1. Create Your Own Social Studies Labs To engage your students using Social Sciences best practices!

2. Step 1 – Select Benchmark and Essential Question Use the pacing guide to review benchmarks and essential questions- http://socialsciences.dadeschools.net/pacingguides.asp http://socialsciences.dadeschools.net/pacingguides.asp

3. Step 2 – Create an Essential Question Essential questions should be thought-provoking, have multiple possible answers, and lend themselves to thinking, discussion and debate. Where to find essential questions: Pacing guides Other good resources: Guide to understanding and developing essential questions (http://www.ascd.org/publications/books/109004/chapters/What-Makes-a- Question-Essential%A2.aspx(http://www.ascd.org/publications/books/109004/chapters/What-Makes-a- Question-Essential%A2.aspx)

4. Essential Questions are already built into all elementary pacing guides

5. Step 3 – Find Sources Find a variety of sources (can be visual or written) that can help students answer the essential question. Try to find sources that will present various viewpoints. For example: Benchmark: SS.5.C.2.1- differentiate political ideas of Patriots, Loyalists and “undecided” during the American Revolution. Relevant to Seventh Grade End of Course Exam Tested Benchmark Essential Question: What is worth fighting for? Some of the sources should provide evidence that YES, The colonist didn’t have no other choice but, to declare independence from England; while other sources should provide counter-evidence.

6. How might this Poster help students to answer the essential question?

7. How might this graphic organizer help students to answer the essential question?

8. How might this quote help students answer the essential question?

9. Step 4 – Create an Activity Organize the activity in a way that makes it clear for students. For example, create a graphic organizer that students can use to help them analyze each source. Sample template:

10. Step 5 – Complete!