Make Valentine’s Day Educational with This Fun History Research Activity!

Engage your students with this exciting, Valentine’s Day-themed research activity that blends history and fun! Perfect for middle and high school social studies or world history classes, students research a historical figure and learn more about others as they hear from potential Mystery History Dates! Each student will choose a historical figure, complete a Mystery Date profile of them, and meet other Mystery Dates in this stations-based activity. After they read about all Mystery Dates, students will identify who each figure is, and determine who would be least and most compatible with their own chosen figure. Out of all these Mystery History Dates, will they find a match? Or a dud?

Activity includes:

- Overview and instructions

- Mystery History Date Profile Sheet

- Mystery History Date Guess List

- Mystery History Date Compatibility Sheet

- Variations for small-groups and a Game Show edition!

Engage your students with this creative biography project as they learn about key figures of the Civil Rights Movement! Project includes template for a Funko Pop character, Biographical Information/Research Page, "A Letter to the Past" template, grading rubric, and detailed instructions! Students will pick a famous leader from the Civil Rights Movement, research their life and achievements, and have fun as they use their creative mind!

A great mini-project for Black History Month or the Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday!

Bring history to life this Christmas holiday season with a fun and engaging stations activity your students will love!

In this festive critical thinking activity, students will travel through time as they uncover which famous historical figures wrote 25 intriguing holiday wish lists to Santa! Blending creativity, historical context, and problem-solving, this activity is perfect for middle school or high school social studies classes.

Each wish list includes a mix of both physical items and abstract ideas, giving students clues about the personality, accomplishments, and aspirations of notable figures from both world and U.S. history. Students will match the wish lists to their corresponding figures as they rotate through stations, completing an answer sheet with their guesses.

What’s Included:

• 25 unique holiday wish lists written from the perspective of historical figures
• A student answer sheet for tracking guesses
• A teacher instructions page with setup and modification suggestions
• A detailed answer key for easy grading
• A blank wish list template for an optional extension activity where students create their own historical wish list

*Includes both color and black & white versions of all sheets!*

Uses:

• Interactive lesson or station-based activity
• Holiday-themed class event
• Review or enrichment for history topics
• Collaborative or individual learning

Extension Idea:
Wrap up the activity by having students choose their favorite historical figure and create a wish list from that person’s perspective. Then, let classmates guess the figure based on their creative clues!

Perfect for:

• Middle and high school world history or U.S. history classes
• December lessons or holiday-themed units
• Sub plans, early finishers, or enrichment

Add some historical holiday cheer to your classroom with this engaging activity!

Bring history, art, and imagination together in a spine-tingling exploration of historical figures with "Frighteningly Famous," the perfect activity for Halloween or anytime of year! This engaging and multidisciplinary classroom project invites students to embark on a journey that blurs the lines between fiction and reality. In this captivating activity, students select classic monsters such as Frankenstein, Dracula, the Wolfman, and others and transform them into famous historical figures from the halls of history.

Key Features:

1. Inspire Creativity: Encourage students to unleash their artistic talents by creating detailed drawings that depict classic monsters dressed as renowned historical figures. Foster their creativity as they imagine how these monstrous personas would blend with the characters of history.
2. Promote Research Skills: Cultivate strong research skills as students delve into the lives and achievements of the historical figures they choose. Through research, they gain a deeper understanding of the chosen figures and their historical context.
3. Develop Critical Thinking: Challenge students to think critically about the connections between classic monsters and historical figures. How do these characters' traits and stories intersect, and what ideas might they share with each other?
4. Enhance Writing Abilities: Encourage students to express their imagination and knowledge through a creative essay about their selected historical figure. This exercise hones their writing skills while deepening their appreciation for history.
5. No-Prep-Needed Resources: Our comprehensive package includes materials, including a teacher instructions sheet, grading rubric, and worksheets for students

Educational Value: The "Frighteningly Famous" Activity offers a unique blend of art, history, and critical thinking, making it an invaluable addition to your classroom resources. It promotes creativity, research skills, and interdisciplinary learning, fostering a deeper appreciation for history and art.

Perfect for Middle and High School: This activity is specifically designed for middle and high school students, providing age-appropriate content and challenges that align with educational standards.

Perfect for Halloween or to use anytime of the school year when you need a fun activity!

