Course: Social Studies
Grade Level: 6-12th grade
Unit: Current Events
Time Required: 5 class periods x 1 hour = 5 hours total
The Big Idea:
Current world events impact everyone. Countries currently at war/conflict have a direct impact on the United States. History plays an important role in understanding current conflicts.
Essential Questions:
Who is at war?
What groups are involved in the war?
Why is the country at war?
How has the war affected the United States?
How has history affected the war?
What are possible solutions for the war?
Standards:
Communication Arts
1. Speaking and writing standard English
2. Reading and evaluating nonfiction material
3. Writing formally
4. Participating in formal and informal presentations and discussions of issues and ideas
Social Studies
1. Economic Concepts
2. Major elements of geographical study and analysis and their relationships to changes in society and environment
3. Relationships of the individual and groups to institutions and cultural traditions
4. The use of tools of social science inquiry
Evidence of Student Understanding (Assessment):
Student understanding will be based upon the completion of a news broadcast to share on youtube.com, schooltube.com, and Kozlen.com.
Lesson Preparation:
Prior to this lesson, the students have developed a clear understand of digital camera skills, uploading videos and video editing. All students have become proficient in performing regular research projects navigating the Internet.
Materials Required:
Computers, Microsoft Word, Flip Video, Video Editing Software, Tripod
Specific Purpose:
As a result of this lesson, students will understand that war and global conflicts impact everyone. The students will also be aware of genocide. Collectively, the class culminating activity will inform others of the war/conflict, its impact on the United States, and possible solutions.
Lesson Sequence:
Anticipatory Set (30 Minutes):
-Show students the following videos
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=934Eh5EiU5c
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_T5bMehkUXQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hy3nmHH6Lho
Askstudents: Did you know this was happening? Why is this happening? How do you think this is impacting (us) the United States?
Step by Step Activities (4 Hours):
-The Students will research countries at war/conflict.
-The Students will choose a country at war/conflict.
-After teacher approval, the students will use the Internet to research reasons why the country is at war/conflict, how it is impacting the United States, and possible solutions.
-Using the flip video camera, students will interview 3 adults asking them the following questions:
o Why do you think the country is at war/conflict?
o How do you think this war/conflict has impacted the United States?
o What are possible solutions for peace in the country?
-The students will write a script informing others of the war in their country, why the war/conflict is happening, when it began, how it has impacted the United States, and possible solutions.
-Using the flip video camera, the students will video tape a news broadcast informing others of their country.
-The students will upload their videos to the Internet: youtube.com, schooltube.com, and Kozlen.com.
Closure:
The class will share their video and compare countries. The students will reflect on the direct impact these events have on the United States, compare causes, and if their peace solutions are possible.
*Rubric available upon request (Difficulty with html tables and pasting them)
