Rhonda Elton Civil War Mini-Lessons

Mini Lesson 1 Ethical Use of Information

Class: 4th/5th Grade
Guiding Question
How can we use the resources on the internet responsibly, legally and
ethically?
AASL Standards:
1. Inquire, think critically, and gain knowledge.

1.3.1 Respect copyright/intellectual property rights of creators and

producers.
1.3.3 Follow ethical and legal guidelines in gathering and using
information
1.3.5 Use information technology responsibly
2. Draw conclusions, make informed decisions, apply knowledge to new
situations, and create new knowledge.
2.3.1 Connect understanding to the real world.
3. Share knowledge and participate ethically and productively as members of
our democratic society.
3.1.6. Use information and technology ethically and responsibly.
4. Pursue personal and aesthetic growth.
4.2.1. Display curiosity by pursuing interests through multiple
resources.
Digital Information Fluency
1. Learners ethically use digital information.
Inquiry Based Learning Principles
Performances of Understanding- Practicing the use of writing citations and
applying this knowledge allows students to perform the tasks that they learn.

Appropriate Use of Technology - Technology is used in this lesson to share ideas,

conduct research, collaborate with others, and demonstrate their
understanding of the topic.
Ethical Citizenship- Students have a chance to connect this lesson to digital
etiquette and learn how to use the Internet and online resources responsibly.

Engage, Enhance, Extend Levels

Using the different technology tools in this lesson instead of allowing it to be a
paper, pencil, and textbook lesson will engage the students. The technology,
such as the Brainpop videos and the use of Todays Meet with the students own
devices will motivate students to take part in the learning process. Using the
various technology tools to research and analyze a document and write a
citation will enhance student learning. The various technology tools used will
allow students to demonstrate their understanding of the topic. Allowing
students to communicate using Edmodo outside of the classroom will extend
their learning. This lesson is also one that will be able to use across disciplines,
and allow them to become lifelong learners.
Introduction
In order to activate prior knowledge or ascertain if the students are familiar
with the concept of plagiarism, the teacher will post the following question on
Todays Meet and urge students to use their BYOD to discuss. We will discuss
responses.
What is plagiarism?
The teacher will scan a picture that belongs to one of the students into the
computer and project it using the Smartboard. The teacher will put her name
on the picture.
Learning Activity
Using their BYOD, students will use dictionary.com to look up the official
definition of plagiarism and discuss.

Teacher will show an informational Powerpoint explaining plagiarism and

paraphrasing and teaching students how to write a citation of their source of
information.
Other information to be discussed:
*when someone writes a book, draws a picture, creates a song, or develops a
website that work belongs to them.
*if you take someone elses work, it is cheating.
*if we cannot use other peoples work or their ideas, how do we do research?
*why is it important when doing research and completing projects to know how
to use information correctly and give proper credit to the creator of the
information?
The students will use the computer lab housed in the Media Center and the
curated collection of resources to explore the topics of plagiarism,
paraphrasing, and citing sources. They will first watch the Brainpop videos on
Plagiarism, Paraphrasing, and Citing Sources. They will take each of the online
quizzes. Then they will explore the other curated resources. Finally, they will
choose an article from one of the kid-friendly search engines and cite it
correctly. They will post their citation to Edmodo. Students can look at each
others citations and give feedback.
Curated Resources
http://www.symbaloo.com/mix/ethicaluse
Assessment
The online review quizzes will inform the teacher quickly which students
understand the concept of plagiarism. Posting the citations will allow students
to collaborate with each other. The online quizzes show recall and
understanding of the topic from Blooms Taxonomy. Creating a citation from an
article allows the students to implement what they have learned, which is the
applying stage of Blooms Taxonomy.

