- Grade Focus
- Grade 6, Grade 7, Grade 8
- Age Level
- 11, 12, 13
- Subject
- Social Studies
- Technology Integration Activity
- Discovering the Internet, Imaging, PowerPoint Presentations
Europe Lesson Plan
Europe Lesson Plan
Introduction
How does geography affect the lives of the people of Europe? Compare and contrast various countries of the world. How would your life be different if you lived in another country and not in the United States of America? What is the most effective way to learn and gather information about another country and its citizens?Prerequisite Experience
Students should have a basic understanding of geographic concepts and Europe’s location in the world. Students should know how to do research on the Internet. Students should have a basic knowledge of PowerPoint.Teacher Prep Time
1 Hour
Review these training videos from Nortel LearniT
• Discovering the Internet, http://nortellearnit.org/technology/Discovering_the_Internet/
• Imaging, http://nortellearnit.org/technology/Imaging/
• PowerPoint Presentations, http://nortellearnit.org/technology/PowerPoint_Presentations/
During the Engage section of the lesson, the teacher may want to show a few pictures of Europe or play some music from Europe, but not explain too much, only use them to spark conversation and to arouse student curiosity.
These web sites might help.
• http://www.europesgreatestmusic.com/
• http://tamizdat.org/
• http://goeurope.about.com/cs/photography/a/europe_pictures.htm
• http://www.flixya.com/photo/87427/Pictures_from_Europe
MATERIALS:
Access to the Internet
PowerPoint Software
Access to books and primary sources on Europe
Paper and writing materials
Projector
Project
Students will use the Internet and other sources to research information on a country in Europe. Students will then use that information to create a PowerPoint presentation, which they will present to the class.Assessment/Grading
The PowerPoint length can vary depending on student ability. Students who work slower can be given extra time to finish. Students who have difficulty writing can be allowed to use a word processor with spell and grammar check and can also be allowed an extra re-write. Students who are more advanced, or who finish early can help other students by proofreading their writing and helping to re-teach the material. Students who are more advanced can search out and interview someone who has lived in or visited the country showcased; the student can then include that interview as part of their PowerPoint. The questions asked by the teacher to check for understanding can vary based on ability and by level of comprehension.Time Management Tips
Students need to individually complete the PowerPoint, but can help each other by doing a peer review of the other PowerPoints prior to the presentations.Lesson Plan Details
Engage
1. Write down as much as you know about Europe. Is there anything you would like to learn about Europe? Brainstorm for 10 to 15 minutes.
2. Share your ideas and questions with your class. Make a list on Excel with two columns. One column will have what you already know about Europe. The other will have what you would like to learn about Europe. Use the projector to display the lists on a daily basis for the remainder of the lesson. You will add to the list throughout the course of the lesson.
3. You will use the Internet and other sources to research information on a country in Europe. You will then use that information to create a PowerPoint presentation to present to your class.
Explore
1. Write down as many countries you can think of in Europe. You may only be able to name a few and you may even name wrong ones, but give it a try.
2. Now that you have finished with your list, compare your list to one posted by your teacher. How many did you know? Were all of the ones you chose correct? Are there any countries on the list that you didn’t know? Are there ones on the list, you hear about all the time? You will be researching and creating a PowerPoint on one of these countries. Decide which country you would like to learn more about.
3. To complete this project, you’ll need a computer with a PowerPoint, and Internet access.
4. Before you begin your research, you may want to review these sites:
CIA Fact Book
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/index.html
Europa
http://europa.eu/index_ns_en.htm
Europe for Children
http://europa.eu/europago/welcome.jsp
Travel for Kids
http://www.travelforkids.com/
Fact Monster
http://www.factmonster.com/
Explain
1. You will have a one-on-one meeting with your teacher to discuss your progress on the PowerPoint.
2. If you are struggling to find enough research on your specific country, you can either discuss additional web sites with your teacher or perhaps choose another country.
3. Consider reviewing these videos on Europe. You may want to include clips into your PowerPoint.
a. Geography of the World: Europe: Land and Resources . Discovery Channel School. 2006.
unitedstreaming. 4 February 2008
http://streaming.discoveryeducation.com/
b. City Life in Europe. Discovery Channel School. 2004.
unitedstreaming. 4 February 2008
http://streaming.discoveryeducation.com/
c. World Geography: Europe. Discovery Channel School. 2004.
unitedstreaming. 4 February 2008
http://streaming.discoveryeducation.com/
Alternately, you may be able to find specific videos on the country you have chosen on other websites.
“Discovery Education streaming is a digital video-on-demand and online teaching service to help improve students' retention and test scores; it is aligned to U.S. state and provincial standards.” If you do not have access to United Streaming, you can sign up for a free 30 day trial at www.unitedstreaming.com.
National Geography is an excellent resource to use for information on your specific country.
http://www3.nationalgeographic.com/places/continents/continent_europe.html
Elaborate
The following questions should be answered by the student during the presentation:
• Where is your country located?
• What are the geographic features of your country?
• What is the climate of your country?
• What is the environment of your country?
• What is the history of your country?
• What are the customs and traditions of your country?
• What type of government does your country have?
• What is the economy like in your country?
• What are the major tourist attractions in your country?
Once you have completed your research, you will use the information and create a PowerPoint presentation about your country. Before you begin, you may want to review the Nortel LearniT training videos on PowerPoints found at:
http://www.nortellearnit.org/technology/PowerPoint_Presentations/
Use the PowerPoint Storyboard below to organize your slides.
Prior to presenting your PowerPoint presentation to the class, have another peer review to check for errors and/or make suggestions to help finalize your PowerPoint.
Now that you have completed your PowerPoint presentation, you will present it to the class. You might want to take a look at a Nortel LearniT video tutorial and get some good tips and tricks on making a great presentation.
http://www.nortellearnit.org/technology/PowerPoint_Presentations/
Take notes on the other presentations.
PowerPoint Storyboard example:
http://nortellearnit.org/resources/Handouts/default_page#922a760d_2e15_4deb_b547_25cc6a4fdcdc
Extend
Consider some of these ideas for extensions
1. After hearing all of the class presentations, write a short essay describing which countries you would most want visit and why.
2. Pretend that you have just returned from vacation in Europe. Write a short essay describing your trip.
3. Look at a map of Europe before World War I (1914). Is your country on that map? What changes have taken place?
4. Find a food recipe from your country and make the food for the class.
5. Research the flag of your country and make a copy for the classroom.
6. Find a recording of the national anthem of your country and bring in a sound recording to play for the class.
Related Resources
CIA Fact Book
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/index.html
Europa
http://europa.eu/index_ns_en.htm
Europe for Children
http://europa.eu/europago/welcome.jsp
Travel for Kids
http://www.travelforkids.com/
Fact Monster
http://www.factmonster.com/