Building Vietnam War scavenger hunts through web-based inquiry
http://www.readwritethink.org/lessons/lesson_view.asp?id=821
A lesson plan for grades 9–12 Computer/Technology Skills, English Language Arts, and Social Studies
This lesson uses fiction or nonfiction books on the Vietnam War as a catalyst for research on how the war affected different groups of people. Once small groups are formed based on student interest, the teacher models how to write effective questions and the class brainstorms questions that could be asked for the scavenger hunt. Students use website evaluation forms to determine the appropriateness of the chosen website for answering their specific questions. After completing research, students compose a scavenger hunt by constructing a series of questions to answer “What was the effect of the Vietnam War on the particular group?” Student groups then share their scavenger hunts with one another and reflect on how their research relates to the books they have read. Culminating activities in this lesson include a class discussion about the Vietnam War, writing journal entries, and completing a student self-reflection. This lesson plan provides a project outline, a list of books that can be used, links to Vietnam War websites, and all the resources necessary to conduct a scavenger hunt.
North Carolina Curriculum Alignment
Computer Technology Skills (2005)
Grade 9–12
- Goal 3: The learner will use a variety of technologies to access, analyze, interpret, synthesize, apply, and communicate information.
- Objective 3.02: Use electronic resources for research.
- Goal 3: The learner will use a variety of technologies to access, analyze, interpret, synthesize, apply, and communicate information.
- Objective 3.03: Use electronic resources for research.
English Language Arts (2004)
Grade 9
- Goal 4: The learner will create and use standards to critique communication.
- Objective 4.01: Evaluate the effectiveness of communication by:
- examining the use of strategies in a presentation/product.
- applying a set of predetermined standards.
- creating an additional set of standards and applying them to the presentation/product.
- comparing effective strategies used in different presentations/products.
- Objective 4.01: Evaluate the effectiveness of communication by:
Grade 10
- Goal 4: The learner will critically interpret and evaluate experiences, literature, language, and ideas.
- Objective 4.01: Interpret a real-world event in a way that:
- makes generalizations about the event supported by specific references.
- reflects on observation and shows how the event affected the current viewpoint.
- distinguishes fact from fiction and recognizes personal bias.
- Objective 4.04: Evaluate the information, explanations, or ideas of others by:
- identifying clear, reasonable criteria for evaluation.
- applying those criteria using reasoning and substantiation.
- Objective 4.01: Interpret a real-world event in a way that:
Social Studies (2003)
Grade 11–12 — United States History
- Goal 11: Recovery, Prosperity, and Turmoil (1945-1980) - The learner will trace economic, political, and social developments and assess their significance for the lives of Americans during this time period.
- Objective 11.04: Identify the causes of United States' involvement in Vietnam and examine how this involvement affected society.