Mini-Lesson 2 Analyzing the Major People of the Civil War

Class: 4th/5th Grade
Guiding Question
What characteristics did the leaders of the Civil War possess which made them
great and effective leaders?
Content Area Standards
SS5H1- The student will explain the causes, major events, and consequences of
the Civil War.
D. Describe the roles of Abraham Lincoln, Robert E. Lee, Ulysses S.
Grant, Jefferson Davis, and Thomas Stonewall Jackson.
AASL Standards
1. Inquire, think critically, and gain knowledge.
1.1.2. Use prior and background knowledge as context for new learning.

1.2.3. Develop and refine a range of questions to frame the search for
new understanding.
1.1.4. Find, evaluate, and select appropriate sources to answer
questions.
2. Draw conclusions, make informed decisions, apply knowledge to new
situations, and create new knowledge.
2.1.2. Organize knowledge so that it is useful.
2.1.4. Use technology and other information tools to analyze and organize
information.
2.2.3 Employ a critical stance in drawing conclusions by demonstrating
that the pattern of evidence leads to a decision or conclusion.
2.3.1 Connect understanding to the real world.
3. Share knowledge and participate ethically and productively as members
of our democratic society.
3.1.1. Conclude an inquiry based research process by sharing new
understandings and reflecting on the learning.
4. Pursue personal and aesthetic growth.
4.3.1. Participate in the social exchange of ideas, both electronically and
inn person.

Digital Information Fluency

1. Learners effectively and efficiently select digital collections based on
their characteristics.
2. Learners ethically use digital information.
3. Learners evaluate the quality of a search result to determine its
usefulness in the search process.
Inquiry Based Learning Principles
Deep Understanding The research that the students accomplish through this
project will enable them to not only recall facts about each major person in the
Civil War and which side he represented, but also analyze the characteristics of

each person that contributed to him being a great leader. They must also
supply evidence to support their conclusions, which is a higher level of
thinking.
Appropriate Use of Technology Technology is used in this lesson to share
ideas, research people, collaborate with others, and demonstrate their
understanding of the topic.
Student Success Giving students the option of which Web 2.0 tool to use fo
their creation will help ensure their success on this project.
Engage, Enhance, Extend Levels
Using the different technology tools in this lesson instead of allowing it to be a
paper, pencil, and textbook lesson will engage the students. The technology will
motivate students to take part in the learning process. Using the various
websites to research and gather information will enhance student learning. The
various technology tools used will allow students to demonstrate their
understanding of the topic. Allowing students to communicate using Edmodo
outside of the classroom will extend their learning.
Introduction
In order to activate prior knowledge, the following question will be posted on
Todays Meet for discussion. Students will be urged to use their BYOD to answer
and discuss. We will discuss the responses as a whole group activity.
Who were the major people in the Civil War, and what side did they represent?
The students will write a question that they would like to find the answer to
during this lesson. This will guide their learning and make it more authentic.
Learning Activity
The teacher will introduce the guiding question for todays class. Students will
be asked to choose one of the major people from the Civil War to research. The
assignment is to analyze what qualities or characteristics of the leader made
him effective.

The students will use the computer lab housed in the Media Center for their
research. They will use any of the curated resources to help them find
information about their leader. They will use a mind mapping graphic organizer
on Bubbl.us to record the traits or characteristics that they feel made their
person an effective leader. They must also include examples/evidence to
support their beliefs.
Curated Resources for Research
http://www.symbaloo.com/mix/leadersofthecivilwar
After their research is completed, students will use Edmodo to post the name of
the leader they chose, and the characteristics and evidence they gathered to
support their argument that the leader was effective. Students can use
Edmodo to responsibly respond to other classmates concerning their results.
Using a Web 2.o presentation tool such as Glogster, Prezi, or Picktochart,
students will create an online poster depicting their leader. They may also
create a virtual museum on Museum Box or a mini- museum related to their
leader. Whichever tool they use, they will include characteristics and evidence
they collected to support their argument. They will also create a list of sources
that they used and give proper credit as discussed in lesson one.
Assessment
This activity and assessment allows the student to make judgments based on
research and design a project to show an understanding of new concepts.
These represent the top two levels of Blooms Taxonomy.

Mini-Lesson 3 Analyzing the Technology of the Civil War

Class: 4th/5th Grade
Guiding Question

Why is the Civil War considered to be the first modern war?

Content Area Standards
SS5H1- The student will explain the causes, major events, and consequences of
the Civil War.
AASL Standards
1. Inquire, think critically, and gain knowledge.
1.1.2. Use prior and background knowledge as context for new learning.
1.2.3. Develop and refine a range of questions to frame the search for
new understanding.
1.1.4. Find, evaluate, and select appropriate sources to answer
questions.
2. Draw conclusions, make informed decisions, apply knowledge to new
situations, and create new knowledge.
2.1.2. Organize knowledge so that it is useful.
2.1.4. Use technology and other information tools to analyze and
organize information.
2.2.3 Employ a critical stance in drawing conclusions by demonstrating
that the pattern of evidence leads to a decision or conclusion.
2.3.1 Connect understanding to the real world.
3. Share knowledge and participate ethically and productively as members of
our democratic society.
3.1.1. Conclude an inquiry based research process by sharing new
understandings and reflecting on the learning.
4. Pursue personal and aesthetic growth.
4.3.1. Participate in the social exchange of ideas, both electronically and
in person.
Digital Information Fluency
1. Learners effectively and efficiently select digital collections based on their
characteristics.
2. Learners ethically use digital information.
3. Learners evaluate the quality of a search result to determine its usefulness
in the search process.

Inquiry Based Learning Principles

Authenticity- The students will write their own question to guide their research.
Setting individual goals for learning will help make the learning process more
authentic.
Deep Understanding The research that the students accomplish through this
project will enable them to not only recall facts about the technology that was
used in the Civil War, but also analyze the effects that the technology had on
the war effort. Also, making a claim and defending it with evidence makes uses
higher order thinking skills.
Appropriate Use of Technology Technology is used in this lesson to share
ideas, research, collaborate with others, and demonstrate their understanding
of the topic.
Engage, Enhance, Extend Levels
Using the different technology tools in this lesson instead of allowing it to be a
paper, pencil, and textbook lesson will engage the students. The technology will
motivate students to take part in the learning process. Using the various
websites to research and gather information will enhance student learning. The
various technology tools used will allow students to demonstrate their
understanding of the topic. Allowing students to communicate using Edmodo
outside of the classroom will extend their learning.
Introduction
In order to activate prior knowledge, the following question will be posted on
Todays Meet for discussion. Students will be urged to use their BYOD to answer
and discuss. We will discuss the responses as a whole group activity.
What type of technology was used during the Civil War?
Students will write a question that they would like to find the answer to during
this activity. This question will guide their learning and make it more
authentic.
Learning Activity

The teacher will introduce the guiding lesson for todays class. Students will be
presented with the task of using the collection of curated resources to research
the technology that was used during the Civil War.
The students will use the computer lab housed in the Media Center for their
research. They will read, examine and evaluate the information concerning the
new technology that was used during the Civil War. After researching, they will
determine which piece of technology they believe had the greatest impact on
the war. They must be able to state examples and give evidence to support their
claims.
Curated Resources for Research
http://www.symbaloo.com/mix/civilwartechnology
After completing their research, students will use Edmodo to post the
technology they researched and their findings. They will post their argument as
to what effect the technology had on the war. Using Edmodo, students can
respond in a responsible manner to their classmates.
The class will put together a presentation highlighting the technology used in
the Civil War. Each student will create a slide as part of a class Google
Presentation. Each slide should name the technology researched and the
impact the technology had on the war effort. Proper sources/citations should
be included as learned in lesson one.
Assessment
This activity and assessment allows the student to evaluate and make
judgments based on research and design a project to show an understanding of
new concepts. Again, these are the top two levels of Blooms Taxonomy.