Shark Tank: US History Edition

Ms. Sandra Wood, NFA Noche House Principal, would like to recognize Mr. Brian Carroll, US History Credit Recovery teacher. Mr. Carroll brings passion and a love of learning to each history lesson by creating exciting and innovative hands-on learning experiences with an intentional focus on student growth and success.  

Weekly lessons start with a driving question and today that question was, “How can we as historians effectively use evidence/research to support an argument?”  Once the class dives deep into the meaning of the driving question, Mr. Carroll moves into the “Research Phase” by allowing students “choice” to initiate an intentional focus on the assignment.  In this case he asked students to choose one of the thirteen colonies they have been studying and research the following components of that colony to create an argument for why their teacher, Mr. Carroll, should move his family to their colony.  Evidence had to be based on the following historical components: colony founder, origins, reason for settlement, climate/geography, economic characteristics, social characteristics, political characteristics, religion, major towns/cities, and the relationship with local Native American tribes.

Mr. Carroll makes sure to have every lesson highlighted for scholars by creating an “Anchor Chart” to look back upon when in doubt of the objective to be met.  Platforms for presentations included Flipgrid video, Poster using Canva, Letter, or Brochure.  On today’s Anchor Chart Mr. Carroll wrote the following:

Launch Event-Shark Tank Video Clip Activity with Virtual Fishbowl 

Research Phase: Students chose 1 of the original 13 Colonies, and researched the following components: colony founder, origins, reason for settlement, climate/geography, economic characteristics, social characteristics, political characteristics, religion, major towns/cities, and the relationship with local Native American tribes.

Project Deliverable: Students used the research gathered to create a pitch, convincing myself and my family that we should move to their colony. Students had a choice regarding how they wanted to create their pitch (Flipgrid Video, Poster using Canva, Letter, or Brochure). Students were required to include all research components in their pitch. 

Please check out the pictures below of how Mr. Carroll communicates with his scholars every Monday and Wednesday via Flipgrid.  Prior to letting his students soar with the Project Based Learning Colony Pitch assignment, he made sure they knew how to make a solid and worthwhile presentation. The Shark Tank videos brought on extra flavors to enhance Mr. Carroll’s recipe for scholar success.

Story and photos submitted by NFA Evening School (NFA Noche) principal, Ms. Sandra Wood.

ATTENTION: Are your scholars or colleagues doing something great? Please contact the district Communications Team at communications@necsd.net. We’d love to visit your class or event and/or post your pictures and recap to highlight the amazing accomplishments throughout our district!