Champaign County Education from 1890-1940:

A Comparison

2010 Fellowship, Champaign County Archives

Melissa Luffman

 

 

To download this lesson in PDF format, click here.

 

Lesson 4:  Culminating Activity and Showcase

Students will complete a reflection essay and a visual presentation about education in the early twentieth century. Students will write about life and school from that time period and discuss specific examples of triumphs and hardships, while focusing on making personal connections to their own lives and families. Students will complete the process through brainstorming, seed writing, drafting, editing, and publishing. The visual presentation medium will be the studentÕs choice.  Showcase the displays for others to view.

 

        Teacher Prep

á      Print and copy the Venn Diagram found at the following website: http://www.eduplace.com/graphicorganizer/pdf/venn.pdf

á      Refer to focus words:

o   clothing, school, books, supplies, activities, teacher, students.

 

á      Provide art materials for the visual project.

 

á      Print out ISAT writing scoring rubric found on the ISBE website: http://www.isbe.state.il.us/assessment/pdfs/Grade_3_Expository_Rubric.pdf

 

        Classroom Activities:

á      Review with students all the similarities and differences between the two eras: 1895-1940 and today.

á      Using the Venn diagram, students in groups of 3-4 should dedicate one circle for each of the following eras: 1890 -1940 and today.

á      When students are finished come back together as a class and go over the Venn Diagrams as a group.

á      Students should then write a reflection paper about being a student during the 1895-140 time period. They should list examples, make personal connections, and identify the main points that interested them most about that time period. This may include a picture and sentence about what was learned for some students, and a three page essay for others. Differentiate as needed to meet the individual needs of each student while requiring the same learning experience. Students should use their folder system of documents and notes to develop the essay.

á      Students will then construct a visual project to accompany their reflection paper. Examples may include posters, small books, advertisements, scrapbook, fashion design or apparel replicas, and a diorama. Students will need significant amount of time to compete these activities.

á      After the reflection paper is published and the visual project is complete, present a showcase of their displays for others to view and learn.  There will be several writings and products to include for display from the unit.