Authentic Instruction using Technology
Joe Bianchi
Joe Bianchi
EDUC 5224
Assignment #8 – Final Lesson
May 3, 2011
Subject: American History
Topic: Causes of WWII
Grade Level: 7-8 Social Studies
Duration: 2 full class weeks.
Class Background: Class consists of 25 Students. This class is very dynamic, and for the most part, a majority demonstrates tremendous energy and the ability to problem solve. Homework is done sporadically. Class also consist of 2 students who are visually impaired and 1 with hearing impairment.
Overview: WWII was the most destructive war on the face of the earth. Millions of lives were lost, not to mention an entire generation. The estimate of destruction was enormous and caused extreme poverty throughout the world. Even the countries that did not participate felt the heat because they relied so heavily on the major countries for financial support and economic resources.
Objective: Purpose of this lesson is to teach students the causes of WWII.
- Students will gain knowledge on what were the actual causes of WWII.
- Students will learn who the major powers were in the war.
- Students will be able to distinguish the leaders of the countries involved.
- Students will be able to understand the brutality of war.
NET-S Standards:
- Apply strategies for identifying and solving routine hardware and software problems that occur during everyday use.
- Demonstrate knowledge of current changes in information technologies and the effect those changes have on the workplace and society.
- Exhibit legal and ethical behaviors when using information and technology, and discuss consequences of misuse.
- Use content-specific tools, software, and simulations (e.g., environmental probes, graphing calculators, exploratory environments, Web tools) to support learning and research.
- Apply productivity/multimedia tools and peripherals to support personal productivity, group collaboration, and learning throughout the curriculum.
- Design, develop, publish, and present products (e.g., Web pages, videotapes) using technology resources that demonstrate and communicate curriculum concepts to audiences inside and outside the classroom.
- Collaborate with peers, experts, and others using telecommunications and collaborative tools to investigate curriculum-related problems, issues, and information, and to develop solutions or products for audiences inside and outside the classroom.
- Select and use appropriate tools and technology resources to accomplish a variety of tasks and solve problems. (
- Demonstrate an understanding of concepts underlying hardware, software, and connectivity and of practical applications to learning and problem solving.
- Research and evaluate the accuracy, relevance, appropriateness, comprehensiveness, and bias of electronic information sources concerning real-world problems.
The National Council for Social Studies has identified the following strands of study for all students in grades K–8:
- Culture
- Time, Continuity, and Change
- People, Places, and Environments
- Individual Development and Identity
- Individuals, Groups, and Institutions
- Power, Authority, and Governance
- Production, Distribution, and Consumption
- Science, Technology, and Society
- Global Connections
- Civic Ideals and Practices
United States - Economics
- Geography
Anticipatory Set:
As the students enter the classroom, they will be able to notice pictures displayed all over the wall. Old newspaper articles, military pictures including battleships, guns, and armed forces, pictures of certain leaders, and civilians during the war, etc…The students will watch a short clip on WWII from Youtube.com. http://www.youtube.com/user/universalclass. I will engage them in a brief discussion on what they just scene, and if they can think of any questions.
Methods:
Power point Presentation. I will present my lesson through a Power Point. The lesson will consist of an introduction, objective, point by point activities with duration, and conclusion.
Activities:
- Brainstorming: In this session I will ask students to examine the different causes and events of WWII. I will ask them to come up and write their answer on the Smart Board.
- Develop Concept Map using Inspiration.com: Ideas are organized on the board under headings. The diagram represents the information elicited from the students but created in such a way that qualities and relationships are evident. This information is taken directly from the previous sessions (brainstorming, visual aids around the room, discussion, and You Tube clip). Using Inspiration.com create a concept map to organize major events, concepts or terms.
- Web-Base research: Students will be asked to research one major country involved in WWII. They will be able to identify the leader, the major causes for involvement, which side they were on, how strong was their military, why did they decide to enter into the war etc.
- Create Personal Space: Students are to create their own personal space using any of the appropriate internet sites, such as Blogger. They are to present their findings on their individual site. They are to be creative and download pictures and video to support their findings.
- Analyze Political Cartoons using the Internet:
Most topics in social studies can be discussed using political cartoons. The use of political humor or satire to explain perspectives on history or current events can leave a lasting impression on students. There are Web sites where copies of international newspapers are online. Students can use these to critique and analyze current political cartoons from foreign countries.
- Draw their own Political Cartoon and post them on their personal space: Students are encouraged throughout this lesson to draw their own cartoon using any internet source for help (for example ARTSEDGE.com) and post their cartoon on their own personal space.
- Develop a timeline on the Smart Board: For students to understand the present, they must learn what has happened in the past. Time lines are an effective method for teaching cause and effect in history. Several different techniques can be used:
- A simple list of dates and events
- Lines that are drawn with marks to indicate different periods of time
- Illustrated time lines to depict different events in history
- Set up a Twitter account: Understanding that 94 percent of middle school students have mobile devices, will support this activity. Students may set up a twitter account and the only thing they can tweet are famous quotes from the leader of their country they choose.
- Collaboration using WIKI. For a collaborating piece have your students create a Wiki account and develop a list the Causes of WWII. Each cause should be precise and accurate. The class could work together on this to create a uniformed list derived from everyone’s country.
- Reflection: Have your students reflect on each others findings and discovery by commenting on each others Blog. Ask your students to post a comment to your peers evidence, in relation to their countries involvement in WWII.
Authentic Assessment: Authentic Assessment encourages purposeful learning experiences, stimulates thinking, allows for application of learning skills in new situations, encourages review and revision of work, application of evaluative skills and communication of results.
The authentic assessment I chose for each student to present their findings is presented through their PowerPoint presentation. This is directed towards the theme, event, or specific reaction of what caused their country to enter in WWII.
- Presentation using Power Point: Each student will give a brief presentation on a major theme their country demonstrated during the WWII era. Such themes include: Imperialism, Competition, Greed/Power, Capitalism, Militarism, etc… Each theme should be explained in detail, who was involved, why they feel this was an important cause of the war, how it got your country in trouble, and the outcome.
Reflection:
- Did I organize the lesson enough to meet all criteria and all needs of my students?
- Did I teach my students new concepts and vocabulary?
- Did my students take part of collaborative learning?
- Did I properly and effectively assess my student’s prior knowledge?
- Was the lesson plan timely managed and strictly followed?
- Was enough technology based learning followed to some degree?
- Overall did my students gain knowledge and understanding of the content or text being covered?
Technology used:
1. Video from Youtube.com
2. PowerPoint Presentation (teacher)
3. Smart Board
4. Inspiration.com
5. Web - based research
6. Wiki.com
7. PowerPoint Presentation (student)
8. Twitter
