8th Grade Other (Social Studies & History) Activities

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!

This passage and assortment of activities are an engaging and accessible way for your students to strengthen their knowledge of the human geography of Europe!

THIS PRODUCT INCLUDES:

• The Human Geography of Europe Passage (3 pages)
• 15 Multiple Choice Questions
• 5 Short Answer Questions
• 9 Choice Board Extension Activities
• Answer Keys
• Link to Digital Version

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.

Engaging History Activity Before Halloween:

It is difficult to keep students engaged before a holiday and kids love Halloween. This escape room can have students focus their Halloween excitement to learn about the history of Halloween Traditions. They can work with a partner, a team, or by themselves to complete activities focused on five Halloween Tradition topics: Jack o' Lanterns, Trick or Treat, Halloween Candy, Halloween Costumes, and Haunted House. The Haunted House activity has two options: one which mentions decapitation and death masks, the other is not as macabre. Each activity contains topical information and student instructions.

Students will complete the following types of activities:

• maze
• puzzle
• code breaking
• map
• timeline

Teachers can choose to have students check their work after they finish each challenge in order to earn parts of a puzzle. Completed puzzles could be turned in for prizes. There is also a completed prize card provided.

Students can work at their own pace as teachers have topic labels which can be displayed throughout the classroom to show students where to find their next challenge.

When the challenge is complete, students can complete follow up questions to review the information they have learned about Halloween Traditions. The questions review what students have learned as well as having students make connections with prior their knowledge. These could be used as written assignments or to lead class discussion.

What's included:

• Teacher instructions.
• Challenge templates.
• Code recording sheet (two sizes).
• Prize card (b&w and color).
• Prize puzzle (b&w and color).
• Topic labels.
• Answer keys.
• Follow up questions.
• Digital activity link.

How is this product useful:

• Low prep for teacher.
• Easy to assign digital option.
• Engaging for students.
• Good pre-holiday activity.
• Questions help students make connections.

This product is notes over the Basic Facts of East Asia. It includes topics such as largest and smallest country, largest cities, geographical extremes, regional facts, and regional landmarks. The notes and fill in the blanks are in PDF form. A link to a google slides that you can make a copy of is included at the end of the notes section.

Elevate classroom discussions with this comprehensive Habits of Discourse Lesson Plan and Graphic Organizer! Designed for middle school humanities teachers, this resource provides everything you need to foster meaningful, respectful, and structured conversations in your classroom. Whether you're working on developing your students' verbal communication skills or introducing them to nonverbal signals, this resource is your go-to tool for teaching effective discourse habits.

Why This Resource is Essential:

• Promotes Structured Communication: Teach students how to engage in Turn and Talk, Table Talk, and Whole Class Talk with clear expectations for what each form of discourse "Looks like," "Sounds like," and "Feels like."
• Develops Critical Thinking: Encourages students to express their ideas, listen actively, and respond thoughtfully, building a strong foundation for analytical thinking and collaborative learning.
• Incorporates Nonverbal Communication: Introduce your students to nonverbal signals like "agree," "disagree," and "connect" to enhance their ability to communicate without interrupting others.
• Fosters a Positive Classroom Culture: By establishing norms for respectful and inclusive discussions, you help create a classroom environment where every student feels valued and heard.

What’s Included:

• Detailed 60-Minute Lesson Plan: Step-by-step instructions for guiding students through the habits of discourse, including Do Now prompts, discussion activities, and reflection exercises.
• Engaging Discussion Topics: Ten thought-provoking prompts tailored for middle school students, ensuring relevance and engagement in each discourse format.
• Graphic Organizer: A user-friendly tool for students to visualize and document their understanding of effective communication during Turn and Talk, Table Talk, and Whole Class Talk activities.

Perfect For:

• Middle School Humanities Teachers: Ideal for those teaching language arts, social studies, or any subject where discussion is key.
• Back to School: Establish classroom norms early in the school year with this essential resource.
• Ongoing Use: Revisit throughout the year to reinforce and expand your students' discourse skills.

Benefits:

• Improves Student Engagement: Students actively participate in discussions, leading to deeper understanding and retention of material.
• Builds Confidence: Helps shy or hesitant students find their voice in a safe and structured environment.
• Supports SEL Goals: Aligns with social-emotional learning objectives by teaching students how to communicate respectfully and empathically.

How to Use:

• Start the School Year Strong: Implement this lesson during the first weeks of school to set a positive tone for the year.
• Enhance Group Projects: Use the discourse habits as guidelines during collaborative work to ensure productive and respectful teamwork.
• Reflect and Revise: Encourage students to reflect on their communication skills regularly, using the graphic organizer as a tool for self-assessment and growth.

