Lesson Plan Requiring Student Use of Technology

 
Reflection:
Technology was an effective tool within this lesson.  This particular class was unique.  The curriculum of this class was integrated English/History.  The technology I used successfully illuminated the History of the novel Of Mice and Men, The Great Depression.   Students within this class enjoyed viewing my self-constrcuted WebQuest.  The information gained as a result of the WebQuest provided a more informed understanding of the characters, mind sets, environment, and life during this time.  Students worked constructively in groups to complete the task I had detailed.  The only problem with the activity was the number of groups.  However, this could not be avoided due to a class size of fifty students.

 
Topic:  Historical backdrop in Of Mice and Men.
Grade Level: Grade 10 (Integrated) 
Instructional Objectives:
  • Students will utilize prior knowledge of the Great Depression studied in History class. 
  • Students will navigate through the library and web to gain information outlined on the web interface.
  • Students will cooperate in groups to gather and prepare information for a written and oral assignment.
Materials:
  • Computer
  • Library
  • Paper to create a KWL graphic organizer (What you know, what to know, and learned). Refer to general information section for more information.. 
  • A web site will be printed out for you.
Concepts addressed: students will focus on the following topics of The Great Depression that relate directly to the novel: “The American Dream,” and the Dust Bowl.
Engagement/ Anticipatory set:
  • Students will be asked what changes occurred during the great depression.
  • The topics to be researched will be explained. 
  • Students will be separated into groups (chosen by me).
  • The groups will gather together to confer and complete the assignment. 
  • Students will be given the address to the web search. This is located in my web space at Lehigh.
  • Inform students that they will be graded as a group for this assignment. The members of the group will also evaluate each other.
Procedure:
  • Students will designate roles within the groups. The roles will include reporter (typist), researchers (2), reader (1), and organizers (1).  Group dynamics are located in the general information section of this lesson.
  • Student will begin to gather their thoughts and ideas by utilizing a KWL (What you know, what to know, and learned). Example is attached in the general information section of this lesson .
  • Before beginning the research, each group will discuss their topic and compile information for the KWL. See group dynamics in the general information section for more details. 
  • Students will outline in the next column what they hope to learn form their research.
  • Students will begin to write the answers to the questions. The information will be saved on a disk, held by me!
Key discussion questions:Located on the website! 
Closure:
  • Students will be asked to discuss what they have learned within their groups and complete the last column of the KWL chart..
  • I will circulate throughout the room to save any material they have written on the computer.
Extension activity/ Homework:
  • Research this topic on your own and continue this work tomorrow! 
________________________________________________________________________
General Information:
Group dynamics:
Reporter (1 student) à Records and writes down information found through research.
Takes notes from the researchers and complies them.Helps the researchers when 

not writing.

Organizer (1 student)à Makes sure all group members remain on task.Aids

the reporter in organizing the information to properly answer the questions.Helps 

and keeps researchers on task.

Reader (1 student)àThis person reads the information on the web site to the remaining 

members of the group.Helps the researchers and reads information to be placed 

on the KWL 

and final writing product.

Researchers (2 students)à Investigates the web and library for information surrounding 

their topic.The other members of the group will constantly assist these two 

individual.

Example of expected student generated KWL graphic organizer!

What you Know!
What you Want to know!
What you Learned!
 
 

 
The Of Mice and Men Activity center:

Migrant Workers

The Dust Bowl

American Dream
 
 

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