Strategy Chart
Vocabulary Strategies                                           Description                                                                                   Downloads and/or websites                                                    
Word Wall
Print out unit terms on cardstock, laminate, and post on designated wall. May be used to review, to check spelling, and vocabulary games.

http://www.teachingfirst.net/wordwallact.htm

Grade level word walls

Vocabulary Cards
 Students complete vocabulary card and draw a visual reprsentation of the word. Several different templates are provided and may be modified to suit teacher's preference.

vocabulary visual template

vocabulary word map

vocabulary card

KIM

K=key idea           I= Information            M= memory clue

Great for unit vocabulary terms

KIM Template

KIM Example

Word Sort

or

Word-a-gorie

Students are provided a list of terms and must group them into categories.

Open sort = students create the categories themselves.

closed Sort= categories are provided by teacher.

Bill of Rights Word-a-gorie

American Revolution

   
Writing Strategies
Cubing
Students examine an event from 6 different sides. Before having students "cube" an event for the first time, have them "cube" a common item first (such as a shoe or belt) Cubing Instructions and Template (McGraw-Hill)
Acrostic Poem

An Acrostic Poem is a poem where the first letter of each line spells a word and each line gives details and helps explain the chosen word.

Acrostic Poem Example

Acrostic Poem Bill of Rights

Song rewrite
Students rewrite the lyrics of a song to describe a historical person, place, or event. Example instructions (Kevin Roughton)
"Be the Thing"

Students write a short explanation of their experiences as if they were a particular object from history

(examples:: Da Vinci's paintbrush, the pen used by King John to sign the Magna Carta).

Instructions and example (Kevin Roughton)
Group Writing
In small groups, students write a narrative using all provided vocabulary terms.

American Revolution Example

Enviromental Example - 6th grade

WWII example

RAFT

students write on a topic from a different viewpoint, to an audience connected with the subject, and in a form different from a standard essay or report:

Trail of Tears Example

Reading Strategies
Anticipation Guide
Students complete handout before reading the selection in order to pique interest and preview the topic. WWII example
List of Reading Strategies
A list of prereading, during reading, and post reading strategies are provided in handout on the right. 103 things
Visuals
What do you see?
Visual (on overhead or ppt) is uncovered one quarter page at a time. Students record only what they see. Instructions. Sample - made in ppt
   
5 Senses
In pairs or small groups, students complete "5 Senses" of someone in the visual. This activity works well followed up with a writing assignment such as: write a paragraph of what happens next...etc 5 Senses Graphic Organizer
   
Act Out
Project picture as large or life size as possible. Student(s) stands in front of person he represents, in the same pose. Teacher uses microphone to interview him. This is a great tool to use instead of students reading a report about someone. Sample pictures - in ppt
Quotes
Project a cartoon or other image and students fill in the quote box with what they imagine that person might say.

Example 1 Hitler Stalin

Example 2 Rosa Parks

Example 3 President

Graphic Organizers
Era Chart 

PEGS

 
Fabulous websites

instructional strategies

 

http://olc.spsd.sk.ca/DE/PD/instr/categ.html

http://www.webenglishteacher.com/readingmain.html

http://www.performance-education.com/toolbook_list.php#mw

My favorites:

http://mrroughton.com/

http://www.freesolstuff.com/

History clipart

reading strategies http://www.justreadnow.com/strategies/frayer.htm  
Interactive notebook

8th grade American History ISN

 
Grade Levels

Texas History 4th & 7th

8th Grade Class  PPTS and Reviews

Hippocampus

free, public website for high school and college students that offers multimedia correlated to most major textbooks.