Lesson Plan
Teacher
Roberto Antonio Vega Sánchez.
Title
Living in harmony with your neighbors.
Time
45 minutes
Concept/Main Idea of Lesson
During this lesson the students will see how relevant it is to live in harmony with other people from different countries, especially the nearest ones. They also will find out that we can achieve democracy and diversity as long as we practice harmony in virtually all aspects of life.
Intended Grade Level
This lesson is designed to be used with ninth grade students, although the content of the lesson is understandable and can be applied with seventh and eighth grade students as well. This gives the chance for the teacher to emphasize the topic during some grades, so that the students can practice harmony for a long time.
Infusion/Subject Area(s)
Civics and Government
Social Science - General
Instructional Objectives
1- At the end of this lesson, the students will be able to recognize the importance of harmony, diversity, and democracy in the society.
2- At the end of this lesson, the students will be able to develop necessary tools to practice
harmony with their neighbors.
Learning Activities Sequence
a. Set Induction/Lesson Initiating Behavior:
The teacher will play a video or a CD of the song “We are the World”. The students will receive a piece of paper with the song lyrics (handout #1). The teacher will give flags (handout #2) from different countries to some students.
After watching the music video, the teacher will ask the students what they think the lesson
will be about. After they offer their opinions, the teacher will write the word harmony on
the board.
b. Learning Activities:
1- The teacher will ask the students to get in groups of five and discuss the meaning of the word harmony. They will be asked to write their own definitions about it.
2- After the students express their opinions about the word harmony, the teacher will show them the word harmony and other words such as democracy, diversity, respect, choice, freedom, peace, opportunity, opinion, action, compatibility and agreement. The teacher will explain to the students the relationship existing among these words.
3- The teacher will ask the students, “Which of these concepts are the most important to you? Why?”
4- The teacher will give a piece of paper (handout #3) containing the definition of the word harmony and the words democracy, diversity, respect, choice, freedom, peace, opportunity, opinion, action, compatibility and agreement.
5- The teacher will also explain to the students how they can practice these words in their society and with their neighbors from the nearest countries. Students will know the importance of doing one’s duties, respecting others’ points of view, obeying one’s parents, and so on.
6- The teacher will ask the students to find out how they can practice the words already specified and to write a short composition (minimum 5-sentence paragraph) about their points of view in relation to the application of harmony in the society, especially in their environments.
c. Closure:
The teacher will ask the students to read aloud their compositions to the class so that they can discuss them together as a group.
Evaluation
The teacher will hand out a sheet of paper (handout #4) containing some situations in which they will match the terms harmony and other words—democracy, diversity, respect, choice, freedom, peace, opportunity, opinion, action, compatibility or agreement—with the correct scenario.
Materials and Resources
1- A video about the song “We are the World” written and composed by Michael Jackson and
Lionel Richie (USA for Africa) 1985. (lyrics included at end of this lesson plan)
2- A handout about definitions of the words harmony, democracy, diversity, peace, choice opportunity freedom, respect, opinion, action, compatibility and agreement.
3- A brief exercise given to the students to conclude the lesson.
References
Barnett,C.(2003) Culture and Democracy. USA.The University of Alabama Press
Frankel, P. E., Miller Jr, F. & Paul, J. (2000). Democracy. New York, USA.Cambridge University Press.
Jackson M.,l Richie L. (1985) “We are the world” video. Accessed on July 15, 2009 from < http:
www.youtube.com >
Markus, M.L.C., Koelble, T.A & Wilsford, D.(2003). Democracy and institutions. The University of
Michigan Press.
Merriam Websters dictionary (2009). Accessed on July 15, 2009 from http://www.merriam-webster.com/.
O’Neil, M & Austin D.(2000). Democracy and cultural diversity. New York, USA.Oxford University
Press.
