Computer- Based Lesson Plans: Women in History: Celebrating The Ordinary and Extraordinary  by Katrina Hinson

Title: Women in History: Celebrating The Ordinary and Extraordinary

Learner Level:  GED (9-12)

Pre-Instruction: 

Students will brainstorm ideas related to the questions “Name as many women as you can that you think are important and why?”, “What contributions have women made to society?” and “How have women’s roles changed over time?” We will also discuss who the students think are important women today, both on a personal level and social level. Students will write a journal entry on a woman in their personal life that has affected them in a positive way.

Students will have been taught the proper way to write an essay prior to this session.

Duration: 60 minutes

Materials: List of women who have had an impact on the world around them, that the students are NOT familiar with, and computers with Word Processing program.

Objectives: 

Primary: Objective: To develop students’ research and critical thinking skills; as well as their awareness of the role women have played in the history of not only America but the world around them; to use mouse and keyboard effectively and to learn to use the internet for research.    

Secondary:   To write a 1-page essay and give an oral presentation.

Procedure:        

Class discussion beginning with News Papers and/or Magazines (TIME/People). Have students pick an article or picture (such as a political cartoon) that depicts famous/infamous women that currently make headlines.  Students will share their findings in class and we’ll use this as a springboard to talk about what makes these women “news worthy” or memorable.

After the discussion, students will then use the Internet to learn more about any one of the women on the list provided. Students will use the Internet to research as much information about the woman they selected.

Students will need to answer the 4 W’s: Who, what, when, where and why.

Evaluation:    

Students will produce at a minimum a 1-page essay on the woman they selected.  They will also give an oral report on the woman chosen.