Social Studies Lesson Three
Rhyme a Ballad
Water quality is a concern throughout the world. Some areas have faced serious
challenges recently in terms of water quality. This visual representation of a
solution that caused a bigger problem should serve as a warning to us.
Objectives: After the presentation of this lesson students will be able to:
1. identify how and why water becomes polluted.
2. analyze a visual representation of pollution to water in Bangladesh.
3. produce a ballad about water quality.
NEVADA CIVICS STANDARDS 4, 5
NEVADA GEOGRAPHY STANDARDS 2, 3, 5
NEVADA HISTORY STANDARD 10
Materials: Audiovisual Fact Finder, Ballad Directions, video “The Best Intentions”
(from 60 Minutes, 6/6/99, available through Channel 10), plain white paper
for each student, colored pencils or markers
Time: One or two class periods
Procedures:
1. Students should be seated in their groups.
2. Students will each be given an “ Audiovisual Fact Finder.” (see attached)
3. The instructor will direct students in the day’s activities.
a. We are going to view a video clip from 60 Minutes entitled “The Best
Intentions.”
b. Please use your Audiovisual Fact Finder to help you list some of the facts
presented in this piece.
4. Instructor shows the video clip.
5. Students work to complete the Audiovisual Fact Finder.
a. Students list top 10 facts presented by the video.
b. Students write one paragraph about what they learned from the video.
Extension Activity: (Can be completed in class or at home.) Students will rhyme
to create a ballad. Each student will be asked to write a ballad about water
quality. Students will be shown a writing example of a ballad. (The instructor can
also choose to play a ballad for audio learners. You may want to refer students
to the water quality song on the enclosed audiotape.) Each student will be
responsible for producing one ballad. After the ballad has been written, students
will decorate the margins with related pictures or artwork. The next class period
can be devoted to the presentation of these works.
Audiovisual Fact Finder
Title of movie:
Purpose of movie:
List 10 important facts that you observed from the movie:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Did you understand the movie?
Yes
or
No
Briefly describe what you felt to be the most important concept of the movie. (Be
sure to utilize paragraph format.)
Ballad Directions
Throughout history ballads have been sung and read. A ballad is simply a story
where the last word of every other line rhymes.
Most ballads have four line stanzas of short phrases and an ABAB rhyme
scheme. Here is an example from the story “Adam of the Road.”
“The highway is the minstrel’s home.
He’s working when he’s playing.
He’s never lost if far he roam.
He wanders when he’s staying.”
A
B
A
B
Directions:
Step 1: The subject for your ballad is water quality.
Step 2: The rhyme scheme of a ballad is:
ABAB
Step 3: List pairs of rhyming words. For example: road, load or course, horse
Step 4: Write sentences about your topic that end with the rhyming words from
Step 3. For example: On a dark and dusty road,
He carried his burdensome load.
Step 5: Follow the rhyme scheme. Write two stanzas of four lines each. For
example:
On a dark and dusty road,
A
I chanced to smell a musty horse. B
He carried his burdensome load. A
Along a steady course.
B
The smelly horse it did rest,
C
While I went into town
D
To reach that place I did my best C
So I could soon sit down.
D
Step 6: Share your ballad with your classmates.
Step 7: Decorate the margins and background of the paper on which your ballad
is written. A more attractive piece can always capture a larger audience.
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