Author: Greg Dillon

Are you ready to take your French language learning to the next level? Explore the captivating world of French cinema with our comprehensive culture unit designed for French 3 students and beyond. Whether you’re teaching in-person or remotely, this versatile unit is packed with engaging materials to spark students’ curiosity and deepen their understanding of French film history, from its early beginnings to the influential New Wave movement of the 1960s.

Our French Cinéma Unit takes students on a fascinating journey through the evolution of French film, providing rich insights into its cultural significance and artistic innovations. With a focus on culture and civilization, this unit is perfect for educators seeking to integrate authentic cultural content into their language curriculum.

French Cinéma Unit, French 3 and up, plus remote access

• Comprehensive PowerPoint Presentations: Dive into French cinema history with our detailed PowerPoint presentations, covering everything from the early pioneers of French filmmaking to the revolutionary New Wave movement.
• Engaging Readings with Questions: Explore key themes and developments in French cinema through a series of carefully curated readings, accompanied by thought-provoking questions and answer keys for easy assessment.
• Visual Resources and Examples: Enhance students’ understanding of cinematic techniques and styles with visual resources, including examples of New Wave filming techniques and iconic scenes from classic French films.
• Online Access to Vocabulary Studies and Etudes: Provide students with remote access to vocabulary studies and interactive activities through our virtual classroom platform at InnovationAssessments.com/TestDrive. With auto-corrected questions embedded in the lessons, students can track their progress and engage with the material in a dynamic way.

Take Learning Beyond the Classroom:
Empower your students to become active participants in their language learning journey with our French Cinéma Unit. Whether in the classroom or online, this comprehensive resource offers a wealth of opportunities for students to explore, analyze, and appreciate French culture through the lens of cinema.

Get Started Today:
Ready to dive into the captivating world of French cinema? Visit our store on Teachers Pay Teachers to access our French Cinéma Unit and transform your language curriculum today! With engaging materials, comprehensive resources, and online access to vocabulary studies, this unit is sure to inspire and engage your students on their French language learning journey.

Unlock the magic of French cinema. Ignite your students’ passion for language and culture. Explore the French Cinéma Unit today!

Are you looking for an innovative and engaging essay prompt to enrich your American history curriculum? Look no further! Our unique essay prompt invites students to delve into key moments and themes in U.S. history through the analysis of primary source documents. Designed for educators teaching U.S. history at grade 11, this prompt provides a stimulating opportunity for students to explore, analyze, and interpret primary sources while honing their historical inquiry and critical thinking skills.

Our essay prompt challenges students to explore the constitutional and civic issue of civil rights and racial equality in early American history. Through the analysis of four carefully selected primary source documents, students will:

Resource at our TeachersPayTeachers store

• Document 1: Excerpt from a contract recording the sale of land along the Hudson River from Mahican Indians to Kiliaen van Rensselaer, 1630.
• Document 2: Image of Paul Revere’s drawing of the Boston Massacre.
• Document 3: Excerpt from a confidential letter, Jefferson’s message to Congress on the Expedition West.
• Document 4: Bartolomé de las Casas — Excerpts from The Very Brief Relation of the Devastation of the Indies.
• Document 5: Jefferson’s “original Rough draught” of the Declaration of Independence, 1776.
• Document 6: A traveler describes life along the Erie Canal, 1829.

Engage Students in Active Learning:
This essay prompt is designed to engage students in active learning experiences that foster historical inquiry, critical analysis, and historical literacy. By examining primary source documents, students will gain a deeper understanding of the complexities, contradictions, and enduring struggles that have shaped America’s constitutional and civic landscape.

• Passcodes for Online Versions in my virtual classroom at Innovation Website
• InnovationAssessments.com/TestDrive
• Give your students the passcodes to access online auto-corrected versions of the lessons in this unit. If you are a subscriber to Innovation, you can use the passcodes to import the activities into your own account and test banks. You can see and save student work that way. If not, just have your students send you a screenshot of their score on completing the task.
• Contact with Native Americans pt. 1, [preview]
• Contact with Native Americans pt. 2, [preview]
• Contact with Native Americans pt. 3, [preview]
• Contact with Native Americans pt. 4, [preview]
• English Colonies, part 1, [preview]
• English Colonies part 2, [preview]
• English Colonies, part 3, [preview]
• English Colonies part 4, [preview]
• English Colonies, part 5, [preview]
• New Amsterdam, [preview]
• French and Indian War part 1, [preview]
• French and Indian War part 2, [preview]
• French and Indian War part 3, [preview]
• 11.1 COLONIAL FOUNDATIONS quiz, [preview]

