Nation-States, How are they Formed

Nation-States, How are they Formed

Author(s): Chris Brand

Grade Level: 11-12
Timeframe: 10 (50 minute) class periods

Lesson Description or Explanation In order to better understand the world around them students will analyze and evaluate the physical and human geographic factors that contribute to the formation of states (countries) and the forces that function to either unite and bind a country together or divide a country. Over the next 10 class periods students will be given a variety of definitions pertaining to and including those of human and physical geography. Students will also learn how to evaluate the geography and political structures of a nation and its effects on a nation. Students will be given The US and Great Britain as in class examples and we will compare and contrast the two nations. Finally students will randomly choose a nation to write a research paper on. They will need to discuss the human and physical geography of the nation. They will also need to tell the history and political structures. They will then explain what has helped or hindered the development of the nation. Finally they will compare the chosen nation with the United States, using in class information. Students will also need to put together an in class presentation about their nation. If needed we will have a class session dedicated to technology, to ensure students can access and surf the web. Also to ensure that they are familiar with Microsoft office.


Indiana Curricular Standards
Indiana Standard 10 of Geography and History of the World

ISTE Standards
III Teaching, Learning, and the Curriculum
VI Social, Ethical, Legal, and Human Issues

Assessments Formative/Summative
Formative: Computer quizzes, Discussion and Debate
Summative: End of Unit project; Research Paper on another nation and comparing and contrasting it to the United States.
In class presentation, Should be tech based

Prior Knowledge
Curricular Knowledge or Skills: Basic geography and history is expected. Quizez will be used to determine knowledge. All other advanced skills and knowledge will be taught during the Unit.

Technology Knowledge: Basic internet and Microsoft office knowledge is expected. A web scavenger hunt using a quiz, will enable students to use their web knowledge. Also by haveing a prewriting activity and mini power point displays will show preoir knowledge of these ides. New tech skills should develop as a part of the process. (especially in research methods)

Technology
Internet Resources: (please list URLs)
http://www.tomorrow.org/speakup/index.html
http://www.microsoft.com/library/errorpages/smarterror.aspx?aspxerrorpath=/education/default.aspx
http://www.evalutech.sreb.org/accessible/index.asp

Hardware: computer and internet access

Software: web browser and Microsoft office

Procedure
Day 1 : Do a web based scavenger hunt as a quiz. This will test prior knowledge of topics and web knowledge.

Day 2: Defining what is Human Geography and discussing the Human Geography of both Great Britain and The US

Day 3: Defining what is Physical Geography and discussing the Physical Geography of both Great Britain and The US

Day 4: Defining the concept of Political Structures and discussing the many types.
Students will break into 4 groups and research the past and current political structures of The Us and Great Britain. They will then need to present the information in a 3-5 page powerpoint

Day 5: Students will finish powerpoint in class if needed and then present to the class.

Day 6: We will discuss how the human/Physical geography and political structures of The US helped and or hindered it throughout history

Day 7: We will discuss how the human/Physical geography and political structures of Great Britain helped and or hindered it throughout history

Day 8: Students will then compare and contrast the human/physical geography and political structures of The US and Great Britain

Day 9: Student research day for papers and presentations (nations chosen as well). Tutorial help also will be provided for those lacking in tech skills. Also explaination of paper and project.

Day 10: Quiz over definitions and human/physical geography and political structure of The US and Great Britain. Students will be asked to write an essay over either how these factors helped or hindered one nation or the other. or perhaps compare and contrast these factors for both nations

Differentiated Instruction

ESL A translator would be great; however, I will also have any notes printed off in both English and their native language.

Challenge/Extend
The challenge students will be asked for more in depth analysis and a longer paper. They will also be graded more strictly on their grammar and research methods and choice of sources.

Special Needs
Much of this depends on the special needs students. But if they are just lower intelligence, they would be required to do less pages, but still do a well thought out paper. They may also be given more leniency on grammar and choice of sources.