Age of Discovery Part 1 Unit Overview
In this unit, student-historians will discuss the concepts of discovery and exploration through the lens of the maritime-explorers. Student-Historians will uncover the origins of the Age of Discovery, the motivations that lead sovereigns to invest in exploration, the reasons that lead explorers to set off into the unknown, and the complex international dynamics of this age.
Essential Questions:1. What motivates people to explore the unknown?
2. How is a good argument constructed? 3. How can evidence be used to support an argument? |
Enduring Understandings:1. Students will uncover human motivations for exploring the unknown.
2. Students will understand how evidence can be used to construct a good argument. |
Established Goals: PA Core Standards
8.1.9.B: Compare the interpretation of historical events and sources, considering the use of fact versus opinion, multiple perspectives, and cause and effect relationships
8.1.9.C: Construct research on a historical topic using a thesis statement and demonstrate use of appropriate primary and secondary sources.
8.1.12.B: Evaluate the interpretation of historical events and sources, considering the use of fact versus opinion, multiple perspectives, and cause and effect relationships.
8.1.U.C: Analyze, synthesize and integrate historical data, creating a product that supports and appropriately illustrates inferences and conclusions drawn from research
8.1.9.C: Construct research on a historical topic using a thesis statement and demonstrate use of appropriate primary and secondary sources.
8.1.12.B: Evaluate the interpretation of historical events and sources, considering the use of fact versus opinion, multiple perspectives, and cause and effect relationships.
8.1.U.C: Analyze, synthesize and integrate historical data, creating a product that supports and appropriately illustrates inferences and conclusions drawn from research
Assessment Evidence
Students will show evidence of learning through formative assessment and summative assessment. Listed below are each days check-in and a quick explanation of their purpose:
Monday: Free Write: What would you explore if time and money were not a problem?
Students will spend the last 5-7 minutes of class answering the free write question. This activity has two goals in mind: first, that students will begin to get in the explorer mind set and be mentally more prepared for the following day, and secondly, that I will be able to get to know my students better and thus be able to tailor my curriculum to their interests. Tuesday: Exit Ticket: Practice thesis We will have reviewed thesis writing and as practice I will have students write a thesis about any subject they like--sports, celebrities, movies, etc. Each student will hand in a practice thesis as their exit ticket. This will allow me to see of the one thesis lesson was enough or if another mini teach is required. Wednesday: Main Argument Points for Skit On Wednesday, students will have the majority of class to work in their groups for the "Shark Tank" presentations on Friday. Because students will be working in groups, I will have each group turn in a list of 3 of the main arguments they will use on Friday. This allows me to check for understanding and to check if students were on task. |
Thursday: Thesis Statement about Discovers/Sovereigns
Students will hand in their first graded assignment today. They will be required to combine the three skills they have been working on all week, reading of Primary Source Documents, writing of theses, and understanding the content knowledge they have acquired, in order to write an argumentative thesis based on the discoverer or sovereign they were assigned on Wednesday. Friday: Chart filled in about "Shark Tank" rounds/ feedback to other classmates Fishbowl Friday will require students to hand in the packet they used to participate in the "Shark Tank" that will be occurring the whole period on Friday. This is also a graded assignment and is the culmination of our week where students must use documents to make a argument and convince others of their stance based on the content knowledge they have acquired this week. |
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