Integrating Computer Technology into the Classroom Final Activity

 

Title:                    Vietnam War

 

Learner Level:    Middle/high school level    

                     

Pre-Instruction:   Basic introduction to topic as well as basic computer skills

                          

Duration:              1 hour per class (2 Xs week) over a three week period       

              

Materials: Books: 

                           Park’s Quest by Katherine Patterson

                           Born on the Fourth of July by Ron Kovic

                           Steck-Vaughn: World Geography and You book 2 pages 88-95

                           Steck-Vaughn: America’s Story   pages 110-115

                           Fearon/Janus: African Americans in U.S. history  pages 66-69 & map from page 75

                            Scott-Foresman: Reading American History  page 137

                            Of Quiet Courage: Vietnam poetry

 

                   Videos:

                            Good Morning, Vietnam

                            The Killing Fields

                           The Guns of Navarone

 

Computer Lab:

 

                   Using Google.com type “Vietnam War” in search box, go to  www.vietnampix.com/-3k  print off the timeline

                   Go to www.benningtonbanner.com  and find an article about the Vietnam Moving Wall: write a short paragraph about

                   the wall’s creation and purpose                       

 

Objectives:

1.)    After reading Park’s Quest and Born n the Fourth of July, the student will be able to discuss the similarities/differences between this work of fiction and non- fiction.

2.)    Upon completion of reading/discussing, the student will be able to analyze several poems written by Vietnamese authors.

3.)    The student will know the difference between a country and a continent and be able to find Vietnam on a world map.

4.)    The student will know the short/long term impact on humans/animals and the environment after using chemicals during a war.

5.)    The student will be able to determine the long and short term effect on veterans, mentally and physically. (ie. The reception a veteran might receive after returning home)

6.)    The student will be able to name at least 3 countries located near Vietnam.

7.)    The student will have a general knowledge of land make-up (ie. Mountains, rivers, etc.), climate and agriculture/industry of Southeast Asia.

8.)    The student will know the difference between a circle/bar/line graph.

9.)    The student will be able to read/create a time line.

10.) The student will become familiar with the various modes of communication (ie. written, visual and verbal).

11.)  The student will become familiar with various newspaper terminology (ie. Masthead, ears, edition, etc.).

12.)  The student will have a better understanding of the cultural differences between Vietnam and the U.S. 

 

Procedure:   

 

1.)    Instructor will have student complete “mapping” of what they now know about Vietnam.

2.)    Complete GETTING TO KNOW SOUTH & SOUTHEAST ASIA, including exercises in true/false, finding the main idea and longitude & latitude

3.)    Complete map exercise pages 6-10 & 6-11

4.)    Read Park’s Quest w/students completing journal entry before the end of each class

5.)    Read article WAR IN VIETNAM, including exercises in recalling facts, sequencing, cause & effect, reading a bar graph

6.)    Watch World War II movie (pay attention to background music)

7.)    Read article AFRICAN AMERICANS IN THE VIETNAM WAR, including exercises in using a time line, making predictions, understanding what you have read

8.)    Introduce guest speaker (a Vietnam vet from local organization)

9.)    Watch Good Morning Vietnam (pay attention to background music)

10.)  After listening to the background music of the 2 movies, create a picture, cartoon, etc.

11.)  Create a time line

12.)  Introduce newspaper exercises

13.)  Select a picture & write an article

14.)  Read article WHEN JOHNNY COMES MARCHING HOME

15.)  Recap era with article THE VIETNAM WAR AND AFTER

16.)   Read Born on the Fourth of July

17.)   COMPUTER skills need to be utilized/strengthened on ALL writing & research activities

  

Activities:

 

1.)    compose a poem around theme

2.)    create a portfolio of materials written/collected including journal entries

3.)    debate important issues surrounding U.S. Involvement in Vietnam and the relationship to current happenings in Iraq

4.)    create a time line

5.)    select a picture of an event and write a newspaper article about the picture

6.)    investigate the culture of Vietnam and note similarities/differences of Vietnam & U.S. (ie. Currency, family life, prostitution, etc.)

7.)    examine distance/physical make-up U.S. & Vietnam

8.)    create a bar/line/circle graph after examining various statistics (ie. Infant mortality, education, etc.)

9.)    simulate a “shopping” trip using Vietnam currency-compare to U.S. dollars

10.)      listen to music w/eyes closed-examine feelings music initiated in art form (ie. Colored pencils/ markers/paints to draw a picture

  

Evaluation:

Student evaluation will take place in the form of “mapping”. Students will be asked to map what they know about Vietnam BEFORE the curriculum is begun, and then again as a final piece of the curriculum. Student journals/portfolios will also be used as an evaluation of the curriculum. Increased computer knowledge will be documented. The questions attached to the criteria for developing curriculum will serve as the final evaluation.