Janine's+Lesson

Photos and Posters Lesson Plan 2 or 3 day lesson


 * Goal**: This Lesson is a topic I have always wanted to spend more time on with my students, so hopefully this will provide a way for my students to think critically about the event of George Washington crossing the Delaware.


 * Objectives**
 * The Students will examine the historical story behind George Washington crossing the Delaware.
 * Students will examine the reasons for this decisions and what were the results of the attack.
 * Students will examine two paintings that examine the event and compare and contrast the difference between them.
 * Students will decide which picture they think is most accurate and defend their choice with historical facts they have learned.


 * Materials**
 * Valley Forge Packet
 * NARA Modified worksheet
 * Venn Diagram
 * 2 Photos of Washington Crossing the Delaware [|Photo 1], [|Photo 2]
 * Student Journal


 * Procedure**
 * 1) As a class students will read and discuss the events at Valley Forge leading to and including the crossing of the Delaware.
 * 2) Students will list the reasons for Washington's crossing.
 * 3) Students will break into groups and begin by discussing how they picture Washington crossing.
 * 4) The groups will receive copies of the two pictures and begin by discussing them and filling in the modified NARA worksheet.
 * 5) Next the groups will create an enlarged Venn Diagram on poster board to compare and contrast the two photos.
 * 6) Groups will hang their posters around the room, and examine the other groups Venn Diagrams.

In their student journals the class will decide which picture they feel links most closely with the clues that history has left behind for them. Each entry will be supported by facts they have learned about Washington's Crossing.
 * Closure**

**This lesson sounds very interactive. If I taught an older grade I would definitely want to utilize group work. I believe that adding the photo comparison with their group members will be an effective tool for mastering the content. They will be able to associate the event with the photograph and they will be able to listen to different observations of the photographs. I believe that you have presented this material in a productive way and that your students will be actively engaged. Great work! - Jamie Lee**

I teach 5th grade :-) Janine
 * I was just curious ... what grade would this be for? Thanks, Diane

This is a great lesson to have students be active learners. When this type of information was presented to me in school it was so boring! But you have created a lesson that will engage students and definitely keep their attention! Jeanine  **

I like your idea of putting the Venn Diagrams onto poster board and putting the posters up around the room. That could be something I could even do at the high school level. Hanging up students' ideas is a great idea at all levels. Students seem to put more effort in a project if they know others may see it! This lesson does keep the students active and involved and is taught in a fun, interesting way, instead of something boring! ~Julie