US History · Week 36 · The Cold War and Contemporary America
Gratitude and the Next Chapter
Students reflect on how Americans across generations widened democracy and write a note of gratitude to someone who helped them grow this year.
- Students will
- Students trace how Americans across generations widened democracy since 1787, and write a note of gratitude explaining how someone helped them grow.
- SEL skill
- Write and share a specific thank you that names how someone helped you grow
- What it looks like
- Students reflect on gratitude and communicate thanks clearly to someone who helped them grow this year.
- Content focus
- Gratitude and the Next Chapter
- Format
- Partner exchange
Relationship skills
Relationship skills mean building and keeping healthy relationships by communicating clearly, listening well, cooperating, and working through conflict. More relationship skills activities
What you get
A teacher guide with what to say, step by step, plus student pages and a supports page for students with diverse learning needs, including those with IEPs. Print or Project it, or assign it in Google Forms and Google Docs for Google Classroom. Your first 10 activities are free.
Standards
- 11.1.3: CA History Social Science Content Standard, Grade 11: United States History and Geography: Continuity and Change in the Twentieth Century (standard 11.1, item 3)
- CA HSS Analysis Skill: HI2 Recognize the complexity of historical causes and effects, including the limits on determining cause and effect. (Historical Interpretation)
- C3 Framework (national): D4.7.9-12 Assess options for individual and collective action to address local, regional, and global problems through self-reflection and strategic thinking.
- Literacy in history: WHST.11-12.2 Write informative and explanatory texts, including the narration of historical events.
Fits these textbook chapters
- American History: Reconstruction to the Present, Module 19: The United States in the 21st Century
- History Alive! Pursuing American Ideals, Chapter 37: The Aftermath of World War II
- History Alive! Pursuing American Ideals, Chapter 56: Ending the Cold War
- History Alive! Pursuing American Ideals, Chapter 57: U.S. Domestic Politics at the Turn of the 21st Century
Textbook names are used only to help you find activities that fit what you teach. RoseThread Connect is not affiliated with these publishers.
More relationship skills activities for US History
- Debating the Constitution Relationship skillsStudents compare Federalist and Antifederalist arguments over ratification and practice deliberating respectfully with someone who sees an issue differently.
- Rebuilding After the Civil War Relationship skillsStudents learn how freedpeople rebuilt families, founded schools and churches, and voted during Reconstruction and consider what real repair after deep harm requires.
- Progressives Take Action Relationship skillsStudents learn how Progressives, including Hiram Johnson in California, won reforms such as the initiative, referendum, and recall and plan how a group can improve their school.
- Japanese American Incarceration Relationship skillsStudents examine the forced removal of Japanese Americans, Korematsu v. United States, and the 1988 apology and redress, and consider what a sincere apology requires.
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RoseThread Connect activities are drafted with the help of AI and shaped by educators. Students never have to share anything personal. Our five SEL skills are informed by CASEL's SEL Framework; RoseThread Learning is not affiliated with or endorsed by CASEL.