World War II Multimedia Project
Margie Adkins

Curriculum Overview - This unit will be the culminating project for the 4th quarter Social Studies curriculum.  During the 4th quarter students study the Industrial Revolution and the 20th Century.  This project will be linked to Language Arts through literature about World War II and to Science through the study of inventions and technology.

Abstract -  Students will research various topics concerning World War II.  They will web the information they found and create a multimedia slideshow or imovie.

Invitation - News of World War II was often seen through newsreels at movie theaters.  Your students can create something similar to share with the class.

Standards:

1.  Explain ways that general public opinion, individuals, and groups influence and shape public policy.
2.  Write questions and research answers about special individuals from eras of U.S. History drawing information from a variety of traditional and electronic sources.
3.  Make inferences about historical events and eras using historical maps and other sources.
4.  Describe and place in chronological order major events in the development of the U.S.
5.  Describe how physical characteristics of places influence peoples' perceptions.


Assessment:

1.   Grade webs according to rubric.
2.  Grade multimedia projects according to rubric.
3.  Standards skills assessed according to rubric
4.  Multiple choice test


Tasks:

1.  Read and discuss the section in the textbook about World War II.
2.  Class will be divided into 6 groups and each group will be assigned one of the following topics:

         The Normandy Invasion              Pearl Harbor
         The Atom Bomb                         The Home Front
         The Holocaust                           The Battle of Britain

3.  Each group will receive a vocabulary/question handout that specifies the required information for their topic.  They will spend 4-6 days rotating through stations to find the required information.  The stations include: the computer; reference books; resource books from the library; and maps, posters and other printed materials.  Students will then create an information web on Inspiration. Groups can add extra information about their topics if they desire.  Webs must include graphics about their topic.
4.  Each group will then spend 1-2 days using the information and graphics they found to create a multimedia slideshow or an imovie to present to the class.


Situations - This unit will take approximately 1 month to complete.  Tasks 1 and 2 will require about 2 weeks time.  Task 3 will take 4-6 days.  Task 4 will require 2-3 days to create and present their projects.

Interactions - Teacher will lead class discussions and act as facilitator during research and production activities.  Students will participate in class discussions and work in cooperative groups.

Accommodations - Students with special needs will be able to work with other members of their groups to complete the tasks.  Testing accommodations will be made as specified in IEPs.  Gifted students will be able to expand on the final projects in any way they choose.

Tools:

Support Needs - During this unit I will need help from the librarian in helping students locate information.  I will also require help from parents or other community members in assisting students during their rotations.