Social Studies - Resource Collection Reflection

While gathering my resources for the Resource Collection, I realized there were many resources out there that can be used in a grade 7/8 Social Studies class. I realized there were many lesson plans posted by other teachers that one can adopt and change however they wish. There were also multiple interactive resources that one can use to engage students. Resources such as, NASA, Pinterest and Youtube can be used for any grade level. If I had to teach a grade 7/8 Social Studies class, I believe I would use all these resources especially the lesson plans and the interactive websites. All in all, this assignment was really helpful because it was practical and can be of use in the classroom, whether it be during placement or in my own classroom. 

Social Studies - Resource 10 - NASA

NASA 

Retrieved from: NASA Image

This NASA website provides facts, resources, articles as well as solutions to global warming. This is a great site that can be used for the grade 7/8 Geography unit when global warming is being taught. Students can go on the website and gather quick facts such as, the carbon dioxide level, sea level and global temperature that is having an effect on our atmosphere. They can also investigate the cause, effect and vital signs of global warming.

I would use NASA in an inquiry lesson where students are required to use the website to answer questions concerning global warming.

Social Studies - Resource 9 - Pinterest

Pinterest

Retrieved from: Pinterest Image

Pinterest is a great resource that can be used for all courses at any grade level. It can be used in a grade 7/8 Social Studies class to find lesson plans or different activities and assignments for students. Pinterest can also be used to organize and upload your own lesson plans as well as activities. Students can also use Pinterest as their own resource for assignments/activities they are required to complete.

This specific Pinterest resource takes you to Grade 8 Lesson Plans from Ontario that would be of great to use in a grade 8 history class. Grade 8 Lesson Plans from Ontario  provides lesson plans and activities for topics such as the American Civil War and Black Canadian Migration Experiences. These topics are both in the curriculum  and should be covered in a history class.  All in all, this a great website that can be used to teach the entire grade 8 history class since it provides multiple resources and covers both strand A and B in the curriculum .

Social Studies - Resource 8 - Simulation

Interactive website - Simulation

Retrieved from: First Nations

This interactive website is a great resource that can be used to engage students when teaching the topic of the First Nations people in grade 7 history. This interactive website  allows students to witness how First Nations people used to live and their traditions. It makes the topic/lesson more relatable to students. This simulation can actually be used in any History class regardless of the grade.

Social Studies - Resource 7 - Historical Atlas

Historical Atlas of Canada

Retrieved from: Historical Atlas of Canada

Historical Atlas of Canada is a great resource that can be used when teaching both the history and geography unit in the grade 7/8 curriculum. Although most people would think an atlas could only be used in the geography unit, it can also be used in the history unit to teach students topics ranging from the French Exploration to the Native Population and Distribution. Historical Atlas of Canada can also be used as a resource tool students can use to investigate a given topic.

Social Studies - Resource 6 - CBC Learning

CBC Learning

Retrieved from: CBC

CBC Learning  provides multiple downloadable lessons for grade 5-9 social studies classes. It also provides project templates teachers can use for students as well as generic rubrics. CBC Learning can be used to teach grade 8 topics on Slavery, Immigration to New France, and Canadian Government. Although there are a variety of resources that can be used from this site, it is important to note that these resources are only meant to guide the teacher in the right direction rather than provide a full lesson plan.

Social Studies - Resource 5 - The History Education Network

The History Education Network

Retrieved from: The History Education Network 

Often times, teachers use the textbooks provided by the ministry as their primary resource for their classroom. Textbooks can be a good start but having multiple resources can really help teachers teach the subject more effectively.

This website provides multiple resources teachers can use when teaching a grade 7 or 8 history class. It can even be used as an interactive resource where students are given a topic to investigate using this website.

Social Studies - Resource 4 - Visual Database

The Archives of Ontario Visual Database

Retrieved from: Louis Riel

Incorporating visual aid activities in the duration of a lesson plan can be very beneficial for many students. The Archives of Ontario Visual Database is a database that includes drawing/pictures of many of the historical figures/events students will learn about during History in grade 7 and 8 Social Studies class. Images of historical figures can be used to encourage students to remember the impact these individuals had on history. Associating "faces" with the acts of these historical figures will make these figures more relatable to students.

Social Studies - Resource 3 - Geography Inquiry - Based Learning

Geography Inquiry assignment 

Retrieved from: Inquiry - Based Learning

Inquiry- based lessons begin with the teacher/student posing a question they would like to investigate. Students then attempt to answer their questions through research, experiment or activity. Inquiry-based learning encourages students to think deeper and develop their own thoughts as well as "inquire" about what they are learning. With that said, this activity is an inquiry assignment that can be given to a grade 7 Social Studies class during the Geography unit. This is a great resource as it engages students and encourages them to be more involved in their learning.

Social Studies - Resource 2 - History of New France

History of New France

Retrieved from: New France 

As the title suggests, this Youtube video, History of New France  gives a brief history about New France. This resource would be a great hook to use when beginning the History unit in grade 7 Social Studies. It is a short video but contains information that can provide students, who are about to start the History unit, a background about what they can expect to learn in the unit. The music in the background, along with the pictures and text, grab the students' attention and keeps them engaged.