In our global society, our students need to understand how **cultures are developed **and how they adapt to and adopt practices and beliefs from others through cultural diffusion. As students understand cultures vs subcultures, it will help them navigate and appreciate the diverse world we live in. In this lesson, students will look at "the American culture" vs its subcultures.

Students will enjoy working in **cooperative groups **to create a collage that illustrates various American subcultures. This activity will require them to use **higher-order thinking skills **as they analyze, compare, and evaluate American culture alongside its subcultures.

Additionally, students will complete a short preliminary assignment in which they will interpret a political cartoon. This approach caters to** visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learners** in grades 5 through 12, ensuring that even older students will find it engaging!

Disclaimer:

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

Great Depression and Of Mice and Men Graphic Organizers

ABOUT THIS RESOURCE

★ Includes 2 small products

★ Great Depression and Of Mice and Men Graphic Organizers

★ 6 pages

★ PDF files

★ Suitable for grades 5-12

This resource includes TWO PACKETS:

★ 2 overview pages

★ 2 higher-level graphic organizers

★ 2 differentiated graphic organizers

★ 2 Google Slide links

Set #1: Great Depression and Of Mice and Men Graphic Organizer Packet

Students read two Common Lit articles and observe/analyze images related to the Great Depression and Migrant workers (Links to all images and articles are provided - actual articles are NOT included. only links).

Students will observe, read, analyze, and make evidence-based inferences related to the Great Depression and the lives of migrant workers. Students will then use these texts (articles and images) to make connections to the characters / events in the book Of Mice and Men. The graphic organizers require students to cite evidence from both the articles, images, and the book to support their analysis, conclusions, and observations.

✅ The two graphic organizers contain the same information, but one of them is differentiated for lower-level students.

✅ The differentiated version graphic organizer includes paraphrased, step-by-step instructions as well as examples of how to think about the information they observed in the images and read in the articles. These examples will increase their understanding of how to think about information and complete the graphic organizer appropriately.

Set #2: Great Depression, Dust Bowl and Migrant Workers Image Analysis Graphic Organizer Packet

These graphic organizers require students to analyze three images related to the Great Depression and Dust Bowl and draw evidence-based conclusions. The differentiated version graphic organizer includes scaffolding questions to help lower level students analyze the images and write about them. The graphic organizers also require students to cite evidence from the images to support their analysis/conclusions. The graphic organizers are visually appealing and eye catching!

These graphic organizers are excellent for Do Now, unit launch, groupwork, homework, independent work, and/or research activities. They can also be used to set a purpose for listening/watching video clips used to supplement lessons. It's a great tool to help build students' background/prior knowledge for upcoming units/topics related to the Great Depression and/or Dust Bowl.

These graphic organizers make a great addition to a lesson plan!

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Your purchase includes one copy to be used in a single classroom. If you are looking for multiple copies, please be sure to purchase additional licenses.

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Word search puzzles are incredibly helpful for learning new words. They're like fun games where you find words hidden in a grid of letters. When you do this, you remember the words better and also get better at spelling. It's like a puzzle adventure that helps you learn and remember words in a really enjoyable way!

What's included:

General topics:

• Summer Vocabulary
• Beach vocabulary
• Air transport Vocabulary
• Alphabet Vocabulary
• Autumn Vocabulary
• Body Parts Names
• Books Vocabulary
• Colors
• Community Vocabulary
• Family
• Fruits
• Vegetables
• Jobs & Professions
• Kitchen Objects
• Classroom Objects
• Clothing Vocabulary

Seasonal:

• 4th of July Vocabulary
• Columbus Day Vocabulary
• Halloween Vocabulary
• Moon Landing Day Vocabulary
• Veterans Day Vocabulary

Astronomy:

• Moon Phases

Days & Months:

• Days of the week
• Months of The Year
• French Days of the Week
• Italian Days of The Week
• Spanish Days of The Week

Animals:

• Animals Names
• Farm Vocabulary
• Birds Names
• Domesticated Animals
• Herbivores Animals Names
• Omnivores Animals Names
• Carnivorous Animals Names
• Water & Land Animals Names
• Wild Animals Names
• Jungle Animals Names
• Mammals Animals Names

Looking for activities to reinforce and review historical vocabulary? Need assignments for unexpected sick days? Want to offer students extra credit or assign homework?

Then look no further than the World History Crossword and Word Search MEGA BUNDLE! This bundle includes 40 crosswords and word searches (with answer keys included) for everything from prehistory to the 20th century!

