Created By:  Jeffrey Scott Bell, 1999©

Student Performance Objectives:
ïCiting a current event, predict its impact on individuals, including oneself.

ï Predict how conflicts in values or beliefs may affect relationships among individuals
   or groups within the U.S.

ïExamine decisions made by citizens of  the U.S. In terms of consequences  for other peoples of the world, and vice versa.
 

Learning Outcomes & Learning Strands:

(People & Nations of the World)
ïStudents will demonstrate an understanding of history, diversity, and commonality of the peoples of the nation and the world, the reality of human interdependence, the need for global cooperation, and a multicultural perspective.

(Skills and Processes)
ïStudents will demonstrate the ability-- individually and as part of the group--to gather information, think critically, and solve problems as needed to facilitate responsible decision-making, to understand complex ideas, and to generate new ideas.

(Valuing Self and Others)
ïStudents will demonstrate attainment of a positive self-concept and empathy toward others in order to improve interaction among individuals and groups in our democratic society.

 LearningIndicators:

ïUsing a current event, predict its impact on individuals, including oneself.

ïObtain, interpret, organize, and use print and non-print sources of information such as pictures, graphics, maps, globes, and artifacts.

ïParticipate in a group in a variety of roles, such as leader,  follower,  member, encourager, facilitator and recorder.

ïAnalyze the impact of social institutions and the media on the behavior of individual groups.
 

Essential / Investigation Question:

What is happening in our world today?
 
 

Lesson Overview:
This lesson is designed to be used in a Single Computer Classroom, Multiple Computer Classroom, or Computer Lab with internet connection.
 

Essential Question:
Ask: Why do we need to know current events?  (To be an informed citizen)
Why is it important to be an informed citizen?
Cue Set:
Ask: What is happening in our world today?
Has any one heard of a breaking local/state/world news story that is of relevance to Social Science class?
Discuss: Student generated current events with class for a few moments.

Teaching Strategies:
Divide Students into five cooperative groups.
Each student will be given one of the following roles to play in the group.
(Each of these roles must be developed before the lesson is presented)
ï Coach  - Check to be sure that everyone agrees on the instructions, asking for help if there is a disagreement.  See that all members have an equal chance to participate and donít waste time.
ïSurfer  - This student will be the only student to use the computer and will listen to the other members (Explorer ) ideas on what to do.
ïExplorer  - This student will gather ideas from group and pass information on to the (Surfer ).
ïEncourager  - Give lots of praise and encouragement to members as your group works.
ïReader  - Read information from resources aloud to the group.  Check to see that everyone is listening.

Students will then go to the computers and log onto one of the following web sites to find out about the current  or historical event.

Guided Practice:

Have EACH student complete the web quest.
 
 

Independent Practice:
Return to seats complete the summary as homework . 
Closure:
Return to seats to present summaries as a jig saw cooperative group activity or present to whole group.

End of class or presentations.
Ask: What did we learn?
Cover the last two
Why is it important to be an infor
Read articles in a Weekly Reader/Scholastic/Time ect.