“Everything is so linear, but this makes me think diagonally!” ~ a student describing Byrdseed.TV

Indiana ELA Standard: 4.W.5.a

Identify a specific question to address (e.g., What is the history of the Indy 500?).

Not Like The Others: Flowers
Not Like The Others: Flowers
Four flowers. One doesn’t belong. But which one? That depends on your argument.
Gr 1-8
Not Like The Others: 19th Century Presidents
Not Like The Others: 19th Century Presidents
Four 19th century presidents. One doesn’t belong. But which one? That depends on your argument.
Gr 1-8
Not Like The Others: 20th Century Presidents – Group A
Not Like The Others: 20th Century Presidents – Group A
Four 20th century presidents. One doesn’t belong. But which one? That depends on your argument.
Gr 1-8
Not Like The Others: US National Parks
Not Like The Others: US National Parks
Four US national parks. One doesn’t belong. But which one? That depends on your argument.
Gr 1-8
Not Like The Others: Microstates of Europe
Not Like The Others: Microstates of Europe
Four of the tiniest countries in Europe. One doesn’t belong. But which one? That depends on your argument.
Gr 1-8
Tournament of Ancient Inventions
Tournament of Ancient Inventions
Which of these inventions of the ancient world is most influential? Least useful today? Most taken-for-granted?
Gr 1-8
Animal Adaptation Tournament
Animal Adaptation Tournament
Which animal has the most interesting, most valuable, or strangest adaptations?
Gr 1-8
Not Like The Others: Deserts
Not Like The Others: Deserts
Which of these deserts is not like the others?
Gr 1-8
Not Like The Others: Mountains
Not Like The Others: Mountains
Which of these mountains is not like the others?
Gr 1-8
Not Like The Others: US Presidents
Not Like The Others: US Presidents
Four US presidents. One doesn’t belong. But which one? That depends on your argument.
Gr 1-8
The Resiliency Tournament
The Resiliency Tournament
Your students will set up a tournament to determine which person or character best demonstrated resiliency.
Gr 1-8
Create A Civilization: From Hunter Gatherers to Farmers
Create A Civilization: From Hunter Gatherers to Farmers
What happens when your civilization suddenly has a surplus of food? Think of the possibilities!
Gr 1-8
Content Imperatives: Contribuition
Content Imperatives: Contribuition
Pull on one thread and watch the whole topic move. Contribution asks: what single factor is quietly shaping everything else?
Gr 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
Content Imperatives: Origin
Content Imperatives: Origin
Take students back to the beginning by using the Content Imperative ⏺️ Origin.
Gr 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8
Depth and Complexity: ❓ Unanswered Questions
Depth and Complexity: ❓ Unanswered Questions
This underutilized tool focuses students on what we don’t yet know and even what we can’t know.
Gr 1-8
Historic Social Media
Historic Social Media
How would people from history have interacted online? Students will develop a conversation online between people involved in the same event from history.
Gr 1-8
An App For A Historical Figure
An App For A Historical Figure
What kind of an app could have helped Abe Lincoln accomplish his goals?
Gr 1-8