Enhance Classroom Instruction:
Integrate this essay prompt into your history curriculum to:

• Stimulate student interest and curiosity in key moments and themes in American history.
• Encourage students to analyze and interpret primary sources, strengthening their analytical and research skills.
• Foster meaningful class discussions and debates on issues of civil rights, racial equality, and social justice.
• Provide students with opportunities to develop their written communication skills through the composition of well-reasoned and evidence-based essays.

Unlock the Past with Teachers Pay Teachers:
Access our engaging essay prompt today on Teachers Pay Teachers. Whether you’re a history teacher seeking to inspire critical thinking and historical inquiry or a homeschooling parent looking for thought-provoking curriculum materials, our essay prompt offers a valuable tool for bringing American history to life in your classroom or homeschool environment.

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to empower your students to become active participants in the study of history. Visit our store on Teachers Pay Teachers to download our essay prompt and ignite a passion for historical inquiry and critical thinking in your students today!

• French Heritage “Patrimoine” Unit, French 3 and up, plus remote access – Study of French heritage (monuments, buildings, immaterial heritage, preservation efforts and discussion). On sale at our TeachersPayTeachers store.

Embark on a captivating journey through French heritage with our immersive culture unit tailored for French 3 students and beyond. Rooted in a pedagogical approach that emphasizes cultural exploration, this comprehensive package offers an in-depth exploration of France’s rich architectural and intangible heritage. Crafted with both in-person and remote learning in mind, our adaptable materials provide educators with the flexibility to seamlessly integrate cultural studies into their curriculum, whether in print or online.

Dive into the essence of French patrimoine with our three meticulously designed PowerPoint presentations, totaling 31 slides, covering architectural marvels and intangible cultural artifacts. Enhance vocabulary acquisition with our tier 2 word list, thoughtfully curated to facilitate reading comprehension and linguistic fluency. Immerse yourself in the captivating world of French heritage through four engaging readings complemented by comprehension questions, as well as thought-provoking inquiries tailored for six enlightening videos. Additionally, ignite students’ creativity and critical thinking with two composition assignments designed to deepen their understanding and appreciation of French cultural heritage. Plus, gain exclusive access to our virtual classroom at Innovation, where students can further explore and engage with the rich tapestry of French patrimoine. Elevate your French language curriculum and inspire a deeper connection to French culture with our dynamic and comprehensive French Heritage “Patrimoine” Unit.

Short Essay Prompts, New York State Regents US History and Government 

Unlocking America’s Past: An Exploration of Historical Documents

Join us on a journey through America’s dynamic history with our two groundbreaking products designed to enhance historical document analysis skills and deepen understanding of pivotal periods in American history.

Product 1: Regents US His. Short-Essays “A Nation in Transition” plus Videos

Delve into the transformative era of 19th-century America with our meticulously curated collection of primary sources. Engage in critical analysis as you explore letters from pioneering women activists like Elizabeth Cady Stanton, alongside Senate debates on the Kansas-Nebraska Act. Our comprehensive set includes scoring rubrics, sample student essays, and exclusive access to video lessons with embedded auto-corrected questions. Uncover the voices of change and gain insights into the struggles for equality and justice that shaped the nation.

Documents:

1. Elizabeth Cady Stanton to Susan B. Anthony
2. Excerpt from the Senate Debate on the Kansas-Nebraska Act, 1854
3. Excerpt from the Virginia Resolution, 1798
4. William Lloyd Garrison Introduces The Liberator, 1831

Product 2: Regents US His. Short-Essays “Reconstruction Policies and Jim Crow” plus Videos

Explore the complexities of post-Civil War America with our comprehensive resource focusing on Reconstruction policies and the rise of Jim Crow laws. Analyze primary sources such as the Semi-annual report on schools for freedom, and a newspaper article from the Richmond planet. Gain a deeper understanding of the socio-political landscape through documents like Charles Sumner’s address on the power struggle between the President and Congress, and an excerpt from the Mississippi Black Code. With scoring rubrics, sample student essays, and video lessons, uncover the nuances of America’s evolution during this transformative period.

