Historical Thinking, 7-12

http://docsteach.org/
DocsTeach, a new online tool from the National Archives, combines primary source content with interactives. Teachers can search for activities by keyword, era, or the historical thinking skills they want to teach. The information includes a representation of the level of critical thinking required, illustrated by an icon reflecting Bloom’s Taxonomy; the historical era in which the activity fits; an activity synopsis; and instructions. Teachers can customize any activity.
Teachers can browse or search for activities by era, based on the historical thinking skills they want to teach, according to an interactive DocsTeach.org activity creation tool, by keyword or even by activity author. The information includes an indication of the historical thinking skill students will practice; a representation of the level of critical thinking required, illustrated by an icon reflecting Bloom’s Taxonomy; the historical era in which the activity fits; an activity synopsis; and instructions. Teachers can customize any activity to fit the needs of their unique classroom by selecting “Use to Create an Activity” to make a new activity based on a current one; edit existing activity information and student instructions; or choose alternative primary source documents. Teachers can create a new activity with its own Web address, and can save and organize their activities in their own account and share them with their students.