Lesson Ideas

Lesson Idea #1:  Gaming in Social Studies

Click here for my sqworl on Gaming in Social Studies:  http://sqworl.com/4xzdul

Above is a link to some fun, easy games to implement in a social studies classroom, please look around and enjoy.  It has been my own experience that games help introduce and reinforce content in a fun way.  The first couple of rows have different articles and blog posts about gaming in the classroom.  My two most favorite sites are:  iCivics and Mission US.  Both of these sites have excellent, additional resources to supplement and build on the games.

Lesson Idea #2:  Quizlet

Quizlet is listed in the gaming in social studies link found above, but I thought I would quickly go over how I use it.  First, Quizlet is a free, versatile website which allows your students to review terms and other knowledge level information.  Many people use it in the their classrooms from elementary teachers to high school teachers.  You can embed flashcard sets into a blog or LMS such as Moodle or Edmodo.  It can be used on mobile devices which make it a great tool.  And, the best thing is my students really respond to it.

Here are my procedures:

1)  Since I teacher 8th grade, I do have all my students register with their school e-mail not through Facebook (My district blocks Facebook).  Afterwards, I send out invites for them to join my classes.
--Each block has an individual class in order for me to better see who is using it.

2)  I do take time in class with most of my classes to use Quizlet (10-15 minutes).  If I can get them to see the options avaliable for review, they do start using it on their own. 
--Students without wifi can save the flashcards as a PDF.

3)  Also, I sometimes print out the flashcards and have students find their match.  It is a good review and gets them up and moving.

This is a very brief explanation of how I use it.  If you have any questions, please contact me via twitter (@ballardam).