20 World History topics including:

• Prehistory and Early Civilization
• Ancient Greece
• Chinese History
• The Middle Ages
• The Renaissance and Reformation
• The Gunpowder Empires
• Latin American Revolutions
• The Age of Imperialism
• World War I and World War II
• African and Indian Independence Movements
• and so much more!

Buy now and you'll also receive World History Semester 1 Review - The Hot Seat Game!

It's 1901, and Anthony Lucas needs investors for finding oil at the Spindletop Oilfield--will your students invest after they learn about the first gusher in Texas? In comic book format for fun learning and comes with comic templates for students to fill in their own dialogues and facts. Includes: Joseph Sayers, 1901 Governor of Texas Comparison before and after the oil boom Blank Check Format Stock Certificate to Fill In Newspaper Template Drilling Bit Striking Oil Gusher Wildcat Boll Weevil Roughneck Population Explosion Chart Drilling Rig and Labeled Parts US and World Map with Oil Contributions Advertisement Boomtown Changes to Beaumont Infrastructure Timeline of the Spindletop Gusher Great way to combine history/social studies and science with writing skills and concepts! Fun historical comic book to make and fill in after reviewing basic facts and timelines. Can be used for introductions to 1901, drilling, geology, time period, basic Texas history facts, assessment, and more...

• Voter Registration Cards & I Voted Stickers | Perfect for Election Day and Mock Voting Activities

Bring the excitement of Election Day into the classroom with this printable set of Voter Registration Cards and I Voted Stickers! Ideal for social studies, government, and civics lessons, this resource is perfect for engaging students in hands-on, interactive learning about the democratic process. Students can "register to vote" with these custom registration cards and proudly display their "I Voted" stickers after casting their mock ballots.

Use these printables to simulate a real voting experience, enhancing students' understanding of voting rights, civic responsibility, and the importance of participating in elections. Perfect for Election Day events, school-wide mock elections, or classroom government units.

• Thank You for Choosing Smart Teach Depot:

We want to express our sincere gratitude for choosing Smart Teach Depot , Voter Registration Cards & I Voted Stickers | Perfect for Election Day and Mock Voting Activities. Your trust and support mean the world to us. We appreciate the opportunity to serve you and are committed to providing you with the best experience.

If you have any questions, concerns, or feedback, please don't hesitate to reach out. We value your input and are always here to assist you.

Thank you once again for being a valued customer. We look forward to serving you in the future.

Best regards,

YOUNESS ELIDRYSY , Smart Teach Depot.

Engage Your Students with This Japanese History Assignment!

This 4-paragraph assignment on a key period of Japanese history, crafted for 7th-grade ESOL students but suitable for all learners, brings the essential elements of this era to life—covering political events, cultural developments, and major achievements in a clear, engaging way.

Included are four comprehension questions to reinforce understanding and promote critical thinking, along with an easy-to-use answer key for quick grading and self-assessment.

Perfect for any learning environment, this assignment builds historical knowledge and literacy skills. Dive into Japanese history with this concise, educational, and student-friendly resource!

Check out my store for other engaging assignments and bundle deals!

Constellation Scavenger Hunt 

Hi fellow teachers

I often do scavenger hunts in grade 4 to 7  classrooms. I find them particularly useful when I’m feeling tired or lacking energy (hey, we’ve all been there).

Why do I like them?

1. They are easy to set up, 
2. The students get to move around
3. The students are focussed & engaged
4. The students enjoy it 
5. The teacher is free to take notes, observe and give guidance, if necessary. 

It can look chaotic, but if observed you can see students really trying, really reading the information, and really collaborating and cooperating.

How it works:

There are two components:

1. A two page worksheet (print double-sided, one per student)
2. 12 informational panels that contain the answers to the questions (these need to be printed on one side, cut in half and pinned in various locations around your room).
3. Hand out the worksheet and off they go!

I have used this activity in a Grade 6 class.

The whole activity takes about 40 minutes and I might suggest watching a couple of Youtube videos on the topic to ‘get them in the mood.

Good luck!

MY EXCEPTIONAL COUNTRY REPORT (ALL IN ENGLISH)

A Fun Way to Do a Country Report

It covers many essential key components like:

• Population
• Exports/ Imports:
• Current Leader:
• Quote:
• National Bird:
• Mortality Rate:
• Natality Rate:
• Foods/Dishes:
• Places to visit:
• Flag:
• Weather type:
• Famous Landmarks
• and soooo much more!

Doodles help as a visual and motivate students to fill-out the worksheet!

Immerse your students in the vibrant culture of New Orleans with this engaging Jazz & Heritage Festival resource pack! Perfect for grades 4-12, this comprehensive unit explores the history, music, food, and economic impact of one of America’s most iconic festivals. With ready-to-use worksheets, quizzes, and interactive activities, students will discover the multicultural roots of Louisiana while building critical thinking and reading comprehension skills.

