Assignment #3 | Content Area Teaching Ideas
Written by: Kiley Little
Content Area: History
Subject Matter Focus: Causes of WWII
Part I: Research on What Exists
Lesson #1 Analysis:
(https://scholar.vt.edu/access/content/user/meet/Public%20Folder/Public%20Folder/Documents/student
%20teaching%20artifacts/Causes%20of%20WWII%20Lesson%20Plan-1.pdf)
The core concept for the Causes of WWII is somewhat adequately presented for a
middle school history class, although the lesson plan could allow for more critical
thinking and analysis of different outlooks on the possible causes of WWII. The teacher
provides two main reasons for the beginning of WWII but emphasis is placed on the
role of Hitler and Fascism. In this lesson plan it appears as though the ideas for the
causes of WWII are simply set out by the teacher; providing little opportunity for the
students to question, analyze and assess other possible cause for the beginning of
WWII. There is minimal use of differentiation, other than a provision to allow some
students to cut and paste causes onto a timeline in a chronological order. The teacher
could have provided further differentiation by allowing higher level kids to explore, in a
small group or independently possible causes for WWII as well as making use of
compare and contrasting graphic organizers and perhaps the use of a KWL graphic
organizer to touch on prior knowledge from the previous unit on WWI.
Lesson #2 Analysis
(http://www.sharemylesson.com/teaching-resource/Causes-of-WW2-and-reactions-6095092/)
The core concept for the Causes of WWII is inadequately presented in this lesson
plan for a middle school history class. Students are provided with only four possible
reasons why WWII started via a PowerPoint presentation. A clear heavy emphasis is
placed on the role Hitler and the Germany played in igniting the war. This suggests
that there is little room for critical thinking, exploration, and analysis of differing views
of the causes of WWII. There also appears to be little use of differentiated instruction.
Although various tools are used such as a comparing and contrasting graphic organizer,
vocabulary word bank and a final written responses for assessment of knowledge
gained, there is no indication that various learning styles or levels were accounted for.
Differentiation instruction or tools could be utilized within the vocabulary activities, as
well as the possible use of video or audio media to outline causes of WWII.
Lesson #3 Analysis
(http://www.themountainschool.org/view/670.pdf)
The core concept for the Causes of World War II is adequately addressed in this
lesson plan for a middle school history class. The plan seeks to have students analyze
10 possible contributing factors to the causes of WWII in the European theatre. The
teacher-generated list acts as a guide for student exploration into the possible reasons
why WWII began in 1939. From the Treaty of Versailles, to Hitler’s rise to power, and
the German invasion of Czechoslovakia and Poland; the students are provided a variety
of possibilities to read, discuss and complete activities about with the end goal of
determining the root cause of WWII. While the teacher make use of a variety of
suggested tools and resources such as graphic organizers, vocabulary activities,
political cartoons and creative writing assignments, it does seem to provided little room
for real student-centered exploration, critical thinking and analysis. How the lesson and
activities are going to be Differentiated is not specifically outlined in the plan, however
the “suggested activities” perhaps signifies the different options for different levels of
learners. Most, if not all of the information is provided to students with the expectation
of memorizing dates, names and facts for the final assessment which is an in class test
that includes one closed ended essay question.
Part II: New Teaching Trend
When teaching the Causes of WWII to my middle school history I would
implement both a flipped classroom approach as well as inquiry based learning to
create a more active and engaged learning environment for the students. Preceding
the lesson focus we would discuss cause and effect relationships. The whole lesson
would be taught over 3 periods.
(Pre) & Day 1 :
Flipped Classroom Approach: Rather than simply provide the students with a
powerpoint of possible causes for WWII, I would start the unit by providing students
with a “Crash Course” YouTube video1 to be viewed at home prior to class.
Differentiated Flipped Classroom (for EAL students): Brain Pop video link2 with
accompany comprehension question activity
Students would then be put into groups, with a mix of levels, to discuss their thoughts
on the videos they viewed. Each group will create their own graphic organizer that lists
all possible causes of the war. We will then regroup as a class and discuss each group’s
conclusions of all the possible causes of WWII. Following the discussion students will
be provided with another graphic organizer3 to complete more in depth details of the
causes for homework. Within the organizer students will also focus on content
vocabulary words.
1
2
3
Resource 1: http://goo.gl/6T1bt
Resource 2: http://goo.gl/MhOSIE
Resource 3: http://goo.gl/Fupued
Differentiation: two separate graphic organizers will be provided, one with only headers
and no details and one which requires students to fill in only the missing gaps of
information.
Day 2:
As a class we will discuss their findings on the seven possible causes of WWII
highlighted on their graphic organizers as well as content vocabulary words. Students
will then be put into groups to determine what they think was the ultimate catalyst for
the start of WWII. Their final decision will be displayed through the creation of a
Piktochart4. Their Piktochart will include graphics, words and any other media they see
fit. Each group will be expected to explain their rational behind their decision.
Day 3:
Presentation of Piktocharts
4
Resource 4: http://piktochart.com
Video - Rise of
Facism and Hitler
Providing Key
Content Vocabulary
Exit Passes
Powerpoint to Outline
Contributing Factors
Graphic Organizer - Germany Reasons vs. World Reactions
Modifications for Diverse
Learners Provided
Comparing and
Contrasting
5 Minute Free Write of
Causes of WWII
Teaching Ideas/Tools
Large Emphasis on Hitler
and Germany's power
Vocabulary Word
Bank Provided
Teaching Ideas/Tools
4 Possible Reasons as
Causes of WWII
Lesson #1
2 Contributing Factors
to WWII Provided
Lesson #2
Rise of Facism
Political Instability
as Result of WWI
The Causes of WWII
Close Ended Question
Assessment
Written Response
10 Contributing Factors to WWII Provided
Lesson #3
Direction to Include Key Words
Discuss Cause and
Effect Relationships
Create a Timeline
Teaching Ideas/Tools
Debate
Use of
Political
Cartoons
Use of Graphic
Organizers
Creative
Writing
Assessment
9 test questions
Vocabulary Focus
Crossword/Wordsearch
Match and Define
Minimal
Critcal
Thinking
Memorize dates,
names, facts
Anagrams
One Question using
higher order thinking; Select, Analyze, Interpret