Lesson Summary
Working in groups and as an individual, the students will
write a section of a new world history textbook on the causes of the Cold War,
the importance of the Truman Doctrine and Marshall Plan to prevent the spread
of communism and the resulting economic and political competition in arenas
such as Southeast Asia, Cuba and Africa.
California Academic Standard(s)
- 10.9.2 – Analyze the causes of the Cold War, with the free world on one side and Soviet client states on the other, including competition for influence in such places as Egypt, the Congo, Vietnam and Chile.
- 10.9.3 – Understand the importance of the Truman Doctrine and the Marshall Plan, which established the pattern for America’s postwar policy of supplying economic and military aid to prevent the spread of Communism and the resulting economic and political competition in arenas such as Southeast Asia, Cuba and Africa.
Time Frame
(3) to (4) 50 minute classes
Goal
The students will achieve both critical thinking and writing
skills while developing a deep understanding of the causes of the Cold War, the
importance of the Truman Doctrine and Marshall Plan to prevent the spread of communism
and the resulting economic and political competition in arenas such as
Southeast Asia, Cuba and Africa.
Learning Styles
- Linguistic
- Auditory
- Social
- Logical
- Intrapersonal
Lesson Plan
Anticipatory Set
The instructor will write a question on the board that states
“If you could improve your world history textbook, how would you go about it?” The instructor will allow the students two
minutes to think about their answer and then call on random students to provide
answers. The instructor will write the
answers on the board.
Direct Instruction
The instructor will briefly discuss the causes and effects
of the Cold War. The instructor will
tell the students that they will be writing a textbook section for their world
history book on key elements of the Cold War.
The instructor will provide the students with the following handout:
Textbook Publisher
Project
Working in groups, you
will write a section on the Cold War for a new world history textbook. To begin the process of writing the new
textbook section, you will complete an outline for the three specific subjects
in the section. The subjects include:
- Causes of the Cold War
- The importance of the Truman Doctrine and Marshall Plan to prevent the spread of communism
- The resulting economic and political competition in arenas such as Southeast Asia (Korea, Vietnam), Cuba and Africa
Each individual in the
group will be responsible for writing one of the outlines.
Each outline must
answer the following questions:
- Who are the major individuals and countries involved?
- Where are the key locations?
- When did key events transpire?
- What are the major events?
- How did this subject affect the countries directly involved, the region and the world?
- Why is this subject important to understand for students reading this textbook?
Once the outlines are
completed and approved by me, you will pass the outline to another person in
your group so that they can write the completed text for the section.
The first draft of the
textbook section will be written in pen and once it is approved by me, you will
type the final draft double spaced. You will submit the textbook
section as a team.
Remember: Your
objective is to write a textbook section that is interesting, makes sense to high
school students and is complete with all the pertinent information.
Have Fun!
Modeling
Using the computer and overhead, the instructor will show an
outline for another subject (preferably, a standard-based subject).
Guided Practice
The instructor will assign the students in groups of
three. (If the class is uneven for
three, place students in groups of four and have two students complete the same
outline. For students who struggle with
writing, it may be conducive to add another team member to support this
student). The students will decide on
which subject each person in the group will be responsible for and the students
will complete the outline for the subject of the textbook section.
Checks for Understanding
The instructor will review each outline and approve them.
Modeling
Using the computer and overhead, the instructor will show a
completed textbook section for the standard subject they previously
outlined. (This is a great technique to
teach other key standards while showing the students how to complete their
project).
Guided Practice
The students will exchange outlines and complete the first
draft of the textbook section.
Checks for Understanding
The instructor will review the first drafts and approve
them.
Independent Study
The students will complete the final draft of the textbook
section by typing it double spaced and collating it with the other students in
the group.
Checks for Understanding
Each group will submit their final version of the textbook
section to the instructor.
Direct Instruction
Using the computer and overhead, the instructor will show
some of the best textbook sections created by the class.