Social Studies - Resource 1 - Interactive Assginment

Interactive Assignment

Retrieved from: Interactive Websites

This website - created by a teacher - contains multiple assessments that are presented in fun and interactive ways to students who are in grade 7 Social Studies class. The "Process" part of the site includes instructions on how to complete the assigned work successfully. It includes links in which students can go to for information on a specific issues covered in the grade 7 history curriculum.  It covers issues such as, what the French had as food sources, how they built their homes, what farming was like, and how their daily lives were. This assignment could serve as a summative assignment for the New France and British North America, 1713–1800 unit.

Riham's Resource #10 - Testmoz

Testmoz can be used when creating a test or a quiz as a formative assessment tool for students. It allows you, as the teacher, to easily input questions in many formats (multiple choice, true/false, multiple answer, and fill-in-the-blank). It also allows students to write the test/quiz online. That said, Testmoz can be used more as an assignment/homework students can complete at home or at any time when they have access to internet. For example,  Testmoz can be used when teaching the genetics unit in a SBI3U class.  For students to complete a given assignment, teachers can provide the link (URL) to the Testmoz assignment they prepared. Students would then enter their name and continue to write the given assignment. Testmoz is very easy to use for both the teacher and students. It provides instant feedback (right/wrong answers) to students as well as records their score. A demo can be viewed at https://testmoz.com/1.

Riham's Resource #9 - Bloom's Taxonomy

Retrieved from: Bloom's Taxonomy

This resource is a great guide for teachers when creating an evaluation in the form of a test or quiz. It breaks down the six categories of Bloom's Taxonomy and suggests common words that teachers can use when asking questions that are specific to a certain category. I would use this resource as a guideline on how to word certain questions when creating a test for my students. I actually used this resource when I wrote the SNC2D Chemistry Unit Test during my last placement.

Riham's Resource #8 - LearnBoost

I have use LearnBoost many times for a variety of reasons. LearnBoost can be used to record student marks/grades (gradebook) as well as record student attendance. One can also develop a seating plan using LearnBoost. The nice thing about LearnBoost is that it allows students and parents access to their marks that are up-to-date. Forming graphs that represent the class average on a particular assessment is also another available feature on LearnBoost.

As a student teacher, I have not yet had the opportunity to use all the features on LearnBoost but I look forward to using them in my own classroom. I have used LearnBoost as a mark book for my SNC2D class during my last placement.

Riham's Resource #7 - Rubric Maker

I would use Rubi Star as a rubric maker to assess my students on lab reports or projects. By using Rubi Star, teachers can create their own rubrics to satisfy what they are looking for. For example, if I assigned my students an infographic as an assignment, I would develop a rubric specific for the assignment. Rubi Star can also be used to develop a rubric for a science lab report at any grade level. Rubi Star is also very accessible and easy to use.

Riham's Resource #6 - Lab Report Checklist

Retrieved from: Checklist

In a science class, students are required to write multiple lab reports. I would use this Checklist to assess students on the first few lab reports to ensure they are including all of the important components of a lab report. I would provide a copy to my students and have them fill it out as they work through their lab report. Because this is a simple Checklist, I would use this resource for an applied science class (high school) or even an elementary grade science class (gr. 7-8). 

Riham's Resource #5 - Infographic

I believe infographics are amazing assessment tools. They allow students to portray their knowledge through images and words. When students develop infographics, they must decide what information is worthy of putting in their infographic, thus it teaches them how to "pick out" important information. I have developed this particular infographic for the cell cycle as an assignment exemplar for my students (in SNC1P) who were required to develop their own infographic describing what they learned in the biology unit. PiktoChart is a great website to use for infographics. It is easy to use and has many features student's will find handy. 

Infographics can be used as a formative or summative assessment tool. Personally, I would use it as an end of the chapter assignment in place of a test. 

Riham's Resource #4 - Lab Report Guide

Retrieved from: Classroom Freebies Too

In a science classroom, many times students are required to write a formal lap report. This resource is great for students to use when writing a formal lab report using the scientific method. By using the above handout, students ensure they are including everything they need to include in their lab reports. I would provide this handout to my students at the beginning of the year when the scientific method is first introduced. Every time students are required to write a formal lab report, I would encourage them to use this handout to ensure they are on the correct path to writing a good lab report. This resource can be used in the gr. 7 and 8 science classroom.

Riham's Resource #3 - Exit Card

Retrieved from: Positive Learning

I believe Exit Cards are a great resource for teachers to formally assess students. This particular Exit card asks questions which I think are important. By asking students questions such as "Why do you think we are learning about _________?" you allow students the opportunity to connect real world applications to what they are learning in school. Questions such as, "Did you learn anything that surprised you?" takes the student's interest into consideration. I would use this Exit Card at the end of  a class when a new topic is introduced. For example, I would use this Exit Card after I introduce the DNA chapter in grade 12 biology. 

Riham's Resource #2 - Missing Assignment Slip

Retrieved from: Missing Assignment Form

I have already made a post concerning my view on missed/late assignments. I mentioned that I believe students should be penalized for handing in late assignments because it teaches them responsibility and accountability. With that said, I believe this resource would come in very handy for the the students that submit assignments late or do not submit them at all. This is a great resource because it puts everything in writing. It allows students to see what marks were deducted because they handed their assignment late. It also allows the student to explain why they were not able to hand in the assignment on time. This is very important because sometimes the "excuse" may be valid thus should to be taken into consideration. If I was to use this slip, I would make sure to hand a filled-in copy to the student who missed the assignment as well as keep a copy for myself (to show to parents/administration/student if needed).