TITLE: GETTING TO KNOW YOUR TEXTBOOK
AUTHOR: Margaret E. Lovejoy, Houston Junior/Senior High;
Big Lake, Alaska.
GRADE LEVEL: 8th Grade
OVERVIEW: Familiarize the student with the textbook. Once
they are familiar with the text it will enable them to be
better prepared for more efficient learning.
PURPOSE: Familiarize the students with the textbook for
more efficient learning.
OBJECTIVE(s):
1. Identify the reading and learning aids in the
textbook.
2. Provide practical experience in using the aids for
more effective learning.
RESOURCES/MATERIALS:
Teacher materials: Overhead projector, Worksheets
Student Materials: Textbook, pen, and/or pencil
ACTIVITIES AND PROCEDURES:
1. The students will review the standard features as well
as the features unique to THE AMERICAN NATION
textbook.
2. Discussion question (Place on the overhead and save the
answers.)
ASK: What are the standard features found in MOST
textbooks?
A) Table of Contents
B) Captions
C) Glossary
D) Index
E) Headings
F) Chapter Review or Summary
3. Distribute Activity Sheet "Getting to Know My
Textbook". This will be an in class assignment.
4. Closure Discussion Question: This is to be done after
the worksheet has been completed. (Put the list of
standard features on the overhead.)
ASK: What features did you find that are unique to
this textbook?
A) Gazetteer
B) Presidents
C) Time Lines
D) Chronology
E) Constitution of the United States
F) Historical Atlas
5. Exchange the worksheets the students have completed
and grade.
TYING IT TOGETHER: Answer questions regarding the
worksheets. The Wrap Up sheet is attached.
**********************
AMERICAN HISTORY NAME:__________________________
8TH GRADE DATE:________________ HR: _____
GETTING TO KNOW MY TEXTBOOK
(WRAP UP)
DIRECTIONS: You are going to take a trip through your book.
SOOOO Read each statement CAREFULLY and follow the
directions . REMEMBER each question will be different SOOOO
pay attention. Have fun and Good luck!!!
1. Look in the TABLE OF CONTENT and select your LEAST
favorite unit. (Put the unit number and name
down.)______________________________________________
2. Look in the TABLE OF CONTENT and select a CHAPTER that
you want to know more about.(put Chapter number and
name)___________________________________________
3. Go to the GAZETTEER in the back of the book. and locate
the letter (L). Write down the FIRST word under (L)
and define it.___________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
4. Next travel to the INDEX and look up the letter (X).
What is the LAST word under (X).____________________
5. The next stop in our book travel is the GLOSSARY. Look
under the letter (B) count down FIVE words Write down
the FIFTH word and define it. __________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
6. What year were you born? _____Next you need to find the
section on PRESIDENTS. Who was President the year you
were born? ______________________________
7. The last stop is the CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES.
Look under the Bill of Rights. Select the one that is
most important to YOU and write it
down._____________________________
**********************
AMERICAN HISTORY NAME:___________________________
8TH GRADE DATE:________________ HR: ______
DUE DATE:_______________________
GETTING TO KNOW MY TEXTBOOK
1. Name of textbook (underline)
____________________________________________________
2. Give the book identification number?________________
3. Where is this number located on your Book? (2)
_____________________________.
HOW THE BOOK IS ORGANIZED
4. In a box at the top of page xviii, the authors state
that history begins with a good____________________.
5. The book is organized into ____________ units
and_____________ chapters.
6. How many parts does the Reference Section
have?____________________________
HOW EACH UNIT IS ORGANIZED
7. The Unit Opener on page 146 includes a unit outline
that lists: _______________________________________
____________________________________________________
8. Look at Unit 4 Outline and give the title of Chapter 11
and the time period of the chapter.______________
____________________________________________________
9. Why is the time period provided with the Chapter title?
_____________________________________________
10. The unit time line presents major __________________
11. Look on page 146 and give 1 United States event and
1 World event that YOU think would be important.
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
12. What other information does each unit time line
give? ______________________________________________
____________________________________________________
13. The Unit Review on page 10 has a ___________________
of each chapter and a short essay on connections
between ______________________________________ and a
_________________________ _________________handbook.
HOW EACH CHAPTER IS ORGANIZED
14. What is included in the Chapter Opener on page 32?
___________________________________________________
15. Look at the opener for Chapter 13 on page 290.
According to the chapter outline, what is the title
of Section 3?_______________________________________
16. How can the Read to Learn questions at the beginning
of each chapter section help you? _________________
____________________________________________________
17. Look at Chapter 7 Section 1. Write down the first
Read To Learn Question. ____________________________
____________________________________________________
18. Look as Skill Lesson 13 on page 298. What skill
does it teach? _____________________________________
19. Look at the Spirit of America feature on page 294.
Who is the subject of the feature? _________________
____________________________________________________
20. How can the maps, graphs, charts, and pictures help
you? _______________________________________________
____________________________________________________
21. What kind of print is used for each new vocabulary
word and important events and ideas?_______________
___________________________________________________
22. Where in your textbook can you find out how to
pronounce new names and words? _____________________
____________________________________________________
23. The Chapter Review contains a summary of the
_______________, questions for chapter ____________,
Thinking About __________________and a _____________
activity.
REFERENCE SECTION
24. The Glossary contains ______________________________
____________________________________________________
25. Define the following words and give the page they are
located on.
Treaty of Paris - __________________________________
____________________________________________________
Century - __________________________________________
____________________________________________________
scalawag - _________________________________________
____________________________________________________
26. Which part of the Reference Section gives you
information on the Constitution? ___________________
____________________________________________________
27. What does Article 2 of the Constitution deal with?
____________________________________________________
28. In which part can you find a portrait and
information about every President?__________________
29. Who was the first, eighteenth, and thirty-third
Presidents?
1. ___________________________________
2. ___________________________________
3. ___________________________________.
30. What information is provided on each President?
1. ____________________________________
2._____________________________________
3. ____________________________________
4. ____________________________________
5. ____________________________________
31. Which part tells you where to find a subject in the
Book? _________________________________________
32. In the Gazetteer locate the following and copy down
the information found on each.
Chisholm Trail - ___________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
Tikal - ____________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
33. On page 780 is a Chronology. What does the
Chronology in this text provide?___________________
___________________________________________________
34. The Historical Atlas begins on page 754. What
different types of maps are found in this section?
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
35. What different type graphs are found in this
section? ___________________________________________
____________________________________________________
Click here to return to OFCN's Academy Curricular Exchange
Click here to return to OFCN's Academy
Click here to return to OFCN's Main Menu
John Kurilecjmk@ofcn.org