Lesson+Seven

__Grade Level:__ // 10 //

__Unit:__ // World War II //

__ Lesson Objectives: __ // Students will better understand the events of WWII. Students will better understand what impact American involvement had on the war. Students will learn to develop critical thinking skills and how to use that in their research. Students will develop their writing skills as they turn in their first essay for the year. //

__ Time Required to complete this lesson: __ // I feel that 3 weeks is a sufficent amount of time for students of this level to write a 5 page paper. The paper will involve research that can be done online and at the library which is why I am giving them 3 weeks to complete their papers. //

__ Title of lesson: __ // How America helped win WWII. //

__ Description of lesson: __ // Students will begin the lesson by watching the introduction video for our unit WWII and then we will view the video for their next out of class assignment. Students will write a 4-5 page paper about an event in WWII in which America was directly involved in and write about how we impacted that event. They will also create an animoto of their event to show the class what topic they chose to research. //

__ Assignment: __

// Hello Students! Today we are going to start our unit on WWII. We just got done studying how the after effects of WWI led up to WWII, but before we start the lecture today I want to show you a short 2 min. video I created about WWII so that you can see some of the things we will be learning about in this unit. //

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// Now as all of you know from reading our class syllabus there are two major papers due in this class. We are about to start your first paper today. Watch the video below to get an idea of what I will be expecting in your work. //

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// As you just saw I want you to answer the following question: How did America help win WWII? //

// Your papers should be 4-5 pages in length, double spaced, and include your name in the upper right hand corner. I would like you to use a minimum of 4 resources, primary or secondary, and not all may come from the internet. The library is your friend….use it! Remember to use your English skills! (P.E.A. point à evidence- à analysis) I will be looking not only for excellent research skills but also for creative and well thought analysis of your event. A outline of your paper is due by Friday and I will hand them back Monday with any tips or suggestions I might have that can assist you in your assignment. Your paper itself is due in 3 weeks.

You will also be preparing a short 1-2 min. Animoto of your event to show the class after your paper is due. It will look just like the one's we have seen today. Animoto's are created in 3 easy steps: // // 1) find the pictures you want to represent your subjest (I recommend at least 15-20) and add in relevant text. 2) Select your music from Animoto's music library 3)Finalize your video by adding in a title and selecting your cover shot. // //We will be going to the computer lab for 2 days right before your papers are due so don’t worry I will help walk you through the process of creating your video. // // Have fun and don't be afraid to ask for help if you need it! //

__ Resources/materials needed: __ // The only thing needed to show the videos is a projector hooked up to your computer or laptop. You will also need access to a computer lab to create the animotos, or if your students all have computers at home they can create their Animotos themselves. //

__ Technology used: __ // Both the videos were created using the // [|Animoto] // website. //

__ The technology used in this lesson changes the teaching / learning in this way: __ //By introducing the topic of WWII in a video students will have a much better idea of what I am saying we are going to study. I could stand up in front of the class and list off the things we are going to learn, but a video will show images, sounds, things that will create a more lasting memory than anything I might say. Animotos are a great way for students to summarize a paper becasue they will have to think about how their research and ideas can be put into sounds and pictures. Other students watching these videos will get a fresh perspective of an event from a fellow student. They might hear something that I would not have thought of or interpreted in that way and will lead to great classroom discussions. I think WWII as a unit can be better explored with the use of digital media. It's the first war that is really well documented and there is a treasure trove of information waiting for students to explore. I believe by presenting the lesson in this way it will get the kids thinking about things in a new way.//