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

Tracing the Titanic tragedy

Students will learn about the Titanic disaster as a historical event by reading informative articles and books and by use of the Internet. They will then produce a database of passengers with information about them and use the database to analyze the information.

A lesson plan for grades 6–7 Information Skills and Social Studies

By Elizabeth Harren

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Learning outcomes

Students will research information about the Titanic disaster and use it to create a database of information about its passengers.

Teacher planning

Time required for lesson

5 hours

Materials/resources

Technology resources

Computers with internet access and database software are needed.

Pre-activities

Students should have some previous knowledge of databases, including sorting and searching techniques. They should also know how to complete a search on the internet.

Activities

  1. The teacher will introduce the unit with a brainstorming session asking students what they already know about the Titanic. These will be listed on the board or chart paper.
  2. Students will increase their interest by learning some general information from the suggested reading materials and by using the following websites: Encyclopedia Titanica, Britannica Online’s Titanic Information Article and any other Titanic resources.
  3. Students will then use the Passenger List website to focus in on the Titanic’s passengers.Using the research questions (see attachment) students will decide on appropriate fields (categories) for the database, such as name, nationality, age, etc.
  4. The teacher will divide an alphabetical passenger list into 4 equal groups.
  5. Each group of students will work cooperatively to gather information on 20 of their assigned passengers.
  6. After lists are completed, students will enter information into a class database.
  7. Once the database is complete, the students will be given questions to answer using searching and sorting techniques (see attachment).

Assessment

  • Students will complete cooperative group work on assigned passengers.
  • Students will answer database questions with 80% accuracy.Students will exhibit interest and excitement in the topic and use of the Internet.

North Carolina curriculum alignment

Computer Technology Skills (2005)

Grade 6

  • Goal 1: The learner will understand important issues of a technology-based society and will exhibit ethical behavior in the use of computer and other technologies.
    • Objective 1.07: Cite sources of information used in content area databases. Strand - Database

Social Studies (2003)

Grade 6

  • Goal 1: The learner will use the five themes of geography and geographic tools to answer geographic questions and analyze geographic concepts.
    • Objective 1.01: Create maps, charts, graphs, databases, and models as tools to illustrate information about different people, places and regions in South America and Europe.
    • Objective 1.02: Generate, interpret, and manipulate information from tools such as maps, globes,charts, graphs, databases, and models to pose and answer questions about space and place, environment and society, and spatial dynamics and connections.

  • North Carolina Essential Standards

    • Information and Technology Skills (2010)

      • Grade 6

        • 6.TT.1 Use technology and other resources for the purpose of accessing, organizing, and sharing information. 6.TT.1.1 Select appropriate technology tools to gather data and information (e.g., Web-based resources, e-books, online communication tools, etc.)....

      • Grade 7

        • 7.TT.1 Use technology and other resources for assigned tasks. 7.TT.1.1 Use appropriate technology tools and other resources to access information. 7.TT.1.2 Use appropriate technology tools and other resources to organize information (e.g. graphic organizers,...