Lesson Plans

Standards-Based Outcomes (MDE):

Social Studies:

II. Geographic Perspective

Content Standard II, 1: All students will describe, compare, and explain the locations and characteristics of places, cultures, and settlements.

1. Describe how major world issues and events affect various people, societies, places, and cultures in different ways.

Content Standard II, 2: All students will describe, compare, and explain the locations and characteristics of ecosystems, resources, human adaptation, environmental impact, and the interrelationships among them.

1. Describe the environmental consequences of major world processes and events.

Content Standard II, 5: All students will describe and explain the causes, consequences, and geographic context of major global issues and events.

2. Explain the causes and importance of global issues involving cultural stability and change, economic development and international trade, resource use, environmental impact, conflict and cooperation, and explain how they may affect the future.

Prior Knowledge:

Students must have a general familiarity with news accounts of the conflict in Kosovo.
Students should have a general framework of European geography.
Students need to know software research techniques and Internet/e-mail use. This will be presented in the unit.

Cue Set:

The instructor asks whether any students currently have relatives serving in the U.S. military, and specifically, any serving in Kosovo.
The instructor presents selected video clips of U.S. involvement in the region. (One method is to use Avid Cinema software.) He/she then follows up with a discussion question.

Best Shot Instruction:

Students will have previously completed an extensive series of teacher-designed map-reading lessons.
The teacher demonstrates the effective use and navigation of reference software. Students then independently research the conflict in Kosovo as well as general information about the area. They focus on the human, cultural, and environmental consequences, as well as any adaptations made by people in the area.
The teacher monitors student progress, as well as assists and motivates the research process.
Students read the information gathered in their research. (They may seek teacher or peer assistance if necessary for better understanding.)
The class reconvenes, and students compare information and respond to teacher-generated questions, both orally and in writing.
The teacher models letter writing and Internet use. The students compose and send business or personal letters or e-mail communications to people or organizations in Kosovo.
The students share their responses in a group setting at a later date.

Reteaching and Enrichment:

The students review and practice the writing process, if necessary.
The students review and study the essential content of the information further, if necessary.
The students, for enrichment, continue the study of this “hot spot” through homework assignments, outside activities, and personal research and investigation.

Review and Closure:

The teacher and students review the key data and concepts from this unit.
The class discusses the research methods and students present any unusually difficult tasks in the research process (e.g. using research software, web research, etc.).
Students corporately share the responses to their written communications.

Assessment:

Students accumulate material which leads them from simply gaining basic information about Kosovo, to having a broader base of understanding about the past and current history of the region.
Assessment includes map reading, student written and oral presentation of findings, and response to teacher-generated items.
Students must also compose and send at least one communication, letter or e-mail, to a person or organization in Kosovo.

East Detroit Public Schools Lesson Design

East Detroit Public Schools
Lesson Design