ETE 335

Elementary Social Studies Lesson

deBonos Thinking Hats
ETE 335
Elementary Social Studies Lesson
deBonos Thinking Hats
J essica Sullivan
Colonial Times
6
th
Grade
Fighting for Independence

ETE 335
Elementary Social Studies Lesson
deBonos Thinking Hats
Goals:
This lesson will effectively teach students about colonial times.
Students will all be able to be engaged through the Thinking Hats
approach.

Objectives:
Content/Knowledge:
Students will know what caused the American Revolution
Students will know about the thirteen colonies and life during the
colonial times
Students will know the goals of the Declaration of Independence
Process/Skills:
Students will be able to verbally express their ideas
Students will be able to write their ideas down
Students can create a board game which applies to the topics
covered.

Values/Dispositions:
Students know their own opinions and can communicate them

ETE 335
Elementary Social Studies Lesson
deBonos Thinking Hats
Rationale:
This lesson is important for students to grasp because of
State Goal 16. Students need to know how America was
founded and on what grounds.

Standards:

State Illinois Common Core or Learning Standards
16.B.3b (US)

National NCSS Themes
United States Era 3 Standards 1A, 1B
Objective
Students will write down what they
know about the thirteen colonies and
the Declaration of Independence by
answering fact based questions.

Ex: What was the first colony?
Name who signed the Declaration of
Independence?
What was one reason the colonies
wanted independence?

Materials:
Paper
Pencils
Objective
Intuitive
Students will journal to one of the following questions:
Would you have wanted independence if you were a
colonist? Why?
Why do you think England did not want to grant the
colonists independence?

Intuitive
Materials:
Paper
Pencil
Positive/Strengths
Positive/Strengths
For this hat we will have a class discussion. Students
will say what good things they think might come out of
gaining independence.

No materials needed. It may be beneficial to have the
students arrange their desks in a big circle for the
discussion.
Negatives/Weaknesses

For this hat, the previous discussion will be continued
however now focusing on what could have gone wrong from
trying to gain independence from England.

No materials needed. Again, it may be helpful to have desks
arranged in a circle for the discussion.
Negatives/Weaknesses
Creative
Creative
Students will create their own board game about the
colonies and their fight for independence.
Students will use pre-written review questions about
this time in history and develop a board game.
Students will then take turns playing the games

Materials:
Paper
Markers
Colored pencils
Game pieces
Dice
Scissors
Glue
Thinking About Thinking
Thinking About Thinking
Students will take a written quiz covering all of the
topics that were discussed. They will also be asked
how confident they are in their answers.

Materials:
Paper
Pencils
ETE 335
Elementary Social Studies Lesson
deBonos Thinking Hats
Visual Learning, Assessment, and Online Resources:
Assessment:
Students will be assessed based on the completion of the
written assignments and board games as well as their
participation in class playing the games and in the discussions.

Online Resources:
https://delicious.com/jcsullivan/tag_bundle/Chapter%206