Lesson Blueprints
Title of Project Greek Heritage Day
School District Little Falls City School District
School Little Falls High School
Standard Social Studies
Class 9th Grade Global Studies
Teacher Beth Tracy
Library Media Specialist Joyce Patterson
Project Length One 80-minute block
I. Issues for the Teacher
A. What NYS Standard are you working towards in this project?
Standard Social Studies #2: Students will use a variety of intellectual skills to demonstrate their understanding of major ideas, eras, themes, developments and turning points in world history and examine the broad sweep of history from a variety of perspectives.
Key Idea To understand the impact of Greek culture upon western civilization.
B. What skill (C-DOS/Information Literacy, etc.) do you want your students to develop as they work on this project?
C-DOS Standard 3a: Foundation Skills: Students will demonstrate mastery of the foundation skills and competencies essential for success in the workplace.
C. Describe in some detail what you want your students to do and/or produce in this project that will demonstrate that they are moving toward the standard and developing their skill.
Students will work in collaborative groups to research a facet of Greek culture, write a two-page essay on a topic and produce a creative presentation to teach their class about the selected topic.
II. Issues for the Library Media Specialist
A. What instructional strategies will you use to move students toward the standard(s) and skill(s) above?
Students will spend Day 1 (80 minute block) in the library working in collaborative groups to select a topic, create a working vocabulary and share with classmates their brainstorming. Then students will utilize both online and print resources to gather information needed to write their essay and begin preparing for their presentation. It will be the students' responsibility to complete their information gathering, write their essay and create their group presentation. Students will be expected to complete three products for the library component: (1) a Big 6 search process evaluation sheet, (2) a product checklist and (3) a bibliography sheet.
B. What material/technical support will you provide for the project?
  • Librarian and teacher will help collaborative groups during Day 1 in the library.
  • Librarian will direct groups, do sweep, keep them focused on task.
  • Librarian will assist students needing help in searching online.
III. Issues for the Teacher and Library Media Specialist
A. What is the question driving the project?
To understand the impact of Greek culture upon western civilization.
B. The Challenge for Students (What product do you want students to create that will provide evidence they're learning the standard and skill?)
  • They will complete a Big 6 evaluation sheet about their research process, a product checklist concerning their creative presentation, and a bibliography sheet demonstrating their ability to keep track of their sources of information.
  • They will each write a two-page essay on their group topic.
  • They will do a creative group presentation of their topic for Greek Culture Day, with a simple oral presentation rubric to guide them.
C. Product Criteria (What criteria for a product of "good" quality?)

  • Students will use a variety of both print and online resources.
  • Students will write an essay meeting at least rubric level #3.
  • Students will achieve at least" adequate" on the oral presentation rubric.
  • Students will record completely resources used on their bibliography sheet.
  • Students will be able to evaluate all stages of the Big 6.
  • Students will be able to complete their product checklist on time.
D. Standards Criteria (What evidence is needed to determine that the desired standard is being achieved?)
  • Students will participate in group discussions.
  • Students will pursue both online and print resources in gathering their information.
  • Students will take notes and record their resources.
  • Students will complete their essay and three library forms.
  • Students will present an informative oral report.
  • Students will hand in their work on time.
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