I have created many resources for my students over the years, but this is one I’m especially proud of. Several months ago, I began compiling bell-ringer activities I’ve used in my classroom that build historical thinking skills. I brought them together in a single slide deck, with most incorporating primary sources. These activities often become the highlight of our class period. While they start as quick warm-ups, our discussions frequently extend well beyond a few minutes and I consider that time well spent.
Middle school students may forget many of the facts they learn, but the skills they develop through activities like these last far longer. As a Social Studies teacher, one of my central goals is to give students tools they can use in other classes and in their daily lives. The ability to analyze, question, and think critically about sources is one of those essential skills.
Primary source analysis is part of my daily classroom routine. If you are looking for quality sources, I recommend starting with the Library of Congress. Their website offers a wealth of free, reusable materials including maps, photographs, posters, cartoons, film clips, and more that work well in both U.S. History and Geography/World Cultures lessons.
For each bell-ringer, I create a slide with guiding questions or short tasks. I display it on my smartboard at the start of class and also hyperlink it in my weekly Google Classroom agenda. This way, students can revisit the activity anytime. These short exercises have become a cornerstone of how I teach, helping students build skills that extend far beyond the classroom.
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