Digital Toolbox

Every teacher has a set of essential tools they generally rely upon—approaches, activities, and basic materials—to make teaching efficient and learning enjoyable. Your digital toolbox (Google site) for social studies will contain a variety of resources related to the topic of your multigenre project.

Each piece in the toolbox will exist as a separate page on your Google site. Each page should include the related SOL and a short narrative describing how the resource will be used. Your toolbox will include the pieces described below.

Library of Primary Sources
Highlight a collection of primary source(s) that will enhance the study of your multigenre topic. For each primary source selected, include a digital image, a brief annotation, and a link to the original. Here are some useful sites for finding primary sources.

You will need to carefully research how to cite these resources in APA format. Some sources will provide citation information in MLA, APA, and Chicago. For others, you will need to determine how to cite the primary source. Here are some helpful links.

Bulletin Board Mock-Up
Design a bulletin board related to the topic and/or unit of your multigenre project. Think about what visual items and primary sources might be included and how you will refer to the board throughout the unit of instruction. Provide a visual of the bulletin board, as well as a narrative describing how you envision using it.

Primary Source Lesson Plan
Write one lesson plan that uses strategies from your text or explored in class to teach about a particular aspect of your multigenre project using a primary source document. Your lesson should be a sense-making lesson that guides students in the review and analysis of the primary source.

Annotated Bibliography
Develop an annotated bibliography of books and digital resources to support your multigenre topic. Books selected should be written for students and appropriate for read-aloud selections independent reading. Digital resources can be for students or teachers. This bibliography should include a minimum of 4 books and 3 digital resources.

For books, each entry will include a cover image, a link to the book at a publisher or seller’s website, a reference in APA format, and a brief annotation written in your own words. Here is an example.

I Voted: Making a Choice Makes a Difference

Shulman, M., & Bloch, S. (2020). I voted: Making a choice makes a difference (First Edition). Holiday House.

This book provides a concise, child-friendly look at the voting process, starting with an example of the selection of a class pet and then comparing it to the election of a government official. It is quirky with fun illustrations. There is additional information in the back that explains the different branches of government. The book is very practical for the classroom and especially for younger readers.

For digital resources, each entry will include a screenshot of the resource, a link to it, a reference in APA format, and a brief annotation. Here is an example.

Capture the Flag

Berson, I. R., Berson, M. J., Snow, B., Chappell, J., Swift, A., Bendely, T., & Alghamdi, R.
(2017). Capture the Flag [App]. Amesbury, MA: Muzzy Lane Software. Retrieved
from KidCitizen, a Congress, Civic Participation, and Primary Sources Project from
the Library of Congress, https://www.kidcitizen.net/

KidCitizen is an instructional resource for students in grades kindergarten through fifth grade. This website provides various episodes on a variety of social studies topics, including civics, geography, and history. Each episode includes primary sources as well. In this episode, students explore the ways people use the flag to show characteristics such as pride, loyalty, and unity for the nation.

Here is a helpful resource for APA format for children’s books or other illustrated references.
Here is a helpful resource for APA format for electronic sources.
Here is a general resource for APA format.