What’s Included:

• Informative Reading Passages: Covering the festival’s origins, musical diversity, cultural exhibits, and economic impact.
• Student Activities: Fill-in-the-blank exercises, multiple-choice quizzes, true/false questions, and short-answer prompts.
• Cultural Exploration: Lessons on Cajun, zydeco, and gospel music, plus traditional Louisiana food and crafts.
• Real-World Connections: Discussion questions on tourism, community pride, and how festivals preserve heritage.
• Answer Keys: Save time with complete answer keys for all activities.

Why Teachers Love It:

• Cross-Curricular: Integrates music, social studies, geography, and economics.
• Engaging & Interactive: Brings the festival to life with relatable content and hands-on tasks.
• Flexible Use: Ideal for whole-class lessons, group projects, or independent study.
• No Prep Required: Print or assign digitally for seamless classroom integration.

Perfect For:

• Music and arts classes
• Social studies units on cultural heritage
• Louisiana state history
• Black History Month (highlighting jazz and blues traditions)
• End-of-year fun activities

Help students experience the soul of New Orleans—download today!

This product was made for students to learn the following: Vocabulary words - settlers, rural, colonists, frontier, plantations, treaty, Boston, Philadelphia, New England Colonies, Middle Colonies, beavers, Charleston, the Southern Colonies, and the colonies that are in each of those colonies.

In this product, students will learn about England's first colonies. They will expand upon the first settlements in Jamestown and Plymouth, and will dive into learning about the 13 colonies, students will learn how the 13 colonies are alike, how William Penn helped the colonists and how he formed a relationship with the Indigenous Peoples, the New England Colonies, where they were located, the biggest city in the New England Colonies, how farming was difficult in this area and why, the short growing season of crops, and how they found food, how people earned a living in this colony, the Middle Colonies and how they had rich farmlands available to them, what kinds of crops were grown in this area, the kinds of jobs that people had, why beavers were so important in this colony and what they did with their fur, Philadelphia and how it was developing so much quicker than New York and why, William Penn and what he did when he started the colony of Pennsylvania, what made New York's population increase and how it became the biggest city in the Middle Colonies, the Southern Colonies, the biggest city being Charleston, the kinds of goods that came into the Charleston harbor, what plantations were, the kinds of jobs that were on plantations, the crops that were grown, how plantations needed many slavery, brief introduction to slavery and how they were forced to work on plantations in the south, the frontier, the western edge of the 13 colonies, how entire families needed to work to survive and why, and the kinds of work that frontier settlers needed to do.

The notes are adapted to meet your student's individual learning needs. After reviewing and discussing the notes, there are fill in the blank questions with the missing vocabulary words and a key to help locate answers. Students will also answer comprehension questions to review what was discussed on previous pages, and a chart about the 13 colonies and why they were settled and when. There are several questions that relate with this chart.

You may also be interested in the following:

The Road to the Revolutionary War Adapted Notes and Review

https://www.TeachShare.com/Product/The-Road-to-the-Revolutionary-War-Adapted-Notes-and-Review-10223854

Early English Settlements Adapted Notes and Review

https://www.TeachShare.com/Product/Early-English-Settlements-Adapted-Notes-and-Review-10141382

5 Regions of the United States Adapted Notes and Review

https://www.TeachShare.com/Product/5-Regions-of-the-United-States-Adapted-Notes-and-Review-10115445

The Northeast Region Adapted Notes and Review

https://www.TeachShare.com/Product/The-Northeast-Region-Adapted-Notes-and-Review-9386984

The First Americans:

https://www.TeachShare.com/Product/The-First-Americans-Notes-and-Review-Adapted-8855127

Learning and Writing my Address:

https://www.TeachShare.com/Product/Learning-and-Writing-My-Address-Example-Template-8218625

United States Research Report:

https://www.TeachShare.com/Product/United-States-Research-Report-8493424

Reading Comprehension US Cities North Pole Alaska

Your students will learn about the City of North Pole, Alaska, which is located in Alaska. They will learn about the history and culture of this great little town not too far from Fairbanks, Alaska.

-Reading comprehension worksheet: Students will test their knowledge and improve their understanding of North Pole, Alaska landmarks, events and people.

-Graphic organizer: Students will stay organized and develop critical thinking skills as they analyze and compare information about Seattle, Washington.

Unveiling the Lives and Beliefs: A Day in the Life at Machu Picchu

Step back in time and experience the vibrant lives of the inhabitants who once called Machu Picchu home!

