I decided to use a free resource I found online from Miami East Local Schools to teach this lesson. I like to use the app Explain Everything on my iPad to record videos because it resembles teaching using a whiteboard. It’s easy to import a document or slides and annotate with an Apple pencil.

I like to be consistent with how I set up each lesson’s guided notes. The icons match the corresponding components on my Google Site, which is my Learning Management System (LMS). The learning target has intentional blanks, so students read the corresponding target on the LMS and write the missing words. I’ll often add a pre-thinking question for students to consider before beginning the lesson. I ensure the guided notes follow the lesson’s learning progression so everything is very accessible for my students.

As much as I can, I try to provide practice opportunities that are collaborative and off-screen. This is a fun way for students to practice identifying whether sources are primary or secondary. Plus, they can check their answers from the answer key, building their independence and accountability and keeping me free to work with students who need my support.

I begin my mastery check by including the lesson’s objective. I try to push my students to apply their learning and show deeper understanding in the mastery check. For this one, I asked students to explain the difference between the primary and secondary sources to show whether they can define those terms (as in the objective). I occasionally add a Should Do to a mastery check to push students to take on an extra challenge. 

I keep this public progress tracker on the front screen during the class period. I move the “On Pace” icon over and start class by discussing what lesson is on pace for that day. I do write my students’ full names in the left-hand column. 

I try to recognize every student at some point during a unit using a star. We all come together for the last five minutes of the class period for shout-outs and acknowledgments.