Subject: Civics
1. Topic-
Civil Rights Unit
 
2. Content-
Mount Rushmore Project
 
3. Objectives-
SS.6"�8.H.4
Essential Concept and/or Skill: Understand the role of individuals and groups within a society as promoters of change or the status quo.
- Understand that specific individuals and the values those individuals held had an impact on history.
- Understand significant events and people, including women and minorities, in the major eras of history.
SS.6"�8.PSCL.1
Essential Concept and/or Skill: Understand the rights and responsibilities of each citizen and demonstrate the value of lifelong civic action.
- Understand rights, roles and status of the individual in relation to the general welfare.
- Understand issues regarding personal, political, and economic rights.
- Understand participation in civic and political life can help bring about the attainment of individual and public goals.
- Understand the functions of political leadership and why leadership is a vital necessity in a democracy.
- Understand the importance of voluntarism as a characteristic of American society.

 
4. Materials and Aids-
Textbooks
Biography books from school library and AEA
Computer
 
5. Procedures/Methods-

A. Introduction-

Show picture of Mount Rushmore
Ask what it is
Ask who is on it
Ask why they were chosen
 

B. Development-

Working with partner, discuss the qualities you think good leaders or role models possess. What qualities would someone need to have to be worthy of being on a monument like Mount Rushmore? One of you can be the recorder and one can be the speaker when time to share with the group.
 

C. Practice-

Class discussion on these qualities - write them on the board - have each group give 1 or 2 examples.
Now let's brainstorm and see if we can name some people we think would be worthy of being on a monument like Mount Rushmore. Get at least 10-12 examples. Discuss these - what they have in common, etc.
 

D. Independent Practice-

Read top of assignment. Using the computer, textbooks, library books, or books I have checked out from the AEA, please choose the 4 people you would put on your own Mount Rushmore and complete the information about each of them. You will use this to complete the second phase of this project. Go over my example with them. Your goal for today is to get at least one of your choices done. That way if you are not sure about the information I am requiring we can talk about it.
 

E. Accommodations (Differentiated Instruction)-

Reduce requirement to only 2 choices and/or work in partners.
Challenge (done in second phase)
 

F. Checking for understanding-

Does anyone have any questions or need clarification on the expectations for this project?

Is anyone willing to share one of their choices and tell us why you made that choice?

 

G. Closure-

Okay, we need to wrap it up. Remember, you will have the next two class periods to do your research. You will probably need to do a little reading outside of class or maybe even discuss this with your parents or other teachers to see who they think might be good choices.
 
6. Evaluation-
Walk around and observe and talk to students to check for progress. Encourage thinking outside the box.
 

This Lesson Plan is available at (www.teacherjet.com)