Comparing and Contrasting Ancient Egypt and Ancient China

Objectives: Students will use their interactive notebooks and technology to create a graphic organizer. Students will combine non-linguistic and linguistic modes to compare and contrast Ancient China and Ancient Egypt. The final product will be printed and presented to classmates. Students will be assessed on final product.

Standards:

Virginia Department of Education
2.1 The student will explain how the contributions of ancient China and Egypt have influenced the present world in terms of architecture, inventions, the calendar, and written language.

ISTE Technology Standards
II. Social,
Students:
B. practice responsible use of technology systems, information, and software.
C. develop positive attitudes toward technology uses that support lifelong learning, collaboration, personal pursuits, and productivity.

III. Technology Productivity Tools
Students:
A. use technology tools to enhance learning, increase productivity, and promote creativity.

VIII. Developing Research Skills
Students use a variety of technological and information resources (e.g., libraries, databases, computer networks, video) to gather and synthesize information and to create and communicate knowledge.

XII. Applying Language Skills
Students use spoken, written, and visual language to accomplish their own purposes (e.g., for learning, enjoyment, persuasion, and the exchange of information).



Prior Knowledge: Students will have an understanding of Ancient China and Egypt. Students will have knowledge and general understanding of the computer and the software Inspiration. I have previously modeled using Inspiration to create a Venn diagram using the SmartBoard, teacher laptop, projector, wireless mouse and wireless keyboard.

Note: This lesson will take a week. Time allotted for social studies is forty-five minutes per day.

Materials:
Student: Laptop with Inspiration, interactive notebooks, rubric
Teacher: Projector, digital visualizer, laptop for each pair of students, rubric handouts for each student
I have also created a library of ancient culture pictures for students to use in their projects

Lesson Overview:
The teacher will review Inspiration with the students using teacher laptop and projector. Students will have one laptop per two students. Students will use Inspiration to create a Venn diagram comparing and contrasting Ancient Egypt and China. Students will use teacher made rubric and interactive notebooks in order to complete the project.

Lesson Procedures:

Introduction:
Teacher will review the use of Inspiration with the students. Teacher will pass out expectation rubric to each student and review the rubric using the projector and teacher laptop. Have students access the student server and look at the Venn diagram made in previous lesson. Using this diagram go over the rubric step by step and grade it. Behavior expectations will be reviewed.

Grouping: Students will be paired by teacher according to behavior, computer literacy and knowledge. (Pair stronger with weaker)


Main activity:
Each pair of students will use one laptop together. They will take turns typing and inserting pictures. Teacher will be available for helping and reviewing student work. Students will print their diagrams out when they are completed.

Conclusion: Students will use their rubric in order to self assess.

Extension: Students will use the digital visualizer to share their diagrams with classmates and receive peer feedback.

Assessment: The students will be assessed using the teacher made rubric.

Student Rubric - This rubric is in a chart. It did not copy exactly when I pasted it.

25 points 20 points 15 points 10 points
Compare and contrast Ancient China and Ancient Egypt by creating a Venn diagram in Inspiration. Diagram includes title for the Venn, labels for each circle (three), date and students names.
Diagram does not include one of the following: title for the Venn, labels for each circle (three), date and students names.
Diagram does not include two of the following: title for the Venn, labels for each circle (three), date and students names.
Diagram does not include more than two of the following: title for the Venn, labels for each circle (three), date and students names.

Contrast architecture, inventions, language, and climate.
.
Contrast at least five things including one thing about architecture, invention, language and climate and label.
Contrast at least four things including one thing about architecture, invention, language and climate and label.
Contrast at least three things including one thing about architecture, invention, language and climate and label.
Contrast at least two things including one thing about architecture, invention, language and climate and label.

Include pictures using Inspiration libraries. Include at least five pictures for each item Include at least four pictures for each item Include at least three pictures for each item Include at least two pictures for each item
Compare Ancient China and Ancient Egypt. Compare at least three things.
Compare two things.
Compare one thing.
Did not compare.