Using Sketchnotes to communicate the big ideas on Government

Sketchnotes are rich visual notes created from a mix of handwriting, drawings, hand-drawn typography, shapes, and visual elements like arrows, boxes, and lines (definition from Mike Rohde, The Sketchnote Handbook). 


Students summarized their notes on our government and the constitution by using a Sketchnote.  Here are some examples:

You can click on the images to get a better look at them.

Click here if you would like to see other examples of how Sketchnotes can be used in the classroom and its benefits:
http://www.simplek12.com/brightsparktravel/sketchnotes-in-the-classroom/

Click here if you would like to learn more about the connection with learning through visuals https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/get-psyched/201207/learning-through-visuals

Abe Lincoln's Dream

Students have been knee-deep in Civil War history. Students are connecting so many pieces from the American Revolutionary War to the Civil War.

Studying the Gettysburg Address, its meaning and its purpose, students prepare to learn a section of the address to create a Gettysburg Mashup.

To accompany our study, students also created a likeness of Abe Lincoln as inspired by Lane Smith's book pictured here:

Using lesson plans from the website: Deep Space Sparkle

students began making their Abe Lincoln.

Here you can see how each child's Abe Lincoln is paired with their section from the Gettysburg Address.

Below is our Mashup of the Gettysburg Address.  Want to know more about learning the address? Check out this site: Learn the Address Project

Link to our Gettysburg Mashup

Civil War centers

Finally! Students in action!  A glimpse at the picture center.

Textbooks in action

Photography Center/Podcast Reflection

Podcast Example

Civil War trunk

Thank you Mrs. F for volunteering and sharing your wisdom!

Just a glimpse into our day and a few of the centers! Such engaging learning going on!

Putting our notes and Social Studies resources to use!

Students worked with the program Canva to create an informational page known as an Infographic to 
communicate one idea that they have learned.  Here are some examples of finished products!

Well done for a first effort!

Research on the Constitution

Students have started to understand how did the Constitution impact the government as we know it today. Students are using books, articles,  a Padlet of resources, and the textbook to answer questions.

First, we shared what we thought the Constitution was about. This information was collected in a Wordle.

Then, students got busy!

Getting ready for the Branches of Government

Students will be transitioning to the Branches of Government and the US Constitution in November. How are we helping students with researching while using an iPad? We use a Padlet where all resources are curated and Internet searching is limited.