Sample Lesson Plans
Curriculum | Linking | Speakers | Resources | Bridges
Lesson Plan : Community Role Models in the Classroom: The Vietnam Era
| Curriculum Toolkit Outline Lesson Plan 1 Lesson Plan 2 Interview Guidelines Looking Back Cold War Research Project Vietnam War Research Project Project Rubric |
Goals and Objectives: The student will acquire information from a variety of sources and use this information for problem solving, decision making and planning (N.C. Social Studies Standard Course of Study: Purpose and Philosophy, p. 1). The student will possess civic understanding and accept their responsibilities as citizens in a democratic society (N.C. Social Studies Standard Course of Study: Overall Framework Goals, p. 3). The student will develop a mutual respect between human beings and identify situations in which social action is required (N.C. Soc. St. Standard Course of Study: Skill III and IV, pp. 21-22). The learner will evaluate the influence of ethical and moral principles on the development of our economic, legal, and political systems (ELP: Goal 10 and USH:Goal 2).
Units of Study: This lesson plan can be applied to any unit of study relating to the Vietnam era.
Length of Activity: One to two class periods plus homework (critical thinking questions plus reflective letter) for each guest speaker visit.
Level of Activity: All Levels
Instructions:
- Build a network of community speakers for your Vietnam era unit or course through parents, PTA, business, education, government, and veterans' organizations. Never has the community been more willing to contribute to our educational programs!
- Call the prospective guest speaker and discuss how he/she might be able to enrich the curriculum, as well as serve as a positive role model for your class. Assure the speaker that he/she can add a special vitality to the classroom by sharing expertise and interacting with the students. Describe your class to the speaker. Ask that he /she plan to allow approximately half of the period for student questions. Reassure him/her that you will keep the ball rolling! Set the date!
- Familiarize students with background of community speaker and his/her connection to the Vietnam era.
- Conduct a "brainstorming" session during which students share ideas for questions and discussion.
- Instruct each student to prepare five questions for homework. Collect and review student questions the following day.
- Discuss question
themes with guest speaker and /or mail questions to speaker
ahead of time.
- Return questions to each student prior to the guest speaker's visit. (Students will feel more comfortable if they can refer to their carefully prepared questions.)
- Arrange for a student to meet the speaker at the front office.
- When the class begins, introduce the community guest or, if appropriate, have a student who has prepared an introduction do so. Let the class know whether they should hold their questions until the end. Be ready to ask questions yourself if necessary.
- Assist the speaker in bringing the class to a close a few minutes before the period ends. Instruct students ahead of time that polite applause is very appropriate.
- Arrange for a student to escort the speaker back to the front office.
- As a follow up activity, have each student write a reflective thank you letter to the speaker. Be sure to mail the packet of letters to each classroom visitor. Not only do they demonstrate caring appreciation, but they often help the speaker better prepare for future visits. These guests are often willing to serve as student resources throughout the year.
- Encourage students to write articles for a classroom newsletter, the school newspaper, PTA Newsletter, and local newspaper regarding how these exciting community members have made positive contributions to our educational program. Other teachers, students, and parents will also see the benefits of inviting community role models to our classrooms.
Veteran
Bud Gross and his wife, Kathy, share their Vietnam War era
experiences with Millbrook High School students.
*Please note that a more generic lesson plan on this topic can be found at www.wcpss.net/community_in_the_classroom/.