Stories of American Heroes - Brought to you from the "Home of Heroes" - Pueblo, Colorado

Medal of Honor Research Project
Technology-Connected Lesson Plan

Grade Level:  8-12 

Curriculum Areas:

• Social Studies

• English/Language Arts

Learning Objectives: 

The students will

research from a variety of sources biographies of Medal of Honor recipients composing original essays based on the facts as well as personal appreciation of their actions organizing the collection into a booklet also containing original art work and graphics

Learning Framework 
based on Louisiana Standards:

• H-1A-M1 describing chronological relationships and patterns

• H-1A-M2 demonstrating historical perspective through the political, social, and economic context in which an event or idea occurred

• H-1A-M3 analyzing the impact that specific individuals, ideas, events, and decisions had on the course of history

• H-1A-M4 analyzing historical data using primary and secondary sources

• H-1A-M6 conducting research in efforts to answer historical questions

• H-1A-H6 analyzing cause-effect relationships

• ELA-1-M5 using purposes of reading to achieve a variety of purposes

• ELA-1-H3 reading, comprehending, and responding to extended complex written, spoken, and visual texts

• ELA-1-H5 using the various purposes for reading to complete complex projects

• ELA-2-M1 writing a composition that clearly implies a central idea with supporting details in a logical, sequential order

• ELA-2-M3 applying the steps of the writing process

• ELA-2-M4 using narration, description, exposition, and persuasion to develop various modes of writing (e.g. essays)

• ELA-3-M2 demonstrating use of punctuation

• ELA-3-M3 demonstrating standard English structure and usage

• ELA-3-M4 demonstrating understanding of the parts of speech to make choices for writing

• ELA-3-M5 spelling accurately

• ELA-5-M2 locating and evaluating information sources

• ELA- 5-M4 using available technology to produce, revise, and publish a variety of works

Technology Connection:

• Software: Word, Internet access, Multi-media encyclopedia

• Websites:

  • http://www.homeofheroes.com

  • http://www.cmohs.com

  • www.army.mil/cmh-pg/moh.1htm

• Other sites found through searching the web

 

Procedures:

Over a period of 5 to 6 months, students research MOH recipients choosing 10 to focus on and write about using the following criteria:

• At least one serviceman must be from each of the following: Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force

• The list has to include an African-American recipient, an Hispanic recipient, an Oriental recipient, and a non-Christian recipient

• One of the ten must be either the only woman , a non-combatant, or some special recipient

• The list of ten recipients must span at least five wars or military campaigns

• One of the recipients must be designated Most Personally Inspiring

Each booklet focusing on the ten recipients must contain originally composed well-documented essays as well as an introductory essay that is a personal commentary on Courage. Pictures of each recipient are encouraged as well as original artwork depicting the actions of the recipients.

 

Assessment:

Teacher evaluation using personally developed rubric

 

Accommodations:

• Guided practice in finding websites and using research materials

• Peer evaluation of originally composed essays