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K–12 teaching and learning · from the UNC School of Education

Fleas and the Black Death

http://www.nationalgeographic.com/xpeditions/lessons/17/g68/blackdeath.html

A lesson plan for grade 6 Science and Social Studies

Provider: National Geographic


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In this Xpeditions lesson, students explore the role of fleas, a well-known parasite, in the European Black Death of the 14th century. Activities in this lesson engage student in whole class discussion, online research, and writing assignments.

Students will:

  • define the word “parasite”;
  • see an example of a parasite life cycle on the web, and explain this process from the parasite’s point of view;
  • research and answer questions about the flea’s role in transmitting the Black Death; and
  • create posters or multimedia presentations showing the flea’s role in transmitting the Black Death.

Xpeditions provides detailed directions for completing the lesson, suggestions for assessment and extension activities, discussion questions, and links to helpful web resources.

North Carolina Curriculum Alignment

Science (2005)

Grade 6

  • Goal 1: The learner will design and conduct investigations to demonstrate an understanding of scientific inquiry.
    • Objective 1.01: Identify and create questions and hypotheses that can be answered through scientific investigations.
    • Objective 1.05: Analyze evidence to:
      • Explain observations.
      • Make inferences and predictions.
      • Develop the relationship between evidence and explanation.
    • Objective 1.08: Use oral and written language to:
      • Communicate findings.
      • Defend conclusions of scientific investigations.
    • Objective 1.09: Use technologies and information systems to:
      • Research.
      • Gather and analyze data
      • Visualize data.
      • Disseminate findings to others.
    • Objective 1.10: Analyze and evaluate information from a scientifically literate viewpoint by reading, hearing, and/or viewing:
      • Scientific text.
      • Articles.
      • Events in the popular press.

Social Studies (2003)

Grade 6

  • Goal 4: The learner will identify significant patterns in the movement of people, goods and ideas over time and place in South America and Europe.
    • Objective 4.01: Describe the patterns of and motives for the migrations of people, and evaluate their impact on the political, economic, and social development of selected societies and regions.
  • Goal 7: The learner will assess connections between historical events and contemporary issues.
    • Objective 7.01: Identify historical events such as invasions, conquests, and migrations and evaluate their relationship to current issues.