Unit Design Worksheet
Integrating Technology into a Curriculum Unit
Wayne Wollaston
This unit is for 8th grade
Subject Area(s) that are the focus of this unit: Language Arts and Social Studies
Name of Your State: GA
URL for state and/or district curriculum standards used to complete this table: http://picasso.cobbk12.org/index.php?module=Pagesetter&func=viewpub&tid=8&pid=2
Topic Title and Description
Expository and Technical Writing
‘ Georgia The Gem of the East’
In the eighth grade, students' appreciation of written and spoken language begins to extend beyond the school setting. As readers, eighth graders continue to broaden their reading experiences through the study and analysis of compelling literature. Students continue to refine their skills in the production of quality essays and narratives. Eighth graders will continue to develop their own writing styles; and they will use strong verbs, adjectives, and adverbs. Eighth graders enjoy debating a variety of topics. Eighth grade students deepen their study of Georgia history by identifying Georgia authors and examining texts these authors have created. The Georgia Magazines and wed site called ‘Georgia On My Mind’ are full of articles on a plethora of topics.
Your task in this unit is to write an article for the historical magazine that also has an online web site on a topic of some historical importance to Georgia with the aim to attract more visitors to historical sites. However, before you can do that, you have to be hired by the magazine to get your article published. To be considered, you will need to write an abstract of your article, a letter of application and submit a resume. Who knows, you may be chosen as the next writer of articles in the famous magazine ‘Georgia On My Mind’.
As each state is looking for ways to improve revenue and ways to attract more people to their natural resources. Your job will not be easy as you will have to use a number of different types of media to attract visitors. In this task you may use but not limited to creating a jingle with music, and pictures. You may also create a short movie of no more than three minutes or even a podcast that could be viewed on someone smart phone. Please remember your aim is to high light the main historical points in the state and convince the viewer or listener that this is the place to come and have a great time with your family and friends.
Unit Understanding Goal: Language Arts
Knowledge and Comprehension Targets
Standard Element: ELA8LSV2.a,b
Analyzes oral communication by paraphrasing a speaker’s purpose and point of view, and asks relevant questions concerning the speaker's content, delivery, and purpose.
Class discussion on the topic to establish an understanding of the topic.
Unit Understanding Goal: Language Arts
Knowledge and Comprehension Targets, Products
Standard Element: ELA8W1.b,c,e d [resources: 1]
Uses traditional structures for a, conveying information (e.g., chronological order, cause and effect, similarity and difference, and posing and answering a question).
Students will complete a graphic organizer such as a KWL, vend diagram, T- chart, research note.
Student will write a first draft of their work.
Unit Understanding Goal: Language Arts
Knowledge and Comprehension Targets, Products
Standard Element: ELA8W2.a
Expository Writing: Engages the reader by establishing a context, creating a speaker's voice, and otherwise developing reader interest.
Students will complete a checklist of the five Traits of writing.
Unit Understanding Goal: Technology
Performance Skills, Reasoning Targets
T4a Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, and Decision Making
Students use critical thinking skills to plan and conduct research, manage projects, solve problems, and make informed decisions using appropriate digital tools and resources
Students will use the correct digital tools and resources to complete task.
Unit Understanding Goal: Technology
Dispositions
T5a-d Digital Citizenship
Students understand human, cultural, and societal issues related to technology and practice legal and ethical behavior
Students will review chart dealing with rules to follow to be good digital Citizen.
Unit Understanding Goal: Technology
Performance Skills, Dispositions
T6a-d Technology Operations and Concepts
Students demonstrate a sound understanding of technology concepts, systems, and operations.
Student will have to be able to use the following Microsoft word, camera, printer
Unit Understanding Goal: Social Studies
Products
SS8G1 The student will describe Georgia with regard to physical features and location.
• Mental map of Georgia including outline of Georgia, surrounding states, physical and cultural features
• Pretest
• Create a map of Georgia
• Venn diagram comparing student work to an actual map of Georgia
Use of different types of maps to acquire information about Georgia’s geography
Unit Understanding Goal: Social Studies
Products, Reasoning Targets,
SS8G2a,c The student will explain how the Interstate Highway System, Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, and Georgia’s deepwater ports help drive the state’s economy.
• Students will create a plaque to illustrate one phase of how transportation has progressed from prehistoric times to the present to be displayed on a classroom timeline.
• Students will discuss and evaluate how Georgia’s transportation systems affect our economy and human activity in the state and nation.