Documents:

1. Semi-annual report on schools for freedom, 1866
2. Newspaper Article in the Richmond planet, 15 September 1900, Page 8
3. “One Man Power vs. Congress” address, Charles Sumner (Mass.), Boston 2 October 1866
4. Excerpt, Mississippi Black Code (1865)

Immerse yourself in America’s past and unlock the complexities of its history with our engaging and comprehensive educational resources. Visit our blog to learn more about our teaching methods and how these products can elevate your classroom experience.

I submit two new “Enduring Issue” essay prompt modeled on the New Regents examinations in New York State. This Enduring Issue Essay presents the students with five documents, from which they select three to support some enduring issue they see through history.

Available at our TeachersPayTeachers store:

• Regents Global 9 Enduring Issue Essay, “Of Decandance and Empire’s Fall”
• Regents Global 10 Enduring Issue Essay, “On Students in Revolt”

Both products include access to video lessons with embedded questions here at Innovation so your students can review the historical context before writing their analysis.

Video Lesson previews

• Ancient Rome part 1, [preview]
• Ancient Rome part 2., [preview]
• Ancient Rome part 3., [preview]
• Transforming the Roman Republic, [preview]
• Ancient Rome part 4, [preview]
• Early China and the Qin Dynasty, [preview]
• Han Dynasty, [preview]
• Competing Ideologies of the 20th Century part A,  [preview]
• Competing Ideologies of the 20th Century part B,  [preview]
• China in the 20th Century part 1, [preview]
• China in the 20th Century part 2,  [preview]
• Clash with Modernity: Iran,  [preview]

Of Decadence and Empire’s Fall

When empires start to crumble, the “group feeling” that Ibn Khaldun noted as the binding force of society begins to unravel. In the face of the stress of migrations, invasions, internal political polarization, economic distress there comes a disintegration of morals and customs of courtesy. This does not go unnoticed by everyone. In Of Decadence and Empire’s Fall, students explore primary sources from the Roman Empire and the Han Dynasty. They may see the warnings from the wise about a decline in moral behavior. They may piece together similar contributing factors to the disintegration of a political unit.

Document excerpts included in this essay prompt:

1. Excerpt, The Conspiracy of Catiline, Gaius Sallustius Crispus, 63 BCE
2. Excerpt, Sima Qian and Laissez-Faire:Manifestations of a “Discordant and Degenerate Age”
3. Excerpt, St. Jerome, “Letter 127: To Principia”, 412CE
4. Excerpt, A Translation of the Chronicle on the ‘Western Regions’ from the Hou Hanshu, the dynastic history of the Han dynasty
5. Painting, The Course of Empire: Destruction (1836) by Thomas Cole

On Students in Revolt

Those of us who have taught high school for decades are well acquainted with adolescent rebelliousness. Frankly, I respect it, I expect it, and I wonder about the young person who is not a little instinctively resistant. Be that said, I know that I am usually right anyway. : )

When the proportion of young in the population gets high, such as in Iran in the late ’70s and the US when the Baby Boomers came to late teens, you can bet there will be social upheaval! In “On Students in Revolt”, students in Global Studies 10 (New York State curriculum) will examine primary sources related to times in history when students were the impetus for change. These are not generally positive, which I hope does not reveal a middle aged bias on my part.

Document excerpts included in this essay prompt:

• Report by Louis P. Lochner, Head of the Berlin Bureau of the Associated Press (10 May 1933)
• Mr. Dai, a sociologist in Beijing, attended Tsinghua University High School, where the first Red Guard groups were formed.
• On the Hostages’ Release, AFP Press Release, 14 January 1980
• The Prague Spring of 1968, image
• Paris: May 1968, Eyewitness Account

Regents Global 9 Enduring Issue Essay Prompt: Belief Systems

This particular enduring theme essay began as an exploration of the idea that spiritual leaders in history often had “wilderness experiences” as part of their own religious awakening. This is the best-selling enduring issue essay prompt product from our store at TeacherPayTeachers that I would like to showcase today.

The enduring issue essay is a task in the curriculum and state testing in New York State for Global History and Geography. Students examine a set of documents and compose an essay making the case for an enduring historical issue that they observe, combining documents and their knowledge of the historical context.

