Authentic Lessons for 21st Century Learning

Author Profile

Laura Halstied's Profile

Profile Picture

Laura Halstied

LEARN Author

K20 Center

Academic Credentials

Bachelor of Arts in Political Science
University of Central Oklahoma 2002
Master of Arts in Political Science
University of Central Oklahoma 2005

About Me

Laura Halstied serves the K20 Educational and Community Center as a Social Studies Curriculum Writer and Instructional Designer. Laura and the fellow instructional design team work to develop high-quality resources for K12 schools that support the mission of the K20 Center and its projects.

Recent Publications

Yours, Mine, and Ours, Part 2

Powers of the Federal Government and the States

Grade Level Grade Level

  • 9th - 12th

In Part 2 of this lesson on federalism, students discuss a political cartoon, summarize governmental powers, and illustrate a given power. Learning will be extended by analyzing how the federal government influenced the states to change their drinking age. Finally, students complete a justified true... Read more »

Lesson 5E Lesson
Yours, Mine, and Ours, Part 2

Powers of the Federal Government and the States

Grade Level Grade Level

  • 9th - 12th

Subject Subject

  • Social Studies

Course Course

  • U.S. Government

Copied To Clipboard Standards

  • USG.3.2, USG.3.2A, USG.3.2B, USG.3.2C, USG.3.2D, USG.3.2E
More
Time Frame
To Limit, or Not to Limit

Characteristics of Limited and Unlimited Governments

Grade Level Grade Level

  • 9th - 12th

In this lesson, students will learn about and explore characteristics of limited and unlimited governments. After accessing their prior knowledge about governments, students will analyze quotes about governmental power, classify characteristics of governments, and explore historical and contemporary... Read more »

Lesson 5E Lesson Online Hybrid
To Limit, or Not to Limit

Characteristics of Limited and Unlimited Governments

Grade Level Grade Level

  • 9th - 12th

Subject Subject

  • Social Studies

Course Course

  • U.S. Government

Copied To Clipboard Standards

  • USG.1.1, USG.1.2
More 2 periods
Time Frame 75 minutes
Cut It Out With iMovie

Time Frame Time Frame

  • More Than 30 Minutes
Instructional Strategy

Students collaborate to summarize content, create illustrations, and record a brief video about a research topic or recently covered topic that demonstrates...

Tech Integration

With iMovie, it is possible to create videos as part of a unit or lesson, to introduce a concept, or to use for student products.

View Guided Instructions »
Tech-Integrated Strategy

User Group Group Size

  • Small Group

Copied To Clipboard Placement In Lesson

  • Explore/Learning Activity, Explain/Closing, Evaluate/Assessment

Time Frame Time To Complete

  • More Than 30 Minutes

Tag Intention Or Purpose

  • Active Engagement, Collaborate, Critical Thinking, Evaluate, Interpret, Present, Problem Solving, Reflection, Review, Speak & Listen, Student Choice, Summarize, Synthesize

Grade Level Grade Level

  • 3rd - Undergraduate
I Notice, I Wonder With Padlet

Time Frame Time Frame

  • 10 - 20 Minutes
Instructional Strategy

Students use guided inquiry to create and answer good questions from the information at hand, activating their prior knowledge and engaging them in...

Tech Integration

Padlet is a web app that works like a digital bulletin board. Students and teachers may use Padlet to share ideas and collaborate by posting notes,...

View Guided Instructions »
Tech-Integrated Strategy

User Group Group Size

  • Whole Class

Copied To Clipboard Placement In Lesson

  • Engage/Opening, Explore/Learning Activity, Explain/Closing

Time Frame Time To Complete

  • 10 - 20 Minutes

Tag Intention Or Purpose

  • Activate Prior Knowledge, Collaborate, Critical Thinking, Hypothesize, Identify, Infer, Reflection, Speak & Listen

Grade Level Grade Level

  • 6th - 12th
VlogIt With Flip

Time Frame Time Frame

  • 20 - 30 Minutes, More Than 30 Minutes
Instructional Strategy

VlogIt helps students reflect on their learning and provide meaningful feedback to teachers. Students can summarize and analyze information in short...

Tech Integration

Flip is a free video discussion app you can use to capture student voice.

View Guided Instructions »
Tech-Integrated Strategy

User Group Group Size

  • Individual, Large Group (at least 30), Medium Group (at least 10), Small Group, Small Group (at least 4), Whole Class

Copied To Clipboard Placement In Lesson

  • Extend/Additional Learning Activity, Evaluate/Assessment

Time Frame Time To Complete

  • 20 - 30 Minutes, More Than 30 Minutes

Tag Intention Or Purpose

  • Analyze, Collaborate, Elaborate, Evaluate, Interpret, Persuade, Present, Reason, Reflection, Research, Review, Student Choice, Summarize, Synthesize

Grade Level Grade Level

  • 3rd - 12th
Six-Word Memoirs With Mentimeter

Time Frame Time Frame

  • Less Than 10 Minutes
Instructional Strategy

This is a strategy of brevity. You can say a lot briefly. Six-Word Memoirs does just that. Students describe topics in six words. Saying less requires...

Tech Integration

Mentimeter enables you, while teaching, to visualize your students' opinions with real-time graphs and charts. Get input from in-person or online students...

View Guided Instructions »
Tech-Integrated Strategy

User Group Group Size

  • Individual, Small Group

Copied To Clipboard Placement In Lesson

  • Extend/Additional Learning Activity, Evaluate/Assessment

Time Frame Time To Complete

  • Less Than 10 Minutes

Tag Intention Or Purpose

  • Critical Thinking, Elaborate, Review, Summarize, Synthesize

Grade Level Grade Level

  • 7th - 12th
A Seat at the Table

Unitary, Federal, and Confederal Systems of Government

Grade Level Grade Level

  • 9th - 12th

In this lesson, students will discover the attributes of three systems of government by discussing advantages and disadvantages of each type and then sorting characteristics of each type. Students will reflect on potential issues faced by citizens living under each type of system and will summarize... Read more »

Lesson 5E Lesson
A Seat at the Table

Unitary, Federal, and Confederal Systems of Government

Grade Level Grade Level

  • 9th - 12th

Subject Subject

  • Social Studies

Course Course

  • U.S. Government

Copied To Clipboard Standards

  • USG.1.3
More 1-2 class period(s)
Time Frame 75 minutes
Yours, Mine, and Ours, Part 1

An Introduction to Federalism

Grade Level Grade Level

  • 9th - 12th

In this lesson, students are introduced to the concept of federalism. Students will begin by analyzing statements about governmental power, then reading a short narrative to locate references to the government's role in our daily lives. Students will then watch a video about federalism, complete a graphic... Read more »

Lesson 5E Lesson
Yours, Mine, and Ours, Part 1

An Introduction to Federalism

Grade Level Grade Level

  • 9th - 12th

Subject Subject

  • Social Studies

Course Course

  • U.S. Government

Copied To Clipboard Standards

  • USG.3.1
More 1-2 period(s)
Time Frame 90 minutes

Week 16 of the Concurrent Enrollment Tool Kit is designed to assist you in discussing with students the importance of taking time for self-care and decompression. Read more »

Educator Resource
More
Time Frame 5-10 minutes

Week 14 of the Concurrent Enrollment Tool Kit is designed to assist you in discussing with students how to successfully give presentations for concurrent enrollment courses. Students are provided with a Presenting Dos and Don'ts handout for reference. Read more »

Educator Resource
More
Time Frame 10 minutes