Transform your social studies classroom into an engaging hub of historical exploration with the "Historical Headstones!" Stations Activity, great for Halloween or anytime of year! This versatile and comprehensive resource is perfect for teaching students about prominent historical figures while fostering critical thinking, creativity, and research skills.

What's Included:

1. Stations Activity

• • Engage students with intriguing epitaphs (headstones) that conceal the identities of famous historical figures.
  • Encourage deductive reasoning and historical context analysis as students decipher who each epitaph represents.
  • Explore a diverse range of figures from various eras and regions, making history come alive in an exciting way.
  • Promote interactive learning through a rotating station format, keeping students actively involved and eager to uncover historical truths.
  • A worksheet with clear instructions for students to record their guesses and reflect on their discoveries.

2. Create Your Own Historical Headstone Extension Activity:

• • Encourage students to take their learning to the next level by selecting a historical figure of their choice.
  • Provide opportunities for research and critical thinking as students gather information about their chosen figure's life and achievements.
  • Foster creativity and artistic expression through the design of custom headstones and epitaphs that capture the essence of the historical figure.
  • Promote public speaking skills as students present their creations to the class, providing insights into their chosen figures.
  • A worksheet with detailed instructions to guide students through the research, design, and presentation process.

Unlock the wonders of history while fostering creativity and critical thinking in your classroom. Explore "Historical Headstones!" and watch your students uncover the secrets of the past while crafting meaningful tributes to historical greatness.

A simple icebreaker to get students moving, engaged, and connected with one another! Number the four corners of your classroom then follow the prompts on the presentation. Exit Ticket/Discussion included!

Save 30% when you purchase the Classroom Icebreakers Activity Bundle!

Celebrate the End of the Year with This Fun and Creative Biography Activity!

Biography on a Beach Ball is the perfect end-of-year, spring break, or summer activity to keep students engaged while celebrating historical figures or personal heroes. This exciting, hands-on project lets students combine research with creativity by designing a biography beach ball that highlights the life, achievements, and impact of notable individuals.

This activity is great for wrapping up the school year with a fun, relaxed approach to biographical research, all while promoting teamwork and classroom interaction. It works just as well for a spring break or summer project to keep students’ research skills sharp!

What's Included:

• Beach Ball Design Templates: Structured sections for students to organize key information about their chosen historical figure or personal hero, including life events, major accomplishments, and fun facts.
• Research Guide: Helps students conduct meaningful research to fill out each section of their beach ball.
• Creative Presentation Ideas: Tips and ideas for students to share their beach ball biographies in a fun and interactive way, such as classroom presentations or games.
• Versatile Use: Perfect for individual projects, group activities, or as a fun wrap-up to the school year.

Key Benefits:

• Interactive and Creative: Combines biographical research with hands-on creativity, allowing students to design their own beach ball filled with interesting facts.
• End of Year Engagement: Keeps students motivated and excited during those last weeks of school, when attention can start to wane.
• Flexible Application: Ideal for history, English, or general classroom use during end-of-year wrap-ups, spring break, or even as a summer project.

This fun and engaging resource is perfect for middle school and high school history, social studies, or ELA classrooms, providing a creative twist on traditional research projects. Your students will love researching and presenting their biographies on a beach ball!

Transform your classroom into a medieval adventure with a beachy twist! This engaging and interactive activity is perfect for the days leading up to spring or summer break, capturing students' imaginations while reinforcing their creativity and understanding of history.

What's Included:

• Sandy Strongholds Reading Passage: Delve into the world of medieval castles with this light reading passage that covers everything from the purpose of castles to the different parts of a castle, including moats, drawbridges, towers, and battlements. Engaging language and illustrations make learning fun and accessible for all students.
• Draw Your Sand Castle: Let creativity soar as students design their own medieval sand castles on a beach-themed background. Encourage them to incorporate elements they've learned about from the reading passages, fostering critical thinking and imaginative expression.

Simply print and distribute the sheets to your students, and watch as they embark on a medieval journey filled with learning and creativity. Use as a standalone activity or as part of a larger unit on medieval history or architecture!

Use this crossword puzzle and word search combo to explore the winter holidays of Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa with your students!

