Less than $5 8th Grade U.S. History Graphic Organizers (by date, latest first)

The Cuban Missile Crisis of October 1962 pushed the United States and the Soviet Union to the brink of nuclear war. This lesson will have students critically examine the complex relationship between the United States and Cuba that led to this climatic point in history. Students will delve deeper into this conflict by analyzing the differing points of view and perspectives concerning the events that led to the Cuban Missile Crisis through the study of three sources of information.

This resource is a perfect lesson for students to work independently, or for a substitute to teach!

This lesson includes:

• Teacher Reference Guide
• Reading: ‘On the Brink- From the Bay of Pigs to the Cuban Missile Crisis’
• 44 min Documentary film ‘Fidel Castro Declassified’
• 2 page set of 7 questions (analysis and comprehension)
• Venn Diagram
• American history textbook version

If you liked this lesson see other related ‘Cold War’ lessons here:

• Hot War Turns into the Cold War
• The Cold War and Vietnam
• Cold War Unit Review & Assessment
• The Korean War: A Critical Reading Activity
• Protest Movements of the 1960's: E-Chapter Textbook Project

This lesson will have students explore & debate the five major compromises that were made at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia in 1787. The delegates were charged with the task of amending the Articles of Confederation. However, they quickly decided to replace the Articles and write a new constitution. Because the delegates came from all parts of the country, they differed on a number of key issues. In order to keep the convention going and ensure ratification of the Constitution, the delegates had to compromise a number of times. As a result, the final document is sometimes described as a "bundle" of compromises.

Materials Include:

• Student Guided Notes T-Chart
• 23 Slide Presentation
• Teacher Answer Key

Supporting Questions:

• What was the purpose of the Constitutional Convention?
• What are the five compromises of the Constitution?
• How did the Constitutional Convention address the issue of slavery?

If you liked this lesson see other related 'Government' lessons here:

• Controversy and the Criminal Justice System (Eric Garner Case)
• The 'Bill of Rights' Time Travel
• Mock Trial: Class Preparation (MY BEST SELLER)!
• Post Zombie Apocalypse: What Form of Government Would YOU Create?
• YOU Be the Judge: Analyzing Supreme Court Decisions

In this lesson, students will gain a frame of reference for understanding how multiple factors can influence how history is written. This resource will prompt students to be able to answer not only “What happened?” BUT-- “How do you know?” and “Why do you believe your interpretation is valid?”

Critical questions are posed;

• What kind of factors can influence how history is written?
• What is a primary source? What is a secondary source? Strengths and limitations of each?
• Does one's analysis of recent historical events differ from distant past events?

Students will explore these important questions through the study of Christopher Columbus. Through the analysis of primary & secondary sources, students will re-examine the way in which the Columbus story has been portrayed in mainstream literature. A culminating Venn diagram activity will complete the lesson.

Two Optional Extension activities include;

#1. Analyze Excerpts from Children's books; Identify the different possible ways in which the following images and/or text can influence a reader’s understanding of Christopher Columbus and the Taino culture.

#2. Debate: Should Columbus Day be Celebrated?; FOR & AGAINST arguments included.

This Resource Includes:

• Teacher Reference Guide
• 34 Google Slide Presentation & Guided Notes
• Two Optional Extension Activities: 1# Analyzing Children's Literature, #2 Debate- Should Columbus Debate continue to be celebrated?

If you liked this lesson see other related lessons here:

• The Debate on Affirmative Action: Exploring Two Sides of the Issue
• Native American Residential Schools in the U.S. (Gallery Walk Activity)
• Westward Expansion & the Transcontinental Railway: Exploring Perspectives
• U.S. Imperialism UNIT: Interactive Notebook
• The 'Bill of Rights' Time Travel

This highly engaging, primary based, interactive Slide Presentation will have students examine; the underlying roots from which the Ku Klux Klan (KKK) came to exist in America, the organization's primary tactics of using intimidation & fear in fighting against social equality, and why many poor whites were recruited to join the KKK organization. Students will delve deeper by comparing the circumstances and social conditions of two former KKK leaders (one who lived during the era of Jim Crow, and the other of present day).

Class discussion, and critical thinking is promoted throughout the entire lesson.

Materials Include:

• Slide Presentation & Guided Notes Handout
• Venn Diagram- 'Comparing White Supremacy of the Past with Today'
• Primary Source Reading- 'C.P. Ellis Why I Quit the Klan'
• Teacher Answer Key Included

*All THREE lessons (Era of Reconstruction, the Ku Klux Klan, & Jim Crow) is available in the BUNDLE for a discounted %.

