Aligning Unit to standards

2006-10-16T20:51:00.000-07:00

MarcoPolo Lesson Modification

The Cuban Missile Crisis

Grade Level:10 year

Calvert Bowen
EDSS 620: Fall 06
Instructor: Brian Collins.

Title of Unit: The Cuban Missile Crisis

Overview: In September of 1962, the US Detected the presence of Russian missiles on the island of Cuba, only 90 miles off the coast of Florida. These missiles were detected by US spy planes flying over Cuba. President Kennedy saw this as a direct threat to the US and created a naval blockade around Cuba.

Grade Level: This unit on the Cuban Missile Crisis will be taught to 10th year students

Time frame: The approximate time needed for instruction relating to this unit on The Cuban Missile Crisis will be Three 55 minute lessons
Resources Needed: Various Transparencies, Colored markers, whiteboard, Transparency pens, Overhead projector, VHS/DVD Player, Video projector,
Related Internet Sites:
1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cuban_Missile_Crisis
2. http://library.thinkquest.org/11046/
3. http://www.easehistory.org/castream.asp?id=1
4. http://www.yale.edu/lawweb/avalon/diplomacy/forrel/cuba/cubamenu.htm
5. http://www.nsa.gov/publications/publi00033.cfm
6. Cuban Missile Crisis
7. http://edsitement.neh.gov/view_lesson_plan.asp?id=683

Stage 1: Instructional Analysis:
1. Analyzing the Learners
The student body at my school consists of many English language learners. This population consists mainly of Spanish, Polish, and Asian /Pacific Islanders speaking various languages.
In order for the students to better understand the new terminology and information, the major terms are complied on a word wall, and many crossword puzzles are given that are customized with the related words in the documents from the missile crisis.
The classes for this unit are usually about 25 students and they range in age from 15to 16 plus. Students who are continuing from the 9th grade at this school would have had no prior knowledge of the Cuban Missile Crisis.

Motivation of the students is generally a major issue, and attendance is also an issue with a 77% average attendance at my school.
2. Analyzing the Learning Task

Aim: What was the Cuban Missile Crisis?

Learning Objectives:
At the end of this unit, the student should be able to:

· Explain why the presence of Soviet missiles in Cuba was a matter of concern to the United States
· Discuss each of the options available to the president in this situation, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of each
· Articulate why Kennedy chose to "quarantine" Cuba
· Explain how the crisis was resolved

Essential Questions:
At the end of this unit, the student should be able to answer the following questions:

Why was the presence of Soviet missiles in Cuba a problem for the United States?
What options did Kennedy and his advisers consider in response to the missiles?
What course did Kennedy choose, and why?
How was the crisis ultimately resolved?

New York State Learning Standards:
Social Studies:
Standard 2
Standard 3
English Language Arts:
Standard 1
Standard 2
Standard 4
Science:
Standard 1

Summary of Assessments: Evidence of Learning
Assessment in this unit will be in the form of Performance assessment, authentic assessment and a writing assignment addressing the question:
Why did the presence of Soviet missiles in Cuba trigger an international crisis, and how was that crisis resolved?

Performance Tasks, Projects
· Evaluate President Kennedy's handling of the Cuban Missile Crisis
Quizzes, Tests, Academic Prompts
Other Evidence Student Self Assessment
The students will be given a rubric and checklist as part of the assessment so that they are aware of the assessment criteria.

Check lists will be used by the students to keep track of their progress regarding assessment

References:
Retrieved on 10/10/06 from:
http://edsitement.neh.gov/view_lesson_plan.asp?id=683

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cuban_Missile_Crisis
http://library.thinkquest.org/11046/
http://www.easehistory.org/castream.asp?id=1
http://www.yale.edu/lawweb/avalon/diplomacy/forrel/cuba/cubamenu.htm
http://www.nsa.gov/publications/publi00033.cfm
Cuban Missile Crisis
http://edsitement.neh.gov/view_lesson_plan.asp?id=683

Multimedia in Social Studies

2006-09-26T21:51:00.000-07:00

During the summer while I was observing a class for my field experience, I was fortunate to visit a very enthusiastic Social Studies teacher who was adept at using technology in aiding his instruction.
This teacher incorporated the use of the internet with streaming video, and later presented clips from a DVD player. All of this was in addition to his traditional lecture to introduce the multimedia pieces.
At the end of that lesson, I too was enlightened about some Social Studies issues that I would use in my own teaching of Electrical Installation class that had Social Integration.
I am now using technology when teaching a unit on OSHA.
I am currently using a multimedia projector and notebook computer.

Technology for Social Studies

Aligning Unit to standards

Multimedia in Social Studies