World History Emergency Sub Plan: Engaging Explorations of the Past

Objective

Students will review key events from World War I, engage in a collaborative activity to reinforce their understanding, and independently summarize the significance of these events in a short written piece.

Materials/Resources

• Warm-Up Activity Materials:

  • Whiteboard/Chalkboard
  • Markers/Chalk
  • Printed timeline cards (events from World War I)

• Main Lesson Materials:

  • Projector/Screen (if available)
  • Access to online resources or textbooks covering World War I

• Independent Task Materials:

  • Paper and pens/pencils
  • Example prompts for the essay/paragraph

Lesson Plan Procedure

Opening/Lesson Hook (10 minutes)

• Warm-Up Activity: Timeline Review

  • Display the key events of World War I (e.g., Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, Battle of the Somme, Treaty of Versailles) on the board.
  • As a class, briefly discuss each event's significance.
  • Distribute printed timeline cards to small groups and ask them to arrange the cards in chronological order on their desks.
  • After 5 minutes, have each group share one event and its importance.

Guided Practice (20 minutes)

• Main Lesson: Exploring World War I

  • Present a brief overview of World War I, highlighting essential events and their impacts on global history. Use a projector to display visuals if available.

  • Focus on key themes such as alliances, trench warfare, and the war's aftermath.

  • Engage students by asking questions such as:

    • “How did alliances contribute to the escalation of the war?”
    • “What were some consequences of trench warfare on soldiers’ morale?”

Independent Practice (20 minutes)

• Writing Task: Short Essay or Paragraph

  • Instruct students to choose one significant event from World War I discussed in class and write a short essay or paragraph summarizing its causes, effects, and importance in history.

  • Provide example prompts:

    • "Describe the impact of the Treaty of Versailles on Europe."
    • "Explain how the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand sparked the war."

Differentiated Activities

• Below Grade Level: Create a visual poster that represents their chosen event, using drawings and key facts.
• At Grade Level: Write a detailed paragraph with at least five sentences summarizing their chosen event.
• Above Grade Level: Write a short essay (3-5 paragraphs) analyzing the significance of their event in the context of World War I and its long-term effects.

Closing (10 minutes)

• If time allows, invite a few students to share their written pieces or posters with the class.
• Collect all assignments for review.

Extension Activities or Sample Questions

• Formative Assessment:

  • Exit ticket: “What was one new thing you learned about World War I today?”

• Summative Assessment:

  • A quiz on the key events and themes of World War I based on the day's lesson.

Reflection

• Encourage students to consider how the events of World War I shaped the modern world. Ask them to reflect on how understanding history helps us comprehend current global issues.

Instructions for the Substitute Teacher

1. Start the Class: Greet the students and explain that they will be exploring World War I today.
2. Warm-Up Activity: Lead the students in the timeline review and group activity.
3. Main Lesson: Present the overview of World War I, using the projector if available, and engage students with questions.
4. Independent Writing Task: Distribute writing materials and give clear instructions for the writing task. Allow time for students to work independently.
5. Closing the Class: Facilitate sharing of student work if time permits, and collect all assignments before the bell rings.

This plan is designed to provide a seamless, engaging history lesson that can be implemented at any time throughout the school year.