Social+Studies

Activity ideas
 * Listen to digital **recordings** of speeches, radio broadcasts, oral histories, music, etc. Sites such as Primary Access enable users to combine primary resource media to create digital movies, online stories, and more. "Great Speeches in History" has podcast recordings of famous speeches.
 * Conduct an **interview** of a person and document using Audacity (audio), Flip video camera, or still photos. Assemble using presentation software, online multimedia (i.e. VoiceThread, Glogster). Interviews can also be conducted using Skype.
 * Partake in **simulations** mirroring complexities of the real world. TheStock Market Game, //Civilization, Revolution!// software, and the sites found on Simulations are a few examples.
 * Create a **timeline** of a sequence of events, using Timeliner software, PhotoStory, VoiceThread, or some of these Web 2.0 tools
 * Review content using free online **Jeopardy** tools from SuperTeacherTools, or Jeopardy Labs. There are many free templates for the SmartBoard - or use the Notebook Lesson Activity Toolkit to create your own quizzes and activities.
 * Using a **diary** format, students write about an event from the past using a first-person perspective. Diaries can be published in a blog, page layout software such as Publisher, Google Docs, or Youblisher - a free online tool that transforms a PDF into virtual flippable pages of a book.
 * Create a **historical narrative** of a character or event. Use collaboration tools such as Google Docs, wikis, or a blog to co-write story.
 * Write about an event in **comic strip** form, using tools such as MakeBelieveComix or Chogger
 * **Impersonate** a historical figure or engage in a mini-play. Record and create a simple movie, using MovieMaker, iMovie, or the FlipShare (for Flip camera). Publish onto YouTube, TeacherTube, etc.
 * Create a **virtual field trip** or document an actual one, incorporating photos or movie footage and assembling using MovieMaker, iMovie, or PhotoStory.
 * Discuss opposing viewpoints or a **debate**, organizing ideas using Inspiration/Kidspiration, Webspiration//.// Format can also include Wikis, discussion boards on Moodle/Blackboard, blogs, or even VoiceThread
 * Parse **data** from the CIA World Factbook, create graphs, and analyze findings.
 * Document the routes of famous travelers or historical events (i.e. war) using Google Earth. Save pinpoints and share.
 * **Collaborate** with schools around the world using Skype and Ning sites such as Around the World with 80 Schools. Learn about culture of different places, geography, societal concerns, etc.
 * //Find many more activity ideas from this// PDF
 * Take a **current event** and post it on **WallWisher** or on a class **blog**. Students write their comments/discussions on it in class or that night. Share the next morning.
 * Create a **fake Facebook profile page** using MyFakeWall for a fictitious character or biography on a famous person.
 * Take a virtual tour of select UNESCO sites (man-made and natural) in Google Street view using the Google World Wonders project or visit various cities in 360° panoramas in the 360 Cities project.