Key Terms Include:

• STOCKING
• EGGNOG
• REINDEER
• SLEIGH
• DREIDEL
• KWANZAA
• CHRISTMAS
• NATIVITY
• TINSEL
• SNOWFLAKE
• GINGERBREAD
• LATKES
• KINARA
• ADVENT
• YULE
• CAROLING ELF
• NORTH POLE
• GELT
• NGUZO SABA
• MISTLETOE
• ORNAMENT
• POINSETTIA
• CANDY CANE
• MENORAH
• FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS
• MKEKA
• UMOJA

Use this crossword puzzle and word search combo to introduce and review key terms relating to the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and important vocabulary relating to The Civil Rights Movement!

Engage your students as they discover the origins, evolution, and modern traditions of Valentine's Day! This reading comprehension activity is perfect for middle and high school classrooms, offering a blend of historical facts and cultural insights.

Students will journey from the ancient Roman festival of Lupercalia to the medieval traditions of courtly love, uncovering how Valentine’s Day became the global celebration it is today. The engaging reading passage includes bolded key terms with definitions, making it easy to follow and understand.

What’s Included:

• A detailed reading passage about the history and traditions of Valentine's Day (approx. 1.5 pages).
• Comprehension questions with diverse formats.
• An answer key for easy grading.

Perfect For:

• Valentine’s Day-themed lessons in social studies, history, or ELA.
• Cross-curricular learning about cultural traditions.
• In-class activities, homework, or sub plans.

Energize Your Classroom with the Blobs and Lines Icebreaker Activity!

Perfect for the start of the year or any time students need a confidence boost, this interactive team-building game helps students bond, learn about one another, and establish classroom connections in a fun, low-pressure environment. Blobs and Lines is ideal for elementary through high school classrooms, building a sense of community and breaking down social barriers as students move around the room, responding to thought-provoking prompts and finding common ground with their classmates.

What’s Included:

• Detailed Teacher Instructions: Easy-to-follow setup and facilitation tips for guiding the activity.
• Prompt List: A versatile set of prompts covering interests, hobbies, and values, sparking both lighthearted and meaningful conversations.
• Reflection & Debriefing Ideas: Thoughtful ways to wrap up the activity, allowing students to share what they’ve learned.

Key Features:

• Engages All Students: Encourages movement, communication, and teamwork, making it especially effective for mixed personality types.
• Customizable Prompts: Easily adaptable to fit various themes or to reinforce curriculum-related topics.
• Builds Community: Creates a positive classroom atmosphere, helping students connect and build trust.

Perfect For:

• First Day of School or Semester: Start the year off right with an activity that gets students moving and interacting.
• Classroom Community-Building: Ideal for establishing a strong sense of belonging and teamwork.
• Adaptable Use: Great for advisory periods, club meetings, retreats, and team-building workshops.

Save 30% when you purchase the Classroom Icebreakers Activity Bundle!

Bring history to life this holiday season with The History Elf Project, a fun and engaging classroom project perfect for any social studies unit! This fun, creative activity invites students to step into the shoes (and hats!) of famous historical figures, becoming Santa’s special “History Elf” to uncover the achievements, character traits, and lasting legacies of iconic people from the past. Perfect for the Christmas holiday season, this project combines research, creativity, and writing in a memorable way that makes history engaging for students!

What’s Included:

• History Elf Outline Design Page – Students design their elf to look like their chosen historical figure, adding details to reflect the figure’s life and accomplishments.
• The History Elf’s Holiday Report – In this writing activity, students pen a letter to Santa about their historical figure’s impact and decide if they belong on the “Nice” or “Naughty” list based on what they’ve learned.
• History Elf’s Merry Mischief – Students write a creative story where their elf causes a bit of historical mischief! This optional extension activity lets students imagine their elf changing history in a fun and playful way.
• History Elf - Who Am I? Sheet – This biography sheet helps students organize and summarize their research on their historical figure, covering key achievements, personality traits, and interesting facts.
• Instructions and Grading Rubric – Clear step-by-step instructions for teachers and students, and a comprehensive rubric to guide assessment across creativity, historical accuracy, effort, and more.
• Example Projects - Examples included to give you a better understanding of the direction and design of the project!

Key Features:

• Engaging and Interactive: Blends holiday fun with historical learning to keep students excited about history.
• Perfect for Display: Creates a colorful and festive classroom showcase of “History Elves” with their biographies and stories.
• Flexible Usage: Use it as a stand-alone project, Christmas-themed assignment, or winter break activity!

