Alison Coltrane
Thomas Harrison Middle School
Social Studies, Grade 5
Overview: After studying propaganda and learning about the experiences of children who moved to the Great Plains in the 1870’s via the Houghton Mifflin selection Pioneer Girl, students will create an advertisement for a new/unique product, service or event utilizing one of the propaganda forms learned. The second project will be a letter written “back home” telling family members of their experience thus far in their settling of the Great Plains during the Homestead Act of 1862.
Objectives: Students will create two projects—one a postcard writing a letter home to their families. The other project will be a propaganda project using SonicPics Lite. They will draw their advertisement and then record their voice trying to convince their audience to move out Midwest.
SOL: 5.3, 5.4, 5.5, 5.8
Time Required to Complete Lesson: 2—90 minute class periods
Technology Used: iPads, Apps: Bill Atkinson PhotoCard, SonicPics Lite
Procedure: Students will read the story “Pioneer Girl” and the teacher will have discussed what propaganda is and its purpose. There will be a discussion of propaganda from the story and other propaganda that occurs in the daily lives of students. Students will identify various techniques used in magazines to reinforce their understanding. The ITRT will show the students how to use the iPad and the applications needed to create a postcard and a poster of propaganda that will be imported into the SonicPics Lite so they can record their voices
Assessment: Students will be assessed on their letter and their propaganda project using rubrics.
Explain how the iPads will enhance student learning. What value do they bring to the lesson? Students will be really excited to use an iPad for this lesson. They have written letters and created posters, but using a new technology will help them become engaged in their learning. The exposure to new technology will enhance their learning experience.