Summary
This lesson was designed to help students gain a deeper understanding and perspective on the Civil War. The class revisited a discussion about how our country was divided into two sides during the war, both with very strong viewpoints and beliefs. This discussion was used as a jumping-off-point for the authentic task. Students were posed with the authentic task of creating a Public Service Announcement(PSA) on a topic of important concern for their peer group. Students had to develop an original PSA to to explain an area of concern and how to bring the two sides together. When finished creating their products students were asked reflect upon how opposing viewpoints and beliefs can divide people. Students also had to think about the impacts that PSA’s have on changing people’s viewpoints and beliefs.
TIPC Ratings
This lesson is Entry in the strand of Research and Information Fluency. Students viewed Public Service Announcements provided by the teacher in order to learn what they were and how to create one.
This lesson is Approaching in the strand of Communication and Collaboration. Students worked with groups of four to five students that were self-selected. They were required to create an original skit together to create a common product. The final products were shared on the teacher’s website. Students reflected on their work and set goals for future assignments.
This lesson is Ideal/Target in the strand of Critical Thinking and Problem Solving. Students had to develop an original PSA to to explain an area of concern and how to bring the two sides together. They were required to reflect upon their work and how different viewpoints related to the Civil War. Student reflections illustrated their ability to relate their topic to class discussions about opposing viewpoints during the Civil War.
This lesson is Developing in the strand of Creativity and Innovation. Students had to work together to create an original PSA problem solving that would persuade others to change their viewpoints. However, they only had one choice in technology tool for their final product presentation. Giving the students choice in technology tool would increase the lesson’s rating on the TIPC.