Handout #1
THE FLAG OF HAITI
THE FLAG OF USA
THE FLAG OF THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
Handout #2
Harmony
Top of Form
1archaic : tuneful sound : melody2 a: the combination of simultaneous musical notes in a chord b: the structure of music with respect to the composition and progression of chords c: the science of the structure, relation, and progression of chords3 a: pleasing or congruent arrangement of parts <a painting exhibiting harmony of color and line> b: correspondence, accord <lives in harmony with her neighbors> c: internal calm : tranquillity4 a: an interweaving of different accounts into a single narrative b: a systematic arrangement of parallel literary passages (as of the Gospels) for the purpose of showing agreement or harmony
Democracy
1 a: government by the people ; especially : rule of the majority b: a government in which the supreme power is vested in the people and exercised by them directly or indirectly through a system of representation usually involving periodically held free elections2: a political unit that has a democratic government3capitalized : the principles and policies of the Democratic party in the United States <from emancipation Republicanism to New Deal Democracy — C. M. Roberts>4: the common people especially when constituting the source of political authority5: the absence of hereditary or arbitrary class distinctions or privileges
Diversity
Top of Form
Function:
1: the condition of being diverse : variety ; especially : the inclusion of diverse people (as people of different races or cultures) in a group or organization <programs intended to promote diversity in schools>2: an instance of being diverse <a diversity of opinion>
Freedom
Top of Form
Bottom of Form
1: the quality or state of being free: as a: the absence of necessity, coercion, or constraint in choice or action b: liberation from slavery or restraint or from the power of another : independence c: the quality or state of being exempt or released usually from something onerous <freedom from care> d: ease, facility <spoke the language with freedom> e: the quality of being frank, open, or outspoken <answered with freedom> f: improper familiarity g: boldness of conception or execution h: unrestricted use <gave him the freedom of their home> 2 a: a political right b: franchise, privilege
synonyms freedom, liberty, license mean the power or condition of acting without compulsion. freedom has a broad range of application from total absence of restraint to merely a sense of not being unduly hampered or frustrated <freedom of the press>. liberty suggests release from former restraint or compulsion <the released prisoner had difficulty adjusting to his new liberty>. license implies freedom specially granted or conceded and may connote an abuse of freedom <freedom without responsibility may degenerate into license>.
Peace
Bottom of Form
1: a state of tranquility or quiet: as a: freedom from civil disturbance b: a state of security or order within a community provided for by law or custom <a breach of the peace> 2: freedom from disquieting or oppressive thoughts or emotions3: harmony in personal relations4 a: a state or period of mutual concord between governments b: a pact or agreement to end hostilities between those who have been at war or in a state of enmity5—used interjectionally to ask for silence or calm or as a greeting or farewell
— At peace: in a state of concord or tranquility
Agreement
Top of Form
1 a: the act or fact of agreeing b: harmony of opinion, action, or character : concord2 a: an arrangement as to a course of action b: compact, treaty3 a: a contract duly executed and legally binding b: the language or instrument embodying such a contract
Compatibility
Top of Form
Bottom of Form
1: capable of existing together in harmony <compatible theories> <compatible people>2: capable of cross-fertilizing freely or uniting vegetatively3: capable of forming a homogeneous mixture that neither separates nor is altered by chemical interaction4: capable of being used in transfusion or grafting without immunological reaction (as agglutination or tissue rejection)5: designed to work with another device or system without modification ; especially : being a computer designed to operate in the same manner and use the same software as another computer
Choice
Top of Form
1: the act of choosing: selection <finding it hard to make a choice
2: power of choosing : option <you have no choice
3 a: the best part : cream b: a person or thing chosen <she was their first choice
4: a number and variety to choose among <a plan with a wide choice of options>
5: care in selecting6: a grade of meat between prime and good
— Of choice: to be preferred
synonyms choice, option, alternative, preference, selection, election mean the act or opportunity of choosing or the thing chosen. choice suggests the opportunity or privilege of choosing freely <freedom of choice>. option implies a power to choose that is specifically granted or guaranteed <the option of paying now or later>. alternative implies a need to choose one and reject another possibility <equally attractive alternatives>. preference suggests a choice guided by one's judgment or predilections <a preference for cool weather>. selection implies a range of choice <a varied selection of furniture>. election implies an end or purpose which requires exercise of judgment <doing a tax return forces certain elections on you>.
