8-B-1+Rob+Crawley

Introduction
My final project takes a student on a step-by-step journey through primary sources to discover the impact of fairs on the people who visit them. The project focuses on our local fair (the "Sandwich Fair") and the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago.

Lesson Plan
- How do fairs impact the people who visit them and the communities around them?
 * Course:** American History (1877-Present)
 * Grade Level:** 8th
 * Unit:** Special Research Unit
 * Essential question(s):**

1. Students will analyze primary sources from a variety of locations. 2. Students will gain experience working with primary source documents.
 * Objective(s):**
 * Materials:**
 * PowerPoint presentation
 * class-set of computers with Internet access
 * NARA map worksheets
 * NARA photo worksheets
 * NARA video worksheets
 * Venn Diagram worksheets
 * KWL worksheets
 * loose-leaf paper

- Students will view a presentation about the history of the city of Chicago, IL. - The class will have a brief description about the upcoming Sandwich Fair. - Students will view the PowerPoint presentation on the first day. - Each activity is scheduled to take approximately one day. - Students will be allowed to work independently and may go out-of-sequence, if necessary. - The PowerPoint presentation will be available online, so that students can access it as needed. - The teacher will circulate through the students offering suggestions. Students will produce a five-paragraph essay to showcase their analytical skills. - Primary source analysis will continue throughout the school year. - Emphasis will be placed on map interpretation as part of the social studies curricular goals.
 * Introduction:**
 * Procedure:**
 * Conclusion:**
 * Future Planning:**

Presentation
Save time! Rather than downloading the 5MB PowerPoint presentation attached to this wiki, view the entire presentation in your browser: media type="custom" key="4122871"

Conclusion
It is my hope that by having my students complete this assignment, I will be able to emphasize the importance of using primary sources in their studies. Through analysis and discovery, my students should receive a much more enriched education as a result of the inclusion of similarly-themed projects.

Comments:
Rob, This topic is interesting because it takes a local event that many students probably enjoy and compares it thoroughly to a historical event. I like how you provide examples of the Venn Diagram and KWL chart at the beginning, but then require students to formulate their ideas independently later on. Also, it's neat how you have them create their own primary source by interviewing a classmate about the Ferris wheel. Well done! ~Sarah Eggler

Rob, I really like the extra credit assignment. What a fun way to understand how a primary resource can be created. This is such an engaging topic for students to learn about research. Thanks for sharing. Diane Fight

Rob, I like your topics and I think your students will too. Everyone loves a fair and they can use their experience at the fair and on a ferris wheel to help them with their activities. I think your students will also enjoy that you gave them examples at first to help them but then had them work more on their own further along. Way to go! ~ Tauni Lindsey

Rob, I really liked your PowerPoint presentation. Thanks for uploading it directly to the wiki. It made it so much easier to access. I think you used great activities to help students use their critical thinking skills. I liked how sometimes they worked in pairs while other times independently. You really had them focus on their personal connections to this content. You use so many ways to evaluate the primary sources as well. Students get a chance to become familiar with different methods. My favorite part is probably the extra credit assignment at the end. Another great way to have students create a primary source. They would probably have so much fun they would forget that they are learning! Great Idea! Tina

Rob, I really loved how your arranged your ppt. I also like how you provided examples for your students to view so that they can truly see what you are trying to have them see. Jeanine