Garcia- China and Japan mini-unit

[Anonymous]

Hello,
I really enjoyed reading your unit for what I presume is a 7th Grade World History Class. I like that you've incorporated a variety of mediums for learning (i.e. graphic organizers such as flowcharts and bubble maps, essays, a newspaper, and poetry), while still maintaining a cohesive unit that flows and is easy to follow. I also like that their culminating activity to to create a haiku - very creative! Being a stranger to the middle school level, I just have some questions/suggestions about what they may, or may not, already know...(1) Do the students already know how to create a haiku? Do they learn this in English class or will you take time to teach them and provide examples? (2) As for the newspaper, will you be giving them a particular format to follow and/or be strict about how closely it resembles a newspaper (i.e. writing style, etc.) I only ask because I do a similar project with my World History students where I ask them to create a WWI newspaper. Since I hold them accountable for format and accuracy, I usually have to take at least 1/2 a class period going over the different parts of a newspaper (i.e. title, index, featured articles, editorials, etc.). I also briefly discuss the writing style (short paragraphs) to avoid having students write full-on essays on their project. (3) For the short essay/writing assignment, how will you be assessing their work? I highly suggest creating a mini-rubric - they have definitely saved me a ton of work when it comes to grading writing assignments. There is an excellent site called http://www.rubistar.4teachers.org where you can create your own rubric for just about anything (I created a newspaper rubric using this site too!) or browse form thousands of pre-made ones…and it’s free (4) One final suggestion I have is to do the maps at the beginning. I always like to start my units with maps so the kids always have a point of reference ready as we go through the material. Hope this was useful!
edited by cbacon on 7/6/2011

[Anonymous]

Hello Monique, I am one of your assigned reviewers for the curriculum project. I enjoyed reading your lesson plan and admired the way you incorporated literature and fine arts into your 7th grade world history lesson plan, “China and Japan Mini Unit.” It is a very effective strategy to motivate student engagement and to promote them to retain the information for a prolonged time. Students and parents also appreciate the accessibility of students’ proud creation around the classroom. My only suggestion to you is that you could explain how and where this unit fits into your course and what skills your students need to have prior to the lesson by adding “a rationale for the proposed unit,” as listed on the seminar requirements handout. Thank you and have a great summer!

[Anonymous]

Hi everyone! I cannot open any of the lesson plan attachments and it is very frustrating. I do not have microsoft word on my computer. I am wondering if anyone can give me some help as to HOW CAN I OPEN THE LESSON PLAN ATTACHMENTS? Thank you very much! Mary Fraser

[Rob_Hugo@PortNW]

Here is a draft of a mini-unit that I hope to be able to share with my dept. Feedback and suggestions are appreciated. Thanks!

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[Anonymous]

Thank you for your feedback! 1) Yes, I will be teaching Haiku format and purpose, as well as, recieving support from my ELA team member 2)students will also recieve a format for the newspaper (which they would have been exposed to in an earlier unit) 3) rubrics will be student generated and completed in class 4) Absolutely! I will have students complete a map/geography activity at the beginning of the unit. I will make sure to specify that in the lesson plan, along with the rationale.

Thanks everyone for their feedback!

[Author]

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