Title: The Building Blocks of the Nation
Submitted by:
Subject Area: Social Studies
Intended Grade Levels: 4th - 8th
Description: This lesson teaches research, documentation, use of the internet, and varied computer skills, along with oral communication skills while introducing students to people who have "made history" in Michigan, women in the United States, people who contributed to our history from certain time periods. This is also a lesson in an alternative report form called the "cube project".
Narrative:
Technology adds to this assignment for a number of reasons. First, students can be instructed on how to use an on-line encyclopedia if your school has access. Or students can use specific internet sites such as http:// www.biography.com and http:// nwhp.org/links.html , or http://women.eb.com/women/crossroads05.html , or
encarta.com.
Students will also use word processing skills such as setting margins and tabs, copy and paste information from the internet reading to a word document.
Curriculum Benchmarks:
MI.SOC.I.2.MS.2 Identify and explain how individuals in history demonstrated good character and personal virtue.
MI.SOC.I.2.MS.4 Use historical biographies to explain how events from the past affected the lives of individuals and how some individuals influenced the course of history.
MI.SOC.V.2.MS.2 Gather and analyze information using appropriate information technologies to answer the question posed.
Total amount of time for lesson:
This lesson can be completed by spending one hour a day for 5 to 8 days.
Materials/Hardware/Software:
1. An outline for construction of a cube 6 inches by 6 inches by 6 inches is necessary to use as a pattern for students.
2. Computer with access to the internet and a word processing program. (either MAC or WIN )
3. On-line license for an encyclopedia or CD ROM Encyclopedia. Encarta, Groliers.
Teacher Preparation:
First teachers must decide on the focus of the assignment. They can chose from people from Michigan History, Women in History, People from the 1870’s to the Present that helped to build America, African Americans, or World Figures. Teachers must make a list for students from which to choose their person. Teachers need to make a pattern of a cube from which students can trace and create their cube out of heavy weight paper. It should only take at most an hour to prepare the list and makethe cube pattern. Teachers need to be able to use the internet and word processing skills in Word or Claris Works.
Prerequisite Student Skills:
1) Students need to know how to access the web.
2) Students need to know basic word processing skills.
3) Students need to be able to read and comprehend on a 4th grade or higher reading ability to comprehend Social Studies content.
4) Students may need to be taught how to set margins, so material written will fit on the side of a cube.
Student Activities/Procedures: The following activity sheet explains all the procedures necessary for this lesson. This entire lesson can take 5-8 days of research and 2-3 days to assemble.
Name_______________________
To complete this project you will need six sides to form a cube. Do not loose the pattern attached. Heavy weight paper or cardboard make good cubes.
The following is a list of what will be put on each side of the cube. Remember to be neat, colorful and creative.
Side 1 - Draw or trace a picture of your person. Make sure you label the person’s name
on this side as well.
Side 2 - Draw or trace a picture of the accomplishment of your person.
Side 3 - using a biographical library book about your person, include 8-10, basic facts
about your person’s life. Include such information as birthplace and date,
schooling, what their childhood was like and any facts that contributed to their
accomplishment .Include source used: Title and Author.
Side 4 - Using one of the internet sites provided locate biographical information about
your famous person. In your own words summarize what the article states about
your person. Make sure you include the URL address used. Sites that can be
used are: http:// www.biography.com and http:// nwhp.org/links.html , or
http://women.eb.com/women/crossroads05.html , or
http://www.encarta.com.
Side 5 - Read and summarize from a textbook source, what it says about your famous
person and include the pages you found the information. If your textbook does
not include your person use an encyclopedia (not an on-line encyclopedia). Make
sure you include the textbook title and author or encyclopedia used.
Side 6 - If you were writing a history textbook would you include or omit your person?
Be specific as to why and back up your answers with examples.
Examples of Famous People and categories that could be used:
Famous Michigan Persons US Women 1870-1990 US Nation Builders
Ralph Bunche Ida Tarbell Kit Carson
Malcolm X Amelia Earhart Daniel Boone
Ty Cobb Margaret Sanger Robert Fulton
Charles W. Post Carrie Nation Francis Scott Key
Thomas Edison Susan B. Anthony Dewitt Clinton
Coleman Young Jane Addams Cyrus McCormick
Henry Ford Eleanor Roosevelt John Deere
Dr. W. K. Kellogg Shirley Chisholm Zebulon Pike
Charles Lindbergh Sally Ride Oliver H. Perry
Joe Louis Juliet Gordon Low Henry Clay
Diana Ross Hillary Clinton FrederickDouglass
Sojourner Truth Harriet Tubman Stephen Douglass
Gerald Ford Ida B. Wells Stephen Austin
Assessment/Evaluation: Each side is evaluated for content, neatness, following directions. Correct use of technology, documenting sources and overall appearance are also awarded points.
Name___________________________ 50 Points Total
Side 1- Drawing or tracing of person; in color and name visible. 5 pts. _______
Side 2- Drawing or tracing of accomplishment; color and labeled. 5 pts. ________
Side 3- Well written paragraph, including 8-10 basic facts about
the famous person. Bibliographic Information cited. 6 pts. ________
Side 4- Well written summary about the information received
from your internet site. Include URL. 6 pts. _______
Side 5- Well written summary of the textbook material. Include
Title of textbook and or encyclopedia. 6 pts. ________
Side 6- Well written paragraph backed up by examples and
specifics as to why or why not your person should be in a
history textbook. 6 pts. _______
Overall neatness and well construction of cube. 4 pts. _______
Correct use of word processing skills and internet research. 7 pts. ________
Oral Presentation to class. Present all six sides. 5 pts. ________
TOTAL POINTS ___________
Comments:
Follow-up Activities: Assign a Biopoem. This was assigned as an optional activity for extra points. Students made their Biopoem into a poster.
This activity was taken from a duplicating book by Research for Better Teaching, Inc., 56 Bellows Hill Road, Carlisle, MA 01741. Phone (508) 369-2294
Line 1 First name
Line 2 Traits which describe the character List 4
Line 3 Relative (brother, sister, wife, husband, etc.) of
Line 4 Lover of... 3 things or people
Line 5 Who feels 3 items
Line 6 Who needs 3 items
Line 7 Who fears 3 items
Line 8 Who gives 3 items
Line 9 Who would like to see... 3 items
Line 10 Resident of
Line 11 Last name
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