Eureka Lessons

History Channel Thanksgiving Activity with Video, Guiding Questions, and Follow Up Activity

California Social Science Content Standard 5.3 Students describe the cooperation and conflict that existed among the American Indians and between the Indian nations and the new settlers If you’re searching for a fun and informative Thanksgiving activity to do with your students before the holiday, attached is a 50 minute lesson centered around History Channel’s “History of Thanksgiving” that…

Ghanian Kente Watercolor Salt Project

Ghanian Kente cloth with its beautiful geometric patterns and bright colors truly captures the vibrancy of West African culture.  It’s no wonder Kente cloth made a recent comeback in fashion.  If you’re a 7th grade history teacher looking for a fun activity to include in your West Africa unit, this inexpensive art project incorporates themes of geography, natural resources (hence the salt), and…

McDougal Littel’s ClassZone West Africa Geography Practice (Textbook Not Required)

Guiding Question: How did geography shape the development of West African empires of Ghana, Mali, and Songhai? Objective: SWBAT identify the locations of medieval West African trading empires and examine the ways geography shaped the cultural, religious, political, and economic landscape of Africa over time In this activity, students will label their physical maps of Africa (see below) with key…

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5 Things that Made Sumerian Civilization Awesome

Sumer is attributed with some of history’s greatest accomplishments.  What made all their awesomeness possible? Advanced City-States Complex Institutions Specialization Improved Technology Excellent Record Keeping [gview file=”http://www.eurekalessons.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/review-5-components-of-sumerian-civ.pptx”%5D [gview…

Empires of the Fertile Crescent & the Code of Hammurabi

TCI History Alive- The Ancient World (6th Grade History) Standard(s): Ca Content Standard History 6.2 Students analyze the geographic, political, economic, religious, and social structures of the early civilizations of Mesopotamia, Egypt, and Kush. Objective: SWBAT identify the major accomplishments of the empires of the fertile crescent.  They will also be able to interpret the Code of Hammurabi…

The 6Cs of History- Teacher Tool

The 6C method is a great way for students to critically analyze an historic event.  Using their notes and research, students identify the 6Cs- Context, Cause, Consequence, Continuity, Culpability and speculating about what Could’ve been- to explain its complexity.  Available for download are the 6C method explained and an example of 6C using the Great Depression. [gview…

Eureka Lessons’ Top 5 picks for 2016 Election Classroom Resources

It’s election year, teachers.  Many of you are probably excited to discuss the 2016 election in the classroom, but I know there’s a small population of you out there who loathe doing this every four years.  Why?  Maybe because some of the most obnoxious and least informed students also happen to be the most passionate and vocal about the election.   Or maybe explaining the flaws of the electoral…

The Growth of Humanism (power point)

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Renaissance People (power point & reproducibles)

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Florence & the Rise of Italian City-States (power points)

Florence, Italy was considered the cradle of the Renaissance for many reasons. For one, it was home to some of the greatest thinkers and artists of the time. Philosophers, writers, artists, and other humanists of the time flocked to Florence to learn and share the arts.  It was also a wealthy city-state ruled by the Medici family who just so happened to appreciate art and fund the works of some…

First Came Medieval, then Came Renaissance (power point)

A great way to start the Renaissance Unit is to ask students if they’ve discovered old styles from the past and have tried to bring them back.  Case in point, these interesting styles from the 90’s…  While we hoped the culottes and acid washed denim were buried in our past, it appears our youth has resurrected them through some 90’s inspired Renaissance. Then, using this brief power point,…

Artistic Styles of the Western Civilization (power point)

This power point guides students through a series of artistic styles of western civilization through different eras- classical, medieval, and Renaissance.  It teaches them to think critically about art and how it reflects the periods from which they were created.  It also contains a bit of tasteful nudity- mostly side butt and half draped “boobies” so depending on the maturity of your students,…

This is a short activity I like to do with students at the beginning of each year to open dialogue about ethnocentrism and to lay down rules for respectful discussion of world cultures.  Do not disclose the purpose of this activity to students before distributing.  Simply tell them that this is the first culture they’re going to learn about. [gview…

The Magna Carta and Emergence of Law in Great Britain (power point)

[gview file=”http://www.eurekalessons.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/The-Emergence-of-Law.ppt”%5D%5Bgview file=”http://www.eurekalessons.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/The-Emergence-of-Law-in-Britain.doc”%5D Alia Klein, “The Emergence of Law in Great Britain” March 2006. PowerPoint presentation.

What was the Black Death?  How did it get to Europe?  How did the Black Death change Europe’s social structure?