Make your HASS lessons engaging with Interactive Notebooks
Put your hand up if you’re tired of using worksheets for History lessons?
Put your other hand up if you’ve resorted to the book of black line masters.
Ok, put your hands down – people might be watching. 😉
I’ve been there. You’re faced with tricky topics. You’re short on time. And you want to get it done and black line masters are a very handy tool – sometimes a life saver.
Don’t get me wrong! I’m not criticising BLMs, they have a place. But I guarantee your students groan when they see those worksheets coming. If you’re looking for ways to spice up your HASS lessons interactive notebooks are a great solution.
So what are Interactive Notebook activities?
Interactive notebook activities are like the sexy younger sister of worksheets. You know – she’s way more fun and, while the two share a resemblance, she’s definitely more glam and happening. Regular worksheets are a page of text with questions presented in a linear format. Interactive Notebook activities are far more hands on and well…interactive. They usually include cutting and folding components to create foldable displays. They might include 3D elements, and are often more colourful. They can also include charts and diagrams to present ideas and concepts. Students love putting them together and take pride in their work.
My reluctance to teach Federation lead me to create interactive notebook activities. My students were crying out for something fun and interesting. Creating a visual display of their learning helps students to engage with the topic. I find that students remember the lessons that included an interactive notebook activity. If you’re recalling an idea or concept covered earlier in the year you’ll hear comments like:
“I know that the Local Government manages garbage collection and the Federal Government manages immigration. I remember because we sorted their responsibilities in to their ‘briefcases’ last term.”
I could go on forever about Interactive Notebooks. They’ll revolutionise your HASS lessons.
If you check out our store you’ll see there are very few ‘standard’ worksheets. Even the simplest resource has some form of interactivity in it. One of our favourites is our For and Against Federation Activity. Or our Free Goal Setting Flip Book.
If you’ve used our interactive notebook activities we’d love to know.
PS. Did you know that Interactive Notebooks can be digital? Look out for our next post which will explore all things digital.