Subject: Social Studies
Grades: 9th and up
Objectives: Students will practice their Reading, listening comprehension, and writing skills while demonstrating their understanding of current affairs through the president’s weekly address found on whitehouse.gov.
Standards: NYSED Standard # 5: Civics, citizenship, and government- Students will demonstrate their understanding of the necessity for establishing governments, the governmental system of the U.S., and the basic civil values of American constitutional democracy.
Could also Tie in # 4: Economics- Students will demonstrate their understanding of how the U.S. develops an economic system.
Other standards will apply depending on what is covered in the weekly addresses.
www.nysed.gov
Materials: A computer with access to the internet
Procedures:
First instruct students how to set up a blog, as well as how to find the presidents weekly address at http://www.whitehouse.gov/weekly_address/ and how to find the presidents blog at http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/. Next explain that the students are to watch the president’s weekly address and view the blog updates. They are to then summarize in their blog what they have learned from the weekly address in conjunction with the blog updates. The next step is for them to, in blog form; respond to what they have learned. What are their opinions, their questions, and their concerns? Providing an example blog entry is recommended. Lastly they are to review each other’s blogs and respond with constructive comments regarding the other student’s questions or concerns (a lesson on “what are constructive comments” may be required). Note: The president’s weekly address happens on Saturday, so Monday night would be a good time to have the blogs due, then perhaps the comments should be due a few days later, such as Wednesday night. Also you could specifically tie in Standard number 4 by having them at times focus on economic issues.
Accommodations for students with different abilities: there are many ways to cater this lesson to students of different abilities; the specifics really depend on the students in your classroom. A separate rubric could be used for students who have difficulty writing, one that accommodates extra time, and allows for you to review and revise his work with him or her. Perhaps the students could first write their blog in a word document to be reviewed by yourself and then the student could revise it before it is published.
Rubric:
Topic Analysis: How on topic is the blog- does it show that the student watched the weekly address- does the students response either raise questions, concerns, or express opinions regarding the weekly address and blog updates? -20%
Application: Does the blog show that the student is applying what they have learned either to their life or to information we have covered in class? – 15%
Critical thinking: Does the blog show upper level thinking? Does the student look at what was said in the weekly address and express an understanding or concern of what the implications are of any changes being brought forth? - 10%
Writing clarity and Readability: Spelling, Grammar, is the entry easily read or are there distractions within the writing? – 20%
Creativity and expression of ideas: Do the blog entries express the student as an individual? Are their own ideas being presented, or are they bringing in outside information and citing it when their own ideas are not being used? - 25%
Timeliness: Was the blog entry on time 5%, were comments made on others blogs on time 5%?
I really liked your idea for accommodating differently able students. Allowing students to revise their blog posts before posting them allows them to improve their writing each time.
ReplyDeleteThe lesson itself is a great way for students to keep up with current events and also be able to apply it to their personal lives enabling them to talk about things they've learned with their parents or other adults.
I liked that you addressed the possible need for a conversation on what constructive comments would be, since some students may feel compelled to merely summarize or agree with the post instead of constructively commenting.
The only trouble I see with your lesson is that the student has to have a computer with internet access at home. Perhaps for underprivileged families you could adjust the due dates for this lesson plan to enable time for students to complete it in the library computer lab during a study hall period.
Jess, I enjoyed your creative use of the President's address and blog.
ReplyDeleteIt is an excellent idea especially because Obama is so knowledgeable, clear, and, logical.
Title of blog is missing.
Objectives: Could we organize them a bit? Maybe to Practice Listening Comprehension/Reading/Writing skills, to summarize information, to look up background information on interesting points and to discuss them.
Standards: Depending on the topic of the weekly address they will vary: Econ, World Affairs, History, Geography. Could you add English standards and a link to writing guidelines so students know what to expect?
Nice addition of Materials! And great comment from Laura about the fact that some students might not have access to computers/audio/video, etc.
Procedures: Definitely ask to maybe chat about what constructive criticism means. Maybe find some articles on the subject?
I love the idea of using the President's speeches because it would involve students in their government, they would understand more and become better citizens.
As an extension, what about asking them to write to the Pres with their ideas?
Accommodation: A separate rubric for students with learning difficulties might not be fair to all, especially since you include text, visual and audio in the variety of ways that they can get the information.
Excellent job and I look forward to the presentation tomorrow!
I really love this idea - it's a perfect way to get students involved with government and caring about the country, especially since it involves the whole thing with the internet and getting attention, which is kind of what blogs are for on some level and which kids tend to like to get. It's all lovely; perfect way to get them thinking.
ReplyDeleteI only have two concerns - if a thing is due on Sunday, and the talks are on Saturday, you'd have to make sure that the students have access to the internet at least at a library or something (for instance, in my town plenty of kids wouldn't have a computer, and the library's closed on Sundays). Also, it seems to me that for the "writing" component to work - for one to be actually teaching them - the teacher would have to go over all of their blogs and give them style pointers, etc., not just those of the kids who need extra help. And now I think about it, that's an issue for mine as well...
This is a great lesson plan... Even I could do it. Would you be allowing time to do this in class for any students you might have without access to computers?
ReplyDeleteIt is great that you would change your rubric for students who have difficulties in specific areas.
ReplyDeleteMm, I like having an example for the standards and being able to relate to it to class. I missed that. Plus, speedy edit for the win. Got right on that weekend issue.
ReplyDeleteAnd I do like going over the blog with students beforehand if they need help. That seems like the perfect way to do it.
Unequal but fair. I like that. It's a good thing for students to learn.
Its a well done its a comprehensive lesson plan, and included the video of the weekly address.
ReplyDeletegreat use of links to references. your procedure was very detailed which is very helpful when the time comes to teach the lesson. I think you lesson is good for having students who are not very interested current affairs become aware. The usage of videos is always my favorite, it beats being talked at by the teacher. Nice rubric, it incorporates all aspects of the assignments. The lesson plan requires the student to make use of various skills. :0)
ReplyDeleteThis is an effective use of blogging-- it enhances the learning by connecting students to current events via the internet and the president's weekly address. The use of blogs and the internet makes sense here-- it's clearly purposeful and goes beyond just using a typical pen and paper activity and then transferring it to blogging.
ReplyDeleteI love the idea that students are using Obama's weekly blogs to develop their reading, writing, and reading skills. The materials are very authentic. Students could increase their comprehension of politics and economics on news or newspaper as well.
ReplyDeleteI really like this project. I like how it can be used for many different grade levels. How would you change the intensity of the project to fit to different grades? What is the focus of your lesson plan?
ReplyDeleteI liked the idea for the lesson plan. It is important for students to stay updated on current events. Good use of links too.
ReplyDeleteIn response to Cass: The level of writing required would really be how you change the grade level, The assignment essentially stays the same it is just that the level of work the students are handing in that changes. The focus is really to expose students to the weekly address so that they are taking part in current events and learning about their government, While also expanding on their writing and analytical skills.
ReplyDelete