Encourage your students to explore the past in a fun, memorable way with The History Elf Project! This unique activity is sure to become a holiday favorite in your classroom.

A fun and engaging holiday or winter project for any social studies class!

In this activity, students will choose a historical topic, event, or person to research. Based on their research, students will design a snow globe that represents their topic and write a short summary about their chosen topic!

Activity includes:

- Overview and instructions

- 5 different design/layout options

- Extension activity

- Grading rubric

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Use this crossword puzzle and word search combo to introduce and review key terms relating to the Civil Rights Movement of U.S. History!

Key Terms Include:

• CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT
• MARTIN LUTHER KING JR
• CIVIL RIGHTS ACT
• SIT IN MOVEMENTS
• FREEDOM SUMMER
• EMMETT TILL
• THURGOOD MARSHALL
• BROWN V BOARD
• ROSA PARKS
• VOTING RIGHTS ACT
• JAMES MEREDITH
• SELMA MARCH
• SCLC
• LITTLE ROCK
• MONTGOMERY BUS BOYCOTT
• MARCH ON WASHINGTON
• FREEDOM RIDERS
• MALCOLM X
• MEDGAR EVERS
• NAACP

Make Valentine’s Day meaningful in your classroom with this Valentine's Day Symbols and Traditions Crossword Puzzle! This activity combines learning and fun by introducing key terms and concepts related to Valentine’s Day. Whether you’re exploring its historical roots or simply celebrating the holiday, this resource is perfect for engaging students while building their vocabulary.

Key Terms include:

• Valentine
• Cupid
• Saint Valentine
• Heart
• Rose
• Bouquet
• February
• Chocolate
• Love Letter
• Friendship
• Cherub
• Admiration
• Gift
• Tradition
• Holiday
• Arrow
• Lovers
• Romance

Use this crossword puzzle and word search combo to explore the history of the Thanksgiving holiday with your students!

Key Terms Include:

• Wampanoag
• Gratitude
• Thanksgiving Proclamation
• Plymouth
• New World
• Pies
• Harvest Festival
• Squanto
• Mayflower
• Cranberries
• Pilgrim Hat
• Feast
• Harvest
• Turkey
• Thanksgiving
• Pilgrims
• Governor Bradford
• Cornucopia
• Autumn
• Colonists
• Tradition
• Proclamation
• Pumpkin
• Massasoit

A fun and engaging Thanksgiving (or anytime!) project for any social studies class!

Thanksgiving is finally here, and as your students are about to find out, this Turkey Day will be unlike any other. For this year’s feast, you’re inviting three special guests who will travel through time to join you! In this Thanksgiving-themed biography project, students will research the lives of three historical figures, plan out the perfect Thanksgiving dinner, and reflect on what each of their famous guests would be thankful for this holiday season!

Students will create a poster or digital presentation to discuss their historical figures and their Thanksgiving feast!

Project includes:

- Overview and Instructions

- List of 60 significant figures from history

- Printouts for each step of the project

- Grading Rubric and Poster Example

Great icebreaker activity to get students moving, engaged, and getting to know their classmates - perfect for the first day of school or back to school activities!

Save 30% when you purchase the Classroom Icebreakers Activity Bundle!

Looking for a fun and exciting way to incorporate Valentine's Day into your social studies classroom? Look no further than "Historical Heartthrobs: Valentines from Famous Figures!"

This engaging teaching resource features a collection of heartfelt Valentine's Day messages inspired by famous figures from history and pop culture. From influential leaders and activists to beloved artists and entertainers, each Valentine's Day message offers a unique and imaginative glimpse at some of history's most iconic individuals.

Students will use context clues, research skills, and their knowledge of history and pop culture as they read through the Valentine's Day cards to determine which "Historical Heartthrob" would have written it! With a diverse range of figures spanning different time periods and backgrounds, this resource encourages students to explore the lives of historical figures in a relatable and engaging way.

Activity includes:

- Historical Heartthrobs: Valentines from Famous Figures - World History Edition Worksheets

- Historical Heartthrobs: Valentines from Famous Figures - U.S. History Edition Worksheets

- Extension Activity: Create Your Own Historic Valentine!

- Answer Keys