Scott Morrison Lesson Plan Blowing Rock Elementary School

Article Contents Background Presentation Standard Course of Study Worksheet 1 Worksheet 2

Scott Morrison is a teacher from the "Next Generation." Or the "Net Generation" as Don Tapscott, author of Growing Up Digital calls it. Scott was one of those adventurous youngsters who grew up with technology. Integrating technology into the curriculum comes naturally to him. The United Nations project is a sample of the innovative projects he designed during his first year of teaching. He is now enjoying his second year of teaching sixth grade at Blowing Rock Elementary in Blowing Rock, North Carolina. To see how his students' thought about the project and Scott's Spotlight on Teachers. Lesson Plan: For Social Studies, Communication Skills, Technology Grade 6 Time Required: 3 days Classroom Organization: Students are in cooperative groups of 3-5 people. Each group shares 2-3 computers with internet access.

BACKGROUND KNOWLEDGE

• Use of internet. My class has had many hours of practice using www.cnn.com.
• Countries in Europe/how they interact/problems they face. My class did research on specific countries. They were "elected" to a country and "elected" to a position in the United Nations of our school.

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PRESENTATION

Day 1:

• Review what will be expected. Give the students a general idea what the final product will consist of and look like.
• Explore the website (www.unsystem.org/index10.html). Allow the students 15-20 minutes to explore many organizations, agencies, etc. Let them get familiar with the information the website contains.
• Find students who discover something interesting and show the class. For example, if a student discovers the Cyber Schoolbus, give the other students the address and let them explore.
• Discuss what was found. Let students share what they found interesting and why.

Day 2:

• Follow the guidelines on the handouts. The students will be assigned organizations (or if they find one they like, they may chose) and will take notes from that particular web page.
• Most web pages will have the information needed. Some may be too difficult. For example, the International Atomic Energy Association is too difficult for most students to understand.
• Monitor student findings. Answer any questions that may arise. Stop occasionally and allow students to share some findings and give examples.
• When note taking is completed, students should go into Microsoft Works and begin on the second sheet, Using Your Information.

Day 3:

• Students should finish all typing.
• Discuss the findings. Talk about what each organization does, how important it is, and what might happen if it did not exist.
• Present the problems the students wrote to the class. Have the class discuss possible solutions.

Optional Activities:

• Write clarification or persuasion papers about the importance of their organization.
• Email another class, the President, etc. about their findings.
• Create a collage depicting what their organization does.
• Write a poem depicting the problems your organization addresses.

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Standard Course of Study:

Social Studies

7.2 Cite examples of people of Europe including areas formerly in the Soviet Union meeting their needs through family life, education, religion, and other cultural activities.

7.3 Assess political and economic institutions in Europe including areas formerly in the Soviet Union in terms of how well they enable people to meet their needs.

9.4 Describe the characteristics of economic decision-making in Europe including areas formerly in the Soviet Union and how they have changed over time.

10.1 Describe ways in which the economies of nations in Europe including areas formerly in the Soviet Union are interdependent.

10.2 Assess causes and effects of increasing international economic interdependence.

11.1 Identify and describe changes which have occurred in ways of living in Europe including areas formerly in the Soviet Union.

11.2 Identify examples of cultural transmission and interaction within and among regions in Europe including areas formerly in the Soviet Union.

11.3 Evaluate the effects of change on the lives of people in Europe including areas formerly in the Soviet Union.

12.3 Trace an economic, political, or social development through the history of Europe including areas formerly in the Soviet Union, judge its impact on society, and predict future changes.

Communications Skills

Writing

• Use multiple forms of writing.
• Use writing for interpretation and application of information
• Use writing for analysis and evaluation
• Use strategies and processes that enhance control of writing skills development

Reading

• Read and comprehend a variety of printed materials
• Use reading for acquisition, interpretation, and application of information
• Use reading for analysis and evaluation

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Worksheet 1

Your Name ___________________________

Country _____________________________

Committee Name ______________________

Website: www.unsystem.org/index10.html

Directions: Take notes from the website to answer the following questions......

• What is your committees main function? List some of their activities and programs.
• List as many as possible to show the importance of your committee.
• What has your committee accomplished in the past? List some successful programs and achievements if you can.
• Brainstorm for some ideas on how to convince the United Nations that your committee is valuable.
• What would happen if your committee did not exist?
• What kind of problems would arise? List 3-5 ideas.

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Worksheet #2:

Using Your Information

Your country is required to submit a 3-page packet which will include the following information:

Page 1:

• Write an entry for an encyclopedia.
• Bold your committee's name.
• Explain your committee's function.
• Give examples of what might occur atone of your meetings.
• Please be specific.
• The goal of this page is to show that your committee is very involved in the world.

Page 2:

• The UN has a limited budget.
• In the year 1999 3 committees will be terminated.
• Write a letter to the Secretary General stating why you think your committee is valuable and worth keeping.
• You must be convincing.
• Give examples to the kind of work you do and why it is important.

Page 3:

• Create a problem!
• Make up a realistic problem that could happen in Europe that the United Nations would have to solve.
• Make it detailed and solvable (not impossible!).
  

Final Step: You need a cover page. It must follow these guidelines:

• committee name centered at the top, font size 28
• country name centered in the middle of the page, font size 26
• Names of the members of the country centered below the name of the country, in italics, and alphabetized. Use font size 22

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