Historical Connections in Contemporary Issues

NAME: Alex Lancaster

PLC Question #1: What is it we want all students to know and be able to do?
(1) Standard(s) / Essential Learning(s)
Iowa Core
Knowledge and skills that teachers will ensure ALL
students will learn. In other words, WHAT they
(students) MUST know in order to be successful at
the next level.
(​1)​ Defined Proficiency of Essential Learning
(1) “I Can…” Statement(s) - Student
Learning Targets
The defined proficiency for each essential standard to determine when students’
have met the standard.
I can statement as defined in our curriculum that
matches the standard

SS.7.24 ​Analyze connections among  Target goal: ​Students will understand  Student demonstrates the ability to: 
historical events and developments in  connections between historical events and 
contemporary issues  the modern world.  
(change) in contemporary issues.    
SS.7.26​ Explain multiple causes and  Target goal: ​Explain the causes and effects 
effects of various contemporary events  of modern issues 
and developments 

Materials / Resources
Key Vocabulary
Key (common) vocabulary words and definitions
are tied back to an understanding of the essential Any materials needed to help provide high quality instruction to the students. These materials may be from a variety of sources and should
learnings. They are words that will be taught to be considered in relation to the big ideas and the standards/essential learnings indicated above.
ALL students in a grade level so as to ensure a
common understanding.

Contemporary  Immigration DBQ 

Historical  Notes Template 
Primary Source  Newsela & Actively Learn for Articles 
Secondary Source  Heartland AEA Database 
Reliable source  National Geographic Website 
Credible  ThroughLine Podcast 
Modern  Capacity Matrix 7.24 for students 
Cause  Engaging with Text 
Effect   
 PLC Question #2: How will we know when they have learned it?

Pre-Test Formative #1 Formative #2 Formative #3 Summative

Pretests can be extremely effective tools
and are an excellent way for teachers to
grow in their field. By providing kids with
pretests and using that information wisely,
you can give students better and more
individualized instruction.
There are many different ways that you
can use formative assessments to help
you identify the current level of
performance or understanding for your
students. The following link will provide
you with a list of sample formative
assessment strategies.
There are many ways that you can assess
student learning in a summative manner.
60 Formative Assessment By adhering carefully to the instructional
Techniques cycle throughout your planning, you can
ensure that students will show high levels
of learning on their summative
assessment.

7.24 Pre-Assessment​:  Entrance and exit slips:  Conferring conversations:  Student writing:​ What  Summative Assessment - 
This pre-assessment covers  Cover learning target for  Students will meet weekly  evidence can you provide  Timeline​ with connections 
our primary and secondary  the day to support small  with the teacher to review  that shows immigration is  writing 
standards as well as our  group instruction the  capacity matrix and their  an issue that spans time   
year-long research standard.  following day. Small group  Historical Connections 
individual progress toward  and place?  
Students will complete this  should be less than 10  Student Podcast and 
learning targets.  
prior to beginning  minutes and targeted  Exhibition 
instruction for the unit.    toward the specific learning 
target.  
 
PLC Question #3: How will we respond when some students don’t learn?
PLC Question #4: How will we respond when some students already know it?

Differentiation Worksheet

To successfully complete this section of the template, it will be important that your grade level team work to identify 1) the levels of proficiency for each assessment, 2) the quality of the
work that you want to see from students, and 3) the process by which you will administer, score, and review the student work. Having this conversation early ensures that we are looking at
student learning through a fine tuned lens and that we will respond appropriately to the needs identified.

Students Needing Additional Students Needing Core Instruction Students Needing Enrichment ESOL Students
Support

*after pretesting and formative assessments 70 students require core  *after pretesting and formative assessments *think of the ESL students served in your
you update students’ names here you update students’ names here classroom
instruction 
     
20 students (across 4 classes) need  22 students (across 4 classes) need  Conferring with ESOL and SPED 
extensive support  enrichment.   teachers to support our shared 
students to meet IEP modifications 
Instructional Ideas for Additional Instructional Ideas for Core Instructional Ideas for Enrichment Instructional Ideas for ESOL
Support Instruction students

● Quizlet: 7.24 Vocabulary  ● Immigration Vocabulary​ - Class  Impact of technology on the  ● Scaffolded graphic organizers 
● Quizlet: Primary and  activity for learning vocabulary  specific issue​ (created in  and sentence stems (designed 
Secondary Sources  (pre-teaching). Students will  collaboration with ELP teacher)  in collaboration with ESOL and 
● Graphic organizers to support  complete a sort and then have a  SPED teachers)  
writing  class discussion. We will then  ● Teacher model for steps 
● Small group instruction during  jigsaw 4 immigration articles  throughout the unit  
independent exploration time  where students will highlight 
● Targeted instruction around  the vocabulary words. Students 
reading primary sources  will explain how the words were 
● Targeted instruction around  used in the article to 
research tools   strengthen their 
● Pre-teach vocabulary  understanding.  
● Immigration DBQ:​ Students will 
engage in a Socratic Seminar to 
discuss what immigration looks 
like today. We will then practice 
reading primary and secondary 
sources to build a timeline of 
immigration issues and events 
in the United States throughout 
history. 
● ThroughLine Podcast NPR: 
Students will listen to 2 
ThroughLine podcasts 
analyzing issues today and their 
presence throughout history.  
 
Additional Notes: