Lesson Plan 55 Min

Richard Williams and Jodi Berquam

October 21, 2015
World History Grade 10
Understanding Modernized Countries
Activity Objective
Students will be able to understand which countries are considered modern countries by
reviewing information from various resources.
College and Career Ready Standards: SSHS-S2C9-05
Strand 2: World History
Concept 9: Contemporary World
PO 5. Connect current events with historical events and issues using information from class
discussions and various resources (e.g., newspapers, magazines, television, Internet, books,
maps).
Anticipatory Set:
Think back to the Industrial Revolution last year in U.S History. Write down what the United
States did to became a modern country.
Go over characteristics by calling on students randomly with popsicle sticks using Ask-PauseCall.
Today we are going to learn the attributes and define a modernizing.
Information
The following countries are by the United Nations Development Programme the top 5
modernized countries:
5. United States
4. Netherlands
3. Switzerland
2. Australia

1. Norway
Did your list match?
Does anyone know why these countries are considered the top 5?
They are considered top 5 because they have the Highest Human Development Index (HDI) and
Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
What are HDI and GDP?
Please write as I read 3 minutes
Human Development Index (HDI) is a summary measure of average achievement in key
dimensions of human development: a long and healthy life, being knowledgeable and have a
decent standard of living. The HDI is the geometric mean of normalized indices for each of the
three dimensions
Gross domestic product (GDP) is the monetary value of all the finished goods and services
produced within a country's borders in a specific time period. Though GDP is usually calculated
on an annual basis, it can be calculated on a quarterly basis as well. GDP includes all private and
public consumption, government outlays, investments and exports minus imports that occur
within a defined territory. Put simply, GDP is a broad measurement of a nations overall
economic activity.
~ Gross Domestic Product does not indicate a good distribution of wealth but is still a strong
aspect of modernizing. However, a high GDP can still gain you a low HDI depending on your
population. China has the highest GDP but an HDI of .719.
The GDP and HDI help base the decision for whether or not a country is considered modern or
developed.
Think, Pair, Share
In groups of two and possible one group of three depending on attendance, using elbow partners
assigned by teacher, the students will take 30 seconds to write down on a piece of paper what
they have learned about modern countries during this lesson. The students will then take 2
minutes to take turns sharing their answers with their partners and constructively supporting each
other. We will then go over a few answers as a class using thumbs up, thumbs down. The student
with the largest shoe size will go first.
Check for understanding:
We will clarify the students understand what the activity requires by asking questions using askpause-call after picking popsicle sticks.

Who are your partners?

What are you going to write down?
How long do you have to write down your answer?
Who will share first?
After sharing what will your partner do?
Please summarize what we are going to do.
*Information:
1.

Give an overview of the lesson information to come, without telling them the concept
they will be defining. (3 minutes)
a.

We already discussing HDI today. Many of you have heard of

modernizing, but may not have a full understanding of how HDI effects
modernizing. So, I am going to show you different pictures of
countries and
you will guess if the picture represents all the critical attributes
associated with
high HDI or not. With your elbow partner define
Modernizing and the attributes
of HDI. I will give you further examples to
challenge your definition.
2.

Playing the Prezi Presentation: (3 minutes)

a.

I am going to play a Prezi Presentation and Id like you all to think to

yourselves, does that picture represent a modernizing and the attributes.

b.

Play the Prezi: https://prezi.com/9nulvt3mg61e/untitled-prezi/ up to HDI

definition and attributes.

Check for understanding:

We will clarify the students understand what the activity requires by asking questions using askpause-call.
How will groups be formed?
What are you going to watch?
*Information:
3.

Ask the students, How might these pictures represent a modernized country? (2
minutes)

a.

From the pictures they should be able to guess Human Development Index
critical attributes. However, if they dont guess HDI attributes, guide them
the terms.

b.

Once they guess the attributes, ask them to think about what this concept:
Modernized means.

to

4.

5.

Go back to each picture again and have the students define Modernized based off of the
given examples. (2 minutes)
a.

Have the students work in their groups (elbow partners).

b.

They should view all three examples and discuss the important similarities
between the examples.

c.

They should then use those similarities to define Modernizing within their
groups.

Define Modernizing as a class. (5 minutes)

a.

group
one

Bring the class together and ask each group to share what the important
similarities between the examples were. Select a spokesman for each
and make sure each group participates. Students should come up at least
critical attribute:
i. Long healthy life
ii. Being knowledgeable
iii. Decent standard of living
iv. high GDP

b.

Then ask the students to share the definitions their groups came up with.

c.

Write out the definitions on the board.

d.

Have the class come to an agreement on the definition.

e.

Once the class has agreed, explain to them that you are going to have them
check their definition with three new examples.

Check for understanding:

We will clarify the students understand what the activity requires by asking questions using askpause-call.

Who will select spokesman?

How many attributes should each student come up with?
*Information:
6.

7.

8.

Move to second set of examples on Prezi.

(2 minutes)

a.

Have the students work in their groups.

b.

They should again view all three examples and discuss as a small group
whether or not the examples represent HDI.

Discuss the examples as a class. (6 minutes)

a.

Bring the class together.

b.

Ask about each example individually, whether or not it represents HDI or not.

c.

Ask them why or why not.

d.

Allow for debate on the examples.

e.

Ask the students if this definition is strong or if it should be changed.

Write the final definition that the class comes up with on the board. (1 minute)
a.

This should be the definition the students create.

b.

Guide them to find this definition, but do not give the definition to them.

Check for understanding:

We will clarify the students understand what the activity requires by asking questions using askpause-call.
How long do we have to discuss the examples?
Who will write the classes definition on the board?
*Information:
9.

Ask the students, Was this an easy concept to define or was it a bit challenging? (3
minutes)
a.

Explain to them that this is a concept that is difficult to define just by viewing
examples of societies.

b.
10.

Show the official definition of Modernizing by Merriam-Webster on Prezi.

Ask if it aligns with the definition that the class developed.

Explain where we will be headed with this new lesson and how this concept will play a
role. (3 minutes)
a.

We are going to be getting into a new unit that will give us a strong idea of
what it takes to be a modernized nation. This concept of HDI gives society
measuring stick that helps countries develop into modern nations.

b.

So we will be looking at modernizing and the global market implications

that this has for us today, and more importantly for all of you in the

future.
c.

Therefore, this concept of Modernizing is something that is important for each

of you individually to understand and determine your own definition.
Because this
concept will help you determine the best course of action for assigned
countries to
develop.
d.
11.

So, think about your definitions. We will touch base on this concept frequently
throughout the lesson to come.

The Prezi also will be used with next lesson.

Check for understanding:

We will clarify the students understand what the activity requires by asking questions using askpause-call.
Who will explain where we are headed with the new lesson?
Are we done with the Prezi Presentation after this lesson?
Extended (Independent) Practice:
The select one of the following countries to write a short reflection breakdown of the
modernization stage using the http://hdr.undp.org/en/countries website and other outside sources
and turned in at the beginning of the class tomorrow.
1.

Brazil

2.

China

3.

India

4.

South Africa

Closure:
The teacher will name a country that may or may not be considered modern. The students will
indicate whether or not they believe it to be modern by giving thumbs up or thumbs down We
will then look around the classroom to ensure that each student has the correct answer.
Brazil: .744
Finland: .879
Argentina: .808
Niger: .337
Is China considered a modern country?
Materials and Resources:
PowerPoint Presentation
Pencils
Paper
Popsicle sticks
Prezi Presentation
Assessment:
I. Answer the following Multiple Choice Questions.
1. GDP stands for:
a. Great Domestic People b. Gross Diagram Presentation c. Gross Domestic
Product
2. HDI stands for:
a. Human Depressive Issues b. Human Development Index c. Human Domestic
Index
II. Please fill in the blanks using the correct word from the word bank.
Word Bank:
United Nations

HDI

Modern Country

GDP

GNP

Developing Country United States World Bank

IMF

INXS

The United States is considered a __3__ because it has a high __4__, which indicates a strong
economy, and a high __5__, which includes the standard of living. The United States is given
this a top 5 ranking by the __6__ because of the combination of the two indicators.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Please answer True or False
7. GDP represents the monetary value of some goods and services produced within a continents
geographic boarders over a general period of time _____
8. HDI is a summary measure of average achievement in key dimensions of human development
_____
Links for Research:
http://hdr.undp.org/en/countries
http://www.investopedia.com/terms/g/gdp.asp
http://prezi.com/9nulvt3mg61e/?utm_campaign=share&utm_medium=copy&rc=ex0share
Modernize. (n.d.). Retrieved October 21, 2015, from http://www.merriamwebster.com/dictionary/modernize