Project Design
This project was designed to be implemented with two social studies classes. Working in cooperation with a grade eight US History teacher, lessons were designed which would incorporate supplemental literature and an accompanying activity which used the literature. The teacher presented her regular lessons to all classes and I presented additional literature lessons with one section, her period 5 class.
Students in both classes, the literature enhanced class and the teacher's period two class, completed a graphic organizer at the end 2 units of study. The two units under study during this research were the Constitutional Convention and the Industrial Revolution. Students were given the same task, to complete a graphic organizer, making as many "connections" as they could by filling in the bubbles. Students were asked to recall as much information as they could from the units presented.
The graphic organizers for each class were analyzed and the average number of connections for each section determined. In addition, the information students listed was reviewed to note any connections that could be directly related to the literature activities.
Students in the literature class also completed a questionnaire to determine their perception of the literature and activities presented. Students were asked if they found the activities helpful in recalling the information taught during the unit.
In addition, classroom observations and a review of the results of the teacher 's exam given for the first unit were used in the final analysis.
Lesson One Lesson Two Lesson Three Lesson Four
Resources Literature Review Favorite Links