Having a little time at the end of class is something my students look forward to because they have an opportunity to do fun five minute social studies activities.

If you find yourself with a few extra minutes of class, you definitely don’t want students to have a free-for-all! That’s a classroom management nightmare. 🤪

Use those precious extra minutes for purposeful, engaging review!

Idea #1: Mix ‘n Match Vocabulary

No copies needed… Just use the whiteboard!

Write three vocabulary words or words important to the lesson on the whiteboard.

Then, write three words/short phrases that relate to the vocabulary/important words. Make a jumble, don’t line up the words.

Ask students to use a scrap piece of paper or a sticky note to connect the words/phrases that go together.

If you think they can finish in time, have students explain one of the vocabulary word/phrase relationships.

Idea #2: Make Primary Source Connections!

After using a primary source text or image with your students, ask them to make a couple of connections.

Allow students to pair up and discuss the primary source used in class.

On a sticky note, each pair of students will write one connection they can make between the primary source and their real lives.

Example: We noticed in the photograph that the soldiers’ tents were in a straight line. The tents reminded us of a row of homes in a neighborhood.

Ask students to place their sticky notes on the door upon leaving the classroom.

Idea #3: One Comment/One Question

At the end of class, it’s always helpful to have a quick lesson closer.

Using two scrap sheets of paper OR two sticky notes, ask students to write a comment (or observation) about the lesson, along with one question that they still have.

When I use the one comment/one question lesson closer with sticky notes, I have students place their comment notes on the outside of the door and their question sticky notes on the inside of the door.

Looking over their responses is super helpful for me because I can immediately see what I need to clarify or review the next day.

Idea #4: Sketch Your Learning

Ask students to turn a used worksheet to the back OR use a scrap sheet of paper to make sketch space.

Students should create one sketch to represent what they learned that day.

If I think they have time, I’ll have students add details and/or labels to their sketches. The more, the better!

Idea #5: Make a Top 5 List!

After introducing a new historical individual or event, your students probably have a lot of information floating around in their heads.

Ask them to narrow down the top five most important things they learned during the lesson and create a “Top 5 List.”

This will help your students to organize their thoughts and decide what’s most important!

If you want a ready-to-use, engaging set of 5 Minute Social Studies Activities, I’ve got you covered!

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