Opinion
Top of Form
1 a: a view, judgment, or appraisal formed in the mind about a particular matter b: approval, esteem2 a: belief stronger than impression and less strong than positive knowledge b: a generally held view3 a: a formal expression of judgment or advice by an expert b: the formal expression (as by a judge, court, or referee) of the legal reasons and principles upon which a legal decision is based
Synonyms opinion, view, belief, conviction, persuasion, sentiment mean a judgment one holds as true. opinion implies a conclusion thought out yet open to dispute <each expert seemed to have a different opinion>. view suggests a subjective opinion <very assertive in stating his views>. belief implies often deliberate acceptance and intellectual assent <a firm belief in her party's platform>. conviction applies to a firmly and seriously held belief <the conviction that animal life is as sacred as human>. persuasion suggests a belief grounded on assurance (as by evidence) of its truth <was of the persuasion that everything changes>. sentiment suggests a settled opinion reflective of one's feelings <her feminist sentiments are well-known>.
Action
Top of Form
1: the initiating of a proceeding in a court of justice by which one demands or enforces one's right ; also : the proceeding itself2: the bringing about of an alteration by force or through a natural agency3: the manner or method of performing: a: an actor's or speaker's deportment or expression by means of attitude, voice, and gesture b: the style of movement of the feet and legs (as of a horse) c: a function of the body or one of its parts 4: an act of will5 a: a thing done : deed b: the accomplishment of a thing usually over a period of time, in stages, or with the possibility of repetition plural : behavior, conduct <unscrupulous actions> d: initiative, enterprise <a man of action6 a (1): an engagement between troops or ships (2): combat in war <gallantry in action> b (1): an event or series of events forming a literary composition (2): the unfolding of the events of a drama or work of fiction : plot (3): the movement of incidents in a plot c: the combination of circumstances that constitute the subject matter of a painting or sculpture7 a: an operating mechanism b: the manner in which a mechanism or instrument operates8 a: the price movement and trading volume of a commodity, security, or market b: the process of betting including the offering and acceptance of a bet and determination of a winner c: financial gain or an opportunity for financial gain <a piece of the action9: sexual activity10: the most vigorous, productive, or exciting activity in a particular field, area, or group <wants to be where the action is>
Respect
Top of Form
1: a relation or reference to a particular thing or situation <remarks having respect to an earlier plan>
2: an act of giving particular attention: consideration
3 a: high or special regard: esteem b: the quality or state of being esteemed plural: expressions of respect or deference <paid our respects
4: particular, detail <a good plan in some respects
Opportunity
Top of Form
1: a favorable juncture of circumstances <the halt provided an opportunity for rest and refreshment>
2: a good chance for advancement or progress
Reference
www.websters-online-dictionary.org
Handout #4 Evaluation Exercise
Match the following terms with the correct scenario according to your personal point of view.
Harmony / democracy/ diversity/ peace/ respect/ opinion/ freedom/ opportunity/ action/ compatibility/ agreement/ choice/all of the above/ none of the above.1- Participation of citizen in elections ______
2- Helping a person in a dangerous situation ______
3- When we care about our friends’ health ______
4- Writing an article for a magazine ______
5- displaying your country’s flag ______
6- Sharing ideas with citizens from a different country ______
7- Fighting with others ______
______
Possible answers:
1-All of the above
2-Action, harmony, opportunity, choice
3- Compatibility, harmony
4-all of the above
5-Democracy, diversity, respect, harmony
6-All of the above
7-None of the above