Natural Disasters US History Interactive Fan Activity Research

Dive into U.S. history with the Natural Disaster in US History Interactive Fan! This engaging educational tool is designed for upper elementary and middle school students. This resource brings a fresh and interactive approach to learning about the most significant natural disasters in American history.

This product is designed to be used during an American Revolution unit of study. There are 2 parts. The first part is a comparison of topics such as population, size of army, leaders, and strategies. This part can be done as a whole group, pairs, or individual. Answer Key is included and student answers my vary according to the source of information they are using. The second part is a comparison over the strengths and weaknesses between the British and the Americans. Students will use a list of strengths and weaknesses and put them in the appropriate boxes. Students can use a textbook or the internet to find information. Answer Key is included.

This resource is a review for the 8th Grade Social Studies STAAR Test. It uses a Graphic Organizer format to review events and facts related to United States History: Exploration through Reconstruction.

This product is related to the Colonization of North America. It has 2 parts. The first part is a comparison chart between the Jamestown and Plymouth settlements. The second part is a Venn Diagram of Jamestown and Plymouth. Students can use textbook, informational packets, or the internet to find answers.

This is a graphic organizer to use with a Civil War unit. The chart involves 11 Battles of the Civil War including Fort Sumter, Bull Run, Fort Henry and Fort Donelson, Shiloh, New Orleans, Antietam, Gettysburg, Vicksburg, Sherman's March, Richmond, and Appomattox. Use with a textbook or information from the internet.

This product is related to the Reform Movement. Students will use the Reform Movement Readings to fill in the Chart about Reform movements such as the Second Great Awakening, Education, Labor, Disabled and Prisons, Temperance, Abolition, and Women's Rights.

This worksheet looks at the differences between the Patriots and Loyalists during the American Revolution. It is divided into 3 parts. Part A is a comparison of the Patriots and Loyalist of how they felt about various events and issues during the revolution. In Part B, students are to determine whether the quote is from a Patriot or Loyalist. In Part C, students will summarize the thoughts and feelings of the Patriots and Loyalists.

This product is a graphic organizer used with a unit on the Constitution. The student will fill out the graphic organizer by listing the first 10 Amendments in the left hand column and then drawing a visual representation of each amendment. Note that Amendment 1 has 5 parts to it - the 5 freedoms.

This is a graphic organizer to use with an American Revolution unit. The chart involves 9 Battles and Events of the American Revolution including Lexington and Concord, Fort Ticonderoga, Bunker Hill, Trenton and Princeton, Saratoga, Bonhomme Richard vs the Serapis, Valley Forge, Yorktown, and the Treaty of Paris. Use with a textbook or information from the internet.

This product is related to the Industrial Revolution. It has 2 parts. Part A is a chart about major inventions during the Industrial Revolution. Students will use the Industrial Revolution Readings to identify the date, inventor, and category of 10 inventions. Part B is 10 questions about the impact and significance of each of the 10 inventions. Students will use the chart and the readings to answer the questions.

This product is designed to be used during a Civil War unit of study. The comparison topics are states in the north and south, population, president, commanding general, other leaders, motive, advantages, disadvantages, and military strategy. This part can be done as a whole group, pairs, or individual. Students can use a textbook or the internet to find information. Answers my vary according to the source of information they are using.

The product includes web diagrams for 6 Presidents - Washington, Adams, Jefferson, Madison, Monroe, and Jackson. Students will fill in blanks and answer questions to complete the web diagram for each president. It can be used as a review or a unit assignment.

This is a graphic organizer to use with Manifest Destiny and Westward Expansion. The chart involves the who, what, when, why, and how of Manifest Destiny including New Mexico, California, Utah, Texas, and Oregon. Use with a textbook or information from the internet. Answer Key with possible answers included.

This is a graphic organizer to use with a unit on the 13 Colonies. For each of the 13 Colonies, students will determine which colonial region they are located in, the founder or settlers,the date it was founded, and the reason or purpose the colony was founded. Use with a textbook or information from the internet.

This product is related to the Early Republic and First Political Parties. Students will use the First Political Parties Reading to fill in the Comparison Graphic Organizer about the differences and similarities between the Federalists and the Democratic-Republicans.

This lesson is a matching activity of various events related to the 19th Century Reform Movement in the United States. Included is a chart and cards. Cut out the event cards and match them with the correct reform movement.