NCTAN Implementation Plan

Rhonda Taylor

7th Grade Social Studies

Spring Creek High School

 

First, I should state that I used an idea presented during the seminar by Susanna