Visit our store at TeachersPayTeachers for a full range of enduring issue essay prompts!

Documents 1-4 of this prompt are selections from religious texts giving evidence for the following: Jesus’ forty days in the desert and subsequent temptation, Buddha’s temptation by Mara in the forest, Muhammad’s visits to the cave where he receives the revelation from the angel Jibreel, Joseph Smith’s walk in the 1832 New York woods to meet Jesus. Document 5 is a map of Abraham’s journey from the Torah.

Strictly speaking, the Regents enduring essay task will be something a bit different from this. However, the theme works nicely in a unit on the world’s belief systems.

When I developed this task, I did have one common theme in mind to start, however students may see others, which I illustrate in the sample student essays included in the product.

This enormous project also includes a modified version of the readings for special education purposes as well as a complete collection of video lessons on belief systems. These video lessons include embedded, auto-corrected questions to guide practice.

Preview one of the video lessons here

I invite the reader to peruse our store and explore the other thought-provoking document-based essay prompts we offer! Support great scholarship with quality materials!

Striking a Balance: Leveraging Innovation Teaching Platform for Effective Pedagogy

In the ever-evolving landscape of education, the debate between teaching to the test and teaching to the standard persists, presenting educators with a perpetual challenge: how to strike a balance between preparing students for standardized assessments while also ensuring they acquire the essential knowledge and skills outlined in educational standards. Fortunately, innovative teaching platforms like Innovation Assessments offer a multifaceted approach to pedagogy that can help educators navigate this delicate balance and promote best practices in teaching and learning.

Utilizing Comprehensive Learning Management:

At the heart of the Innovation teaching platform lies a comprehensive learning management system designed to streamline content creation, assessment, and student engagement. By leveraging this robust platform, educators can seamlessly align their instruction with established educational standards while also incorporating targeted test preparation strategies.

Balancing Test Preparation and Conceptual Understanding:

Innovation Assessments provides educators with the tools to integrate test preparation within a broader framework of standards-aligned instruction. Through features such as customizable assessments, practice drills, and automated grading, educators can ensure that students receive targeted support in mastering both the content knowledge and test-taking skills necessary for success on standardized assessments.

Fostering Inquiry-Based Learning:

One hallmark of effective teaching practice is the promotion of inquiry-based learning, which encourages students to explore, question, and construct their understanding of the world around them. With its diverse array of multimedia resources, interactive activities, and collaborative tools, the Innovation platform empowers educators to create engaging learning experiences that foster curiosity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills in students.

Personalizing Instruction to Meet Diverse Needs:

Recognizing that every student is unique, the Innovation platform offers personalized learning features that allow educators to tailor instruction to meet the individual needs, interests, and learning styles of their students. From adaptive assessments that adjust to students’ proficiency levels to customizable learning pathways that provide targeted remediation and enrichment, educators can ensure that each student receives the support and challenge they need to succeed.

Empowering Educators with Data-Driven Insights:

In addition to facilitating student learning, the Innovation platform equips educators with valuable data-driven insights into student performance, engagement, and growth over time. By analyzing student data and trends, educators can identify areas of strength and weakness, inform instructional decision-making, and implement targeted interventions to support student success.

Promoting Continuous Professional Growth:

Lastly, the Innovation platform serves as a catalyst for educators’ continuous professional growth by providing access to a wealth of resources, professional development opportunities, and collaborative communities. Through ongoing training, peer collaboration, and reflective practice, educators can refine their pedagogical approaches, stay abreast of emerging best practices, and ultimately elevate the quality of instruction in their classrooms.

In conclusion, while the debate between teaching to the test and teaching to the standard may persist, innovative teaching platforms like Innovation Assessments offer a holistic solution that transcends this dichotomy. By harnessing the power of technology to integrate test preparation within a broader framework of standards-aligned instruction, foster inquiry-based learning, personalize instruction, empower educators with data-driven insights, and promote continuous professional growth, the Innovation platform emerges as a potent tool for promoting best practices in teaching and learning. As educators embrace this multifaceted approach, they can navigate the delicate balance between preparing students for standardized assessments and equipping them with the knowledge, skills, and dispositions needed for success in the 21st century and beyond.