and summary worksheet for students to summarize learning from a text, socratic seminar, digital media, lecture etc.

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*Note this product may be used in brick and mortar classes as well as virtual systems like Outschool

Dive into the captivating history of Halloween with this comprehensive, FREE resource designed for middle and high school students.  This freebie includes a detailed reading passage on the origins, symbols, and global celebrations of Halloween, complete with engaging questions and guided note-taking sheets to reinforce learning.  Whether you’re exploring the cultural significance or dispelling common misconceptions, this resource is perfect for helping students develop a deeper understanding of Halloween.  Ideal for use in history, social studies, or language arts classrooms, this set is fully ready to use, with no preparation required.

Use this resource to learn how to ChatGPT can help you claim back hours of work for a better work life balance when preparing time and delivering history to your students. How you can more quickly develop interesting and differentiated resources to cater for all your students, even on the fly in the classroom.

Find inspiration in the processes shared and gain insights into how ChatGPT can transform your teaching practice

This resource includes;
Sample . preview pages from the full book (Limited due to Amazon conditions)
The book is free if you have Kindle Unlimited

The full book is available from Amazon:
https://bit.ly/3Mnp1DM

Or for a small investment you can reclaim back hours of normal preparation time.

What the eBook covers to help you reclaim time and get a better work life balance:

"ChatGPT for History Teachers" is a valuable resource for educators seeking to unlock the full potential of A.I. in the classroom. Written in a clear and engaging style, this book empowers history teachers to harness the power of ChatGPT and revolutionise their teaching practice. By embracing A.I., you'll create immersive learning experiences, foster critical thinking skills, and ignite a passion for history in your students.

Discover the power of artificial intelligence in the classroom with "ChatGPT for History Teachers." This comprehensive guide equips history teachers with the foundational skills needed to integrate ChatGPT, a cutting-edge language model, into their teaching practice. Whether you're a seasoned educator or just starting your teaching journey, this book will empower you to harness the potential of A.I. to create more engaging, efficient, and personalised learning experiences for your students.

Chapter 1: Understanding ChatGPT, where you'll gain an overview of how to use ChatGPT, its potential benefits, and how it can enhance your teaching practice. Dive deeper into Chapter 2: Getting Started with ChatGPT, where you'll learn how to set up an account, navigate the interface, and engage with the A.I. through various modes of interaction.

Chapter 3: Using ChatGPT as a Research Assistant shows you how to leverage ChatGPT's capabilities to assist with research tasks, generate content, and access historical information with ease. Learn how to create historical timelines in Chapter 4, allowing you to cater to different literacy levels and provide targeted support for student learning.

Chapter 5: Advanced Techniques and Classroom Applications takes you to the next level, showcasing how ChatGPT can be used to create interactive historical scenarios, facilitate formative assessment, and personalise learning experiences for students with different abilities and learning styles. Explore the ethical considerations and limitations of using A.I. in education in Chapter 6.

As you progress, the book highlights the experiences of real history teachers who have successfully integrated ChatGPT into their classrooms. Case studies provide practical examples of how ChatGPT can enhance teaching and learning. Journey alongside Socrates as he discovers the power of personalised learning, formative assessment, and research and writing support through ChatGPT.

Chapter 8: Future Directions and Conclusion, explore the exciting possibilities of using A.I. in education. Discover emerging trends and the potential for advancements in the field, including the integration of image, speech, and animation A.I. in history education.

While teaching remedial math, I found my students were struggling with the "Characteristics" block of the Frayer Model, so I modified it into a triangle. I've included a point "UP" and a point "DOWN" version. They stack nicely with one another to create a unique WordWall.

#kilefree

Have your students create a trading card for historical figures! Research a famous person and create a trading card to share important information about what they learn! A quick and free activity!

More Great Products from Kile's Classroom

6 Traits Writing Bundle .

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Interactive Word Wall.

Elements of Plot.

Writing Graphic Organizers.

Each worksheet includes additional questions on the front side, a writing activity or table to complete, on the backside some include a PRIMARY SOURCE or an ART ACTIVITY or an INTERACTIVE WRITING PROMPT. ANSWER KEY INCLUDED.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE VIDEO: https://youtu.be/BPoPVo1-nnE

Do you need a fun poster for St Patrick's Day? Do you want to motivate your students? Then download this St Patrick's Day Bulletin Board Poster FREEBIE! The perfect way to celebrate St Patrick's Day is with this adorable mini poster. Perfect for your bulletin board, door, or whiteboard.

No prep - print on 8.5 X 11 paper and hang!

Check out the full bulletin board here: St Patrick's Day Bulletin Board

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❤ Other Resources You'll LOVE:

St Patrick's Day WebQuest

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Black history month ,coloring pages, quotes pages

Delve into the brilliance of Black history with our captivating Black History Month Coloring Pages and Quotes bundle! Tailored for young learners, this set features 5 captivating pages highlighting iconic figures like Robert Nesta Marley, Toni Morrison, Jay-Z, Barbara Jordan, and Erykah Badu. Each page offers profound quotes and fascinating stories, creating an interactive learning experience. Our resource is perfect for Black History Month and year-round exploration, promoting inclusivity and understanding. Choose our Black History Coloring Pages with Quotes for proven engagement, consistent quality, and diverse representation. Immerse students in the richness of Black history, sparking curiosity, creativity, and honoring the vibrant legacies of extraordinary individuals.

Use this any person report page to develop early research skills with your child/student.Research using the internet or print material

of your choice.

The year is 1956. You & your partner have taken advantage of new economic conditions & purchased a suburban home. Upon moving to the suburbs, you find you need to fill your home with clothes & furniture. 

Use the Sears catalog provided to fill your home. The average monthly income in the USA in 1955 was $360. Let’s say you & your partner have been saving, and have a savings account of $600. The mortgage payment on your home is $60 per month, & let's say you use $40 per month for groceries. That leaves you with $500 to spend for the month!

Fill out the provided order sheet with the products you want to buy, and their prices. Do not spend more than $500, because then you will end up in debt! Beware–life events and circumstances happen, so adjust accordingly!

This Resource Includes:

• Teacher Reference Guide
• Google Slide Presentation
• Sears Catalog Student Handout
• Life Event Cards
• 1956 Sears Catalog (Printable & digital versions)

*If you would like to purchase the entire lesson CLICK BELOW!

1950s & 60s: Conformity or Rebellion (Counter-culture)?

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

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.

Analyzing primary sources is a great way to bring history to life! This ABC Primary Source Analysis sheet is ready to use with any primary source, just print!

This FREE resource includes:

• The ABC's of Primary Source Analysis two page printable guide
• The ABC's of Primary Source Analysis two page student worksheet

This can be used as an introduction to Primary Sources, in centers or stations, for independent analysis, extension and enrichment, as tools of comparison, with Document Based Questions, and so many more!

Our brains get tired! Sometimes, they simply need a quick break!

This geography "Religion Word Search" Brain Break may be just what you need.

➡ ➡ Follow our page here for more brain breaks and free resources. ⬅⬅

Brain breaks can be used as transitions, breaks in the middle of an activity, something to raise or lower the energy of the group, team-building activities, and more! It is helpful to use these before fatigue, boredom, distraction, and inattention set in!

Research has indicated that brain breaks can help improve self-efficiency in the learning process. They also improve short-term memory, self-awareness, and the learners' knowledge.

This can be used and modified for 5th grade through 12th grade depending on your students' learning ability.

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Disclaimer:

One purchase is good for one teacher. If additional teachers would like to use this, please purchase additional licenses.