This captivating reading comprehension worksheet immerses students in the daily reality of the people who thrived in this iconic city, exploring:

• A Mountain Life: From agriculture on terraced farms to challenging weather, understand their unique way of life.
• Beyond Work: Discover leisure activities, social gatherings, and traditional games that fostered community spirit.
• A Realm of the Divine: Unravel the deep-rooted religious practices, including the significance of the Intihuatana stone and reverence for deities.
• The Mummy of Machu Picchu: Analyze this fascinating discovery to glean insights into burial practices and social hierarchy.

Engaging activities boost critical thinking:

• Multiple choice, true/false, fill-in-the-blank, and short answer questions.
• Primary source analysis with thought-provoking discussion prompts.
• Answer key included for easy assessment.

Learning Objectives:

• Gain knowledge about the daily lives, work, and religious beliefs of the Machu Picchu inhabitants.
• Analyze primary sources and develop critical thinking skills.
• Appreciate the cultural and social fabric of this ancient civilization.
• Understand the influence of geographical location on daily life.

Common Core Standards:

• Reading: RI.5.1, RI.5.2, RI.5.3, RI.5.4, RI.5.5, RI.5.6, RI.5.7, RI.5.8, RI.5.9, RI.5.10
• Writing: W.5.2, W.5.4, W.5.5, W.5.6, W.5.8
• Social Studies: SS.5.G.2.1, SS.5.G.3.1, SS.5.H.2.1, SS.5.H.4.1

Ready to transport your students to the heart of Machu Picchu?

Explore my store for more engaging reading comprehensions on diverse themes!

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Embark on a global journey with these exciting Holidays Around the World Paper Crown & Headband Templates. This printable craft pack is a fun addition to your multicultural studies, celebrating various festive traditions from Christmas and Diwali to Hanukkah and beyond. Featuring 10 black and white templates, your students explore the vibrant cultures associated with each holiday, coloring and crafting their unique crowns. Ideal for diverse classrooms, these templates promote cultural awareness and foster a sense of unity. Simple for teachers and students to use, just print on cardstock, and students are ready to immerse themselves in the rich tapestry of global celebrations. Perfect for multicultural weeks or as part of a festive crafts rotation, these templates add a touch of creativity to your holiday-themed lessons. Bring the world into your classroom and let the cultural exploration begin.

This product includes crown/headband templates for:

• Christmas ,
• Diwali,
• Hanukkah,
• Chinese New Year,
• Ramadan,
• Kwanzaa,
• Eid al-Fitr,
• St. Lucia's Day,
• Holi,
• Bastille Day.

Ideas on how to use these crowns in your classroom:

1. Cultural Parade: Organize a classroom parade where students wear their respective holiday crowns. As they march, provide brief facts about each holiday they represent.
2. Festive Storytelling: Have students wear their crowns while listening to stories related to each holiday. Encourage discussions about the cultural significance of the holidays.
3. Global Fashion Show: Host a Holidays Around the World fashion show. Students can strut their stuff, showcasing their crowns, while sharing a fun fact about the holiday they represent.
4. Crafty Bulletin Board: Create a vibrant bulletin board displaying the crowns, along with short descriptions of each holiday. This visually engaging display can be a focal point for multicultural discussions.
5. Interactive Museum: Transform your classroom into a mini museum. Allow students to move around, exploring different stations dedicated to each holiday. The crowns serve as their entry tickets.
6. Festive Snack Day: Coordinate with parents to bring in snacks associated with the holidays represented. Students can wear their crowns while enjoying a multicultural feast.

CLICK THIS LINK TO VIEW MORE EXCITING PAPER CROWN TEMPLATES.

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An engaging way to begin a unit on economics! This fun and hands-on activity will have students explore the important concepts of human needs versus wants through an engaging rocket ship simulation. Students will be vicariously drawn into an emergency situation in which they must collaborate, and agree as to what items they consider as ‘essential’ for their survival on their rocket ship mission to live on a far away planet. An interactive Slide Presentation will help guide the groups on their journey… along with prompting students to delve deeper by examining the broader issues of sustainability, waste, and identifying the main differences between ‘developed’ and ‘developing’ countries.

Materials:

• Teacher Reference Guide
• Slide Presentation
• Handouts:

#1. Student Guided Notes & Student Reflection

#2. Rocket Ship Activity

If you liked this lesson see other related lessons here:

• Child Labor: Comparing Industrial Era to Today
• Analyzing Environmental Disasters Caused by Human Activity
• FDR & The New Deal Matching Game
• Mystery: What Caused the Great Depression?
• Post Zombie Apocalypse: What Form of Government Would YOU Create?