Evaluating+Explorers+Lesson+Plan

Andrea Lemmer

Lesson Title: Evaluating Explorers

Grade Level: 7th Grade

Subject: Social Studies (World History)

Ohio Academic Content Standards:
 * History: Describe the causes and effects of European exploration after 1400.
 * Geography (Diffusion): Give examples of contacts among different cultures that led to the changes in belief systems, art, science, technology, language or systems of government.
 * Social Studies Skills and Methods (Problem Solving): Establish guidelines, rules and time lines for group work.

ISTE NETS-S
 * 1) Creativity and innovation
 * 2) Communication and collaboration
 * 3) Research and information fluency
 * 4) Critical thinking, problem solving, and decision making
 * 5) Digital citizenship
 * 6) Technology operations and concepts

Overview: In this lesson, students will research a group of four famous explorers from the 1400’s to 1600’s time period. After researching each of their four explorers, they will decide which one is the most deserving of being included in a pack of “explorer trading cards,” to be produced by the Best Cards™ company.

During Class


 * **//Time//** || **//Instructional Activities//** || **//Materials and Resources//** ||
 * 3 minutes || Discuss what is already known about explorers and review prior knowledge. || paper & pencil ||
 * 5 minutes || First, individually brainstorm what constitutes success as an explorer. Then, after 2-3 minutes, share list with a partner at table. Finally, share with entire table. || paper & pencil ||
 * 5 minutes || Each table will share at least two things that they believe make an explorer successful. || SmartBoard to compile class list ||
 * 10 minutes || Introduce project, explain research, assign groups, and give each group a list of three explorers. || project handouts ||
 * 30 minutes || Students will research their four assigned explorers and completing the accompanying chart, which includes the following categories: origin, purpose, route, hardships/challenges, and impact of exploration. If they do not finished in the allotted class time, this will be completed for homework our during our intervention period. || explorers chart; computers with internet access ||
 * 5-10 minutes || Each pair of students will evaluate their explorers charts and discuss the strengths and weaknesses of each explorer they were assigned to research. Then, based on their research, they will choose the explorer they believe would be most worthy of having a trading card developed to honor them. ||  ||
 * 50-60 minutes || Students will work with their partners to create a presentation (using PowerPoint or Prezi, for example), directed at the president of Best Cards™ company. In the presentation, they will aim to persuade the company president to choose their explorer for a trading card. Upon completion, each pair will present to the class. || computer with internet access; presentation software such as PowerPoint or Prezi ||

Ongoing assessment(s): Students will be informally monitored throughout the course of the lesson. Progress will be monitored as students complete their explorers charts to ensure they understand each category they are researching about each of their four explorers.

Accommodations: Students will be paired with other students of a similar ability level. If necessary, students with special needs may have the number of explorers to be researched limited to two or three, rather than four, so as to not overwhelm them. They will also have the additional support of our classroom aide. In addition, gifted students will be paired with students of a similar ability level. Because they often get through work more quickly, they will have the opportunity to further customize and be creative with their presentations.

Back-up Plan: Information on each of the explorers is contained in our textbook, so if the internet is unavailable, students can use their books instead. In addition, students with limited access to technology can create a poster to present their information.

Evaluation: The final product will be assessed using a rubric. Students will be evaluated on the accuracy and thoroughness of their information, the creativity and cohesiveness of their multimedia presentation, and their presentation to the class.