Instructional Unit – ISTC 601
World Cultures - Medieval Europe – Grade 7 Social Studies
Lesson 3

Instructional Context:
Students in grade 7 social studies world cultures class investigate various aspects of life in Medieval Europe to draw conclusions and understand historical context and the role of Europe in the evolution of our modern society.
Uses the Big 6 Research Model
Outcomes and Objectives:

BCPS curriculum content standards:
Examine European society during the Middle Ages in order to analyze how groups and institutions sustain and influence culture. (MLO's 1.4, 1.9, 2.14, 6.1)

Maryland Teacher Technology Standards:

III. Legal, Social and Ethical Issues
Demonstrate an understanding of the legal, social and ethical issues related to technology use.

V. Integrating Technology into the Curriculum and Instruction
Design, implement and assess learning experiences that incorporate use of technology in a curriculum-related instructional activity to support understanding, inquiry, problem solving, communication and/or collaboration.

National Educational Technology Standards for Students:

  1. Creativity and Innovation
  2. Communication and Collaboration
  1. Technology Operations and Concepts

AASL Standards for the 21st Century Learner:

2.1.4 Use technology and other information tools to analyze and organize information.
2.1.5 Collaborate with others to exchange ideas, develop new understandings, make decisions, and solve problems.
2.1.6 Use the writing process, media and visual literacy, and technology skills to create products that express new understandings.
3.1.2 Participate and collaborate as members of a social and intellectual network of learners.
3.1.4 Use technology and other information tools to organize and display knowledge and understanding in ways that others can view, use, and assess.

3.1.6 Use information and technology ethically and responsibly.

Materials:

  • Student’s research notes
  • Computers with headphones, microphone, internet access, Audacity, Windows Movie Maker, and flash player
  • Digital camera or webcam
  • Windows Movie Maker handout
  • Audacity handout
  • Prezi handout
  • Final project rubric

Procedure:

Day 1

  • Students will be introduced to and shown examples of the three tools they can use to create their project, Prezi, Windows Movie Maker, and Audacity, along with the types of projects they can create.
  • Students will be taught how to use Windows Movie Maker, and follow along on their computers using the images in the Images folder. The teacher and media specialist should make sure students are following along and answer any questions.
  • If time permits the teacher and/or media specialist should show the students how to use Prezi and Audacity, if not they should be covered in the next class.
  • As an exit ticket, each group will submit to the teacher which tool they think they would use in creating their project and what kind of project they would make with the tool.

Day 2

  • Students will be taught how to use Prezi and Audacity if not covered in the last lesson.
  • Students will begin work on the project beginning with creating an outline to organize the information they have gathered.
  • Students should submit for approval, what they will be doing for their project by the end of the class period.
  • The teacher and media specialist should help students throughout the period with outlining and approve any projects the students are ready to submit.

Day 3

  • Students will continue work on the project, this will be the last day consecutive day in the media center.
  • The teacher and media specialist should help students throughout the period with outlining and approve any projects the students may need to resubmit.
  • At least one more day should be scheduled for work in the media center before students are to submit the project
  • The project should be due no earlier than two weeks from when it was assigned.