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DBQs

Document-Based Questions (DBQs) are assessment tools that require students to analyze and interpret primary and secondary sources to answer questions or construct essays. Commonly used in social studies and history classes, DBQs develop critical thinking, reading comprehension, and writing skills. By incorporating DBQs, you challenge students to synthesize information, draw conclusions, and support their arguments with evidence, fostering higher-order thinking abilities.

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"American Imperialism No. 1", Regents US History Short Essays teaching resource preview
Government & citizenshipWriting & reflection

"American Imperialism No. 1", Regents US History Short Essays

American Imperialism No. 1, Regents US History Short Essays This teaching resource prepares high school students for the updated New York State Regents exam in US History and Government that measures historical document analysis skills.

File
PDF
Level
10–12
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Bill of Rights: History Speaks . . . teaching resource preview
Government & citizenship

Bill of Rights: History Speaks . . .

A 'History Speaks' series resource teaching the Bill of Rights through political cartoon interpretation, court-decision analysis, and primary-source examination of each of the 10 amendments and their contemporary relevance.

Answers included
File
PDF
Level
4–8
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"Belief Systems No. 1": Regents Global 9 CRQ + Video Lessons teaching resource preview
Ancient civilizationsMaps & geography

"Belief Systems No. 1": Regents Global 9 CRQ + Video Lessons

A constructed-response question (CRQ) assessment modeled on the New York State Regents Global History and Geography exam, evaluating students' ability to analyze primary-source documents on belief systems.

Answers included
File
Multiple File Types
Level
9–10
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8th Grade U.S. History Formative Assessment for Fall Semester teaching resource preview
Maps & geographyWriting & reflection

8th Grade U.S. History Formative Assessment for Fall Semester

Formative assessment of students' ability to read and interpret historical documents (a map, a graph, a chart, a primary source diary entry, and a political cartoon) in a U.S. History / colonization context.

Answers included
File
Microsoft Word
Level
6–8
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Alamo: Remember the Alamo: Historic Monuments Series teaching resource preview

Alamo: Remember the Alamo: Historic Monuments Series

A historic-monuments series book teaching the story of the Alamo and the Texas Revolution through primary-source-style documents, timelines, and letters, part of a broader series on American historic monuments (grades 4-8).

Answers included
File
PDF
Level
4–8
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Black History Month Research & DBQ Projects – Grades 6–12 teaching resource preview
Government & citizenshipWriting & reflection

Black History Month Research & DBQ Projects – Grades 6–12

A 2-hour lesson plan for grades 6-12 offering choice-based Black History research options: Harlem Renaissance poetry analysis, a Civil Rights document-based-question (DBQ) essay, or a digital presentation connecting historical events to a contemporary issue.

File
PDF
Level
6–12
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Capitalism, Socialism & Communism – Compare Activity teaching resource preview
Modern history & world wars

Capitalism, Socialism & Communism – Compare Activity

Move from an initial comparison of economic systems to closer reading of contrasting viewpoints. Students examine excerpts and answer questions before considering how a system might be viewed by a worker, business owner, or other group. The packet combines a comparison chart, video-linked work, source questions, and synthesis organizers. Use the perspective tasks to encourage evidence-based explanations rather than one-word labels for each system.

File
Multiple File Types
Level
8–11
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Cheating: A Paired Text Writing Assignment teaching resource preview
Writing & reflection

Cheating: A Paired Text Writing Assignment

This resource is a Cheating: A Paired Text Writing Assignment. With this product, you will get: -Link to two cheating articles -An essay prompt -Brainstorming Outline -Writing Requirements - Rubric -PDF and Word DocumEnts (Editable)…

File
Multiple File Types
Level
9–12
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Chief Joseph Surrenders: History Speaks . . . teaching resource preview
Government & citizenshipMaps & geography

Chief Joseph Surrenders: History Speaks . . .

A multi-part U.S. history unit on Chief Joseph and the Nez Percé, covering their history, Chief Joseph's surrender, and related primary-source/media analysis.

Answers included
File
PDF
Level
4–8
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Constitution & Ratification DBQ teaching resource preview
Government & citizenshipWriting & reflection

Constitution & Ratification DBQ

Ask most students what the New Jersey Plan proposed and they will tell you: equal representation for every state. Ask them to find that sentence in the document and they cannot, because it is not there.

File
PDF
Level
6–12
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Crisis in Ukraine Lesson teaching resource preview
Maps & geography

Crisis in Ukraine Lesson

A teacher-directed lesson plan presenting background information and source artifacts on the Russia-Ukraine crisis, building student understanding of the conflict's causes.

Answers included
File
PDF
Level
9–12
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Document Based Question: Civil Rights Movement teaching resource preview
Government & citizenshipWriting & reflection

Document Based Question: Civil Rights Movement

This resource includes 8 primary sources of text and photographs, guided questions, and writing prompt about the Civil Rights Movement This can be completed in-class or at home.

File
Microsoft Word
Level
8–12
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European History: European Empires Learning Bundle teaching resource preview
Slavery & the Civil WarWriting & reflection

European History: European Empires Learning Bundle

A one-week 11th-12th grade World History and the West unit bundle on the establishment of European empires, covering empire building, the sugar/slave trade, and primary-source analysis.

Answers included Editable
File
Multiple File Types
Level
11–12
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