Lesson Plan Idea Format
Grade Level & Subject Area: _Grade Six_____Social Studies____
Standards/Framework (Common Core, NAEYC, Mid-level ….):
G.8.6.3 Synthesize information from a variety of sources to construct maps and other geographic
representations to ask and answer compelling questions D2Geo3.6-8
G.9.6.2 Analyze ways cultural characteristics influenced population distribution in various civilizations up
to 1500 C.E. D2.Geo.6.6-8
H.13.6.12 Examine causes and effects of conflict within and among the major empires and civilizations
D2.His.14.6-8
H.13.6.15 Analyze the global influence and impact of the achievements and perspectives of various
individuals (e.g., Gutenberg, Joan of Arc, Niccolo Machiavelli, Saladin, Sundiata Keita, Mansa Musa,
Genghis Khan) D2.His.4.6-8
H.13.6.16 Examine effects of invaders from various regions on societies (e.g., disease, famine, cultural
assimilation, Mongols, Vikings, Crusade, Maya, Aztecs) D2.His.15.6-8
H.13.6.18 Analyze ways new ideas contributed to the development of the modern world using multiple
sources and perspectives (e.g., empire building, Humanism, isolationism, education) D2.His.2.6-8
H.13.6.19 Analyze effects of cultural interactions and connections among societies over time (e.g., art,
literature, religion, architecture, music, science, technology) D2.His.1.6-8
Theme/Series of Lessons (if Not applicable, put N/A. If it is part of a series, of
lessons, tell me, give a BRIEF description of the overall and tell me where this
particular lesson fits): This lesson is one that will be part of a larger set of lessons, but it is
currently going to go along with the Mongol Empire lesson as a complimentary lesson.
Time (is this a 1 day 50 minute lesson, 5 day 1 hour lesson, once a week over a
month lesson….): This is a two day lesson that will follow the Mongol Empire lesson.
What do the students already know? (This could be the Intro or they have learned
information before starting this lesson): At the time of this lesson, students should know
that Kublai Khan, the emperor of the Yuan Dynasty in China, attempted to conquer Japan in
1274 and 1281, but was thwarted by well trained Japanese Samurai and a typhoon that was then
renamed Kamikaze, which means divine wind.
Objective (What are the students’ going to accomplish):
Students will begin to understand that the world is a very interconnected place and that events in
the past influence us even today.
Students will be able to correctly identify Japan on a map.
Students will learn Japanese vocabulary for this set of lessons.
Students will discover that Murasaki Shikibu wrote what is known as the world's first Novel
called the Tale of Genji.
Students will think critically about naval invasions and understand that the Mongol invasion of
Japan was the largest naval invasion until D-Day during World War II.
Materials: This set of lessons will require a computer with a projector connected and a sound
system of some sort installed. A large map of Japan will also be necessary. I can use the
computer for historically accurate maps of the Mongol Empire as well as detailed maps of Japan
during the 13th century. Students will need pencil/pen and paper to take notes. I will also hand
out 3x5 note cards for students to write down vocabulary flash cards. Students will also have
their journals.
Procedure:
Day One: Students will begin class with a bellringer with the prompt - "What do you think the
oldest novel in the world is? What country do you think it came from?" Students will then watch
a video about The Tale of Genji from http://www.learner.org/vod/vod_window.html?pid=2336
When the video is over, we will have a class discussion about the video. Students will write in
their journal for the last five minutes of class describing their thoughts about the video.
Day Two: Students will begin class with a bellringer "Why do you think The Tale of Genji was
so popular and important to those living in Japan at the time?" Students will then receive
instructional information on vocabulary and be split into dyads to practice them. After 15 or so
minutes, I'll play the video I made and discuss the Mongol invasion of Japan with the class. I will
also hand out a study guide for students to work on for home work to prepare for the summative
assessment.
Day Three: Students will work on exam for most of class. When students are finished with the
exam, they may get out the book they are currently reading or find a book from the classroom
library.
Assessment (How will the students’ show you that the objective has been met):
Students will be assessed in both summative and formative ways. Students will be given a quiz
in which they receive a map of Asia. They will have to properly identify Japan on this map.
Bonus points will be awarded for each other country they can identify on the map.
The next assessment will be formative. I plan to break students into dyads to work on vocabulary
from the lesson. Students will quiz one another on the words to ensure they have gotten them
down. I will be monitoring the students' success.
Finally, there will be a summative assessment at the end of the lesson. Students should know
who the author of The Tale of Genji was and the date in which she wrote it. There will be a
vocabulary section in which they will correctly fill in the blank choosing from a word bank to the
side of the page, a short answer section, and one short essay on the battle that ended the
Mongolian invasion of Japan. This assessment will account for 25 possible grade points.
A Brief Description Of The Entire Lesson - Plus Any Additional Information to be
Included:
Day One: Students will begin class with a bellringer with the prompt - "What do you think the
oldest novel in the world is? What country do you think it came from?" Students will then watch
a video about The Tale of Genji from http://www.learner.org/vod/vod_window.html?pid=2336
When the video is over, we will have a class discussion about the video. Students will write in
their journal for the last five minutes of class describing their thoughts about the video.
Day Two: Students will begin class with a bellringer "Why do you think The Tale of Genji was
so popular and important to those living in Japan at the time?" Students will then receive
instructional information on vocabulary and be split into dyads to practice them. After 15 or so
minutes, I'll play the video I made and discuss the Mongol invasion of Japan with the class. I will
also hand out a study guide for students to work on for home work to prepare for the summative
assessment.
Day Three: Students will work on exam for most of class. When students are finished with the
exam, they may get out the book they are currently reading or find a book from the classroom
library.
(I should be able to see and understand your entire lesson by reading this.
Remember, Technology is not the lesson. It enhances the lesson)