20th Century

Description

Explore some of the important events and details of the 20th century and their impact on life today with our 20th Century Lesson Plan.  This lesson reviews relevant vocabulary, such as century, decade, etc., as well as allows students the opportunity to share their current 20th century event knowledge with the group.  Develop research strategies and written expression as students complete the practice worksheet.

Sample Classroom Procedure / Teacher Instruction

1. Ask: How many of you know someone who was born before the year 2000? Ask students to share a few stories they may have been told by the person.
2. Display a small electronic, like a cell phone, iPad, etc. Ask students: What lead to the very small parts that make up the many electronics we use today?
3. Allow for responses and discussion.
4. Lead the discussion to the 20th Century and the space program, which led NASA to need smaller and smaller parts for the on-board equipment.
5. Introduce the 20th Century. Review what a century is, 100 years, when it begins, and a decade, etc.
6. Distribute The 20th Century content pages.
7. Read and review the information aloud with students. Ask students to share the knowledge they may already know about the different events in the century as they review the information.
8. Ask them to think about the final question on page 2, but not to answer it yet.
9. Distribute the Activity pages and supplies.
10. Review the instructions with the students. Give students access to the Internet or other resources to write the brief summaries of the events.
11. Stress to students that there have been many events that are important, these 10 are just a sample.
12. Once completed, have students share their responses, check for understanding.
13. Distribute the Practice page. The students should be able to answer these questions without further resources, but some may need additional assistance.
14. Once completed, review the responses allow students to share. Save the last question/responses for the closing of the lesson. Stress that each event may have a different impact depending on the person, etc.
15. Distribute the Homework page. Review the next day.
16. Have students respond to and discuss: Which 20th Century event had the most impact on you personally?

Common Core State Standards: CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.4.3 CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.4.5 CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.4.3 CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.4.7 CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.5.3 CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.5.2 CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.5.3 CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.5.7 CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.6.2 CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RH.6.4 CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RH.6.10

Class Sessions (45 minutes): 2 – 3 class sessions

Want more social studies resources? Check out our other Social Studies Lesson Plans!