Chalk Talk

I used this routine with an 8th grade group as a formative assessment before reading a book about a Native American named Chief Joseph.  I wasn't sure how much background knowledge they had on Native American Indians and the struggles they faced once pioneers began their trek across the U.S.  I was very surprised by their thinking!

• "The government treated them bad and were racist and the Americans were greedy and wanted territory."
• "Because of Native American's skin color."
• "Because their skin color was different, maybe talked different, and they acted different."
• "The US was not fair to the Native Americans because they were moved and not treated like others."
• "I think they felt discriminated against because they had to be separated from whites."

After a very focused discussion (which pleasantly surprised me with this group!), I used the See Think Wonder strategy to preview the book.  So much of our discussion from this activity was applied to their See Think Wonder charts!  When I use this book next year, I'd like to chart how our thinking changed after our chalk talk discussion!