Lesson Title: Internet Research on Abraham Lincoln

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

Grade Level: 6^th Grade

Subject: Computers

Time Frame: 40 minutes

Number of Students: 20

Rationale

Understanding the Goal of the Lesson:

1. Students will develop skills using the computer to research.
2. Students will develop an understanding about the life and accomplishments of our 16^th President, Abraham Lincoln, during his time at New Salem.

Primary Source Understanding Goal:

Primary source documents such as photos and first hand accounts or stories might help to bring the life and accomplishments of Lincoln to life during his time at New Salem.

IL Standards – Essential Knowledge and Skills:

Social Studies

Events, Trends and History

State Goal 16: Understand events, trends, individual movements shaping the history of Illinois, the United States and other nations.

A.: Apply the skills of historical analysis and interpretation

16.A.2c:Ask questions and seek answers by collecting and data from historic documents, images and other literary and non-literary sources.

D.  Understand Illinois, United States and world social history.

16.D.3a (US)  Describe characteristics of different kinds of communities in various sections of America during the colonial/frontier periods and the 19th century.

NETS 2007 Standards

3. Research and Information Fluency

Students apply digital tools to gather, evaluate, and use information.

Students:

b.   locate, organize, analyze, evaluate, synthesize, and ethically use information from a variety of sources and media.

Materials:

      Computer, Internet, Activity #2 handout, pencil

Resources:

      Lincoln’s New Salem web site www.lincolnsnewsalem.com

Background Information:

      No prior knowledge needed for this lesson.

Preparation of Learning Environment:

The students will explore as a class the Lincoln’s New Salem web site. Then students will work independently to complete the activity handout.

Lesson Focus: Motivation and Prior Knowledge

• Engages students in the Abraham Lincoln topic by using New Salem web site.
• Engages students by completing the activity handout.

Instructional Plan:

Instructional Detail

·         Ask students what they know about Lincoln.

·         Students will share prior knowledge about Lincoln.

Explanation and Practice:

·         Lincoln’s New Salem web site exploration

·         Look up information pertaining to New Salem to complete activity handout.

Demonstration:

·         Demonstrate how to locate the Virtual Tour on the Lincoln’s New Salem web site.

Activity:

1.      Pass out activity handout and discuss requirements and instructions.

2.      Specify that they will have 30 minutes to do the research and complete the handout.

3.      Students will then proceed in doing the New Salem research and completing their handout.

4.      When finished, students will share the information they found.

Modification:

Individual help will be given if necessary.

Extension Activities:

Students can choose another activity sheet.

Closure:

To close the unit on Lincoln, students may share with the class what they have learned.

Student Assessment:

The activity handout will include 20 fill in the blank statements (some statements include more than one blank). Each blank is worth 1 point for a total of 30 possible points.