Student Engagement Strategies
Interpreting Political CartoonsPolitical cartoons are vivid primary sources that offer students insight into the public mood, underlying cultural assumptions, and attitudes of the times. Helping students analyze them offers them a different take on looking at primary sources as opposed to just reading a text and gives insight into how messages were spread to all citizens, even those who couldn't read.
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Digital PostersHaving students create digital posters allows students to combine utilizing technology in the classroom with their analysis and synthesis skills in order to create a project. This makes for engaging pedagogical practices.
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Gallery WalkDuring a Gallery Walk, students explore multiple texts or images that are placed around the room. It can be used this as a way to have students share their work with peers, examine multiple historical documents, or respond to a collection of quotations. This strategy is engaging because it requires students to physically move around the room, and can be especially engaging to kinesthetic learners.
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Think-Pair-ShareThis is a discussion technique that gives students the opportunity to take time and respond thoughtfully to questions and engage in meaningful conversations with their peers. Asking students to write and discuss ideas with a partner before sharing with the larger group gives students more time to compose their ideas and collaborate which helps them build confidence, encourages greater participation and often results in more thoughtful discussions.
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FoldablesFoldables are a great and useful tool to help students visually organize content material in a way that provides a visually engaging and clear manner.
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WebQuestWebQuests are a fun way to incorporate technology in the classroom while getting students to engage in and explore content material.
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Simulations and InteractivesSimulations and interactives are a great way to incorporate critical-thinking skills with content and application of knowledge while getting students to be actively engaged.
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Living ImagesThis strategy gets students working together to bring historical images to life. Not only does “living images” help students develop a deeper and richer understanding of a specific moment in history, but it also provides students with the opportunity to practice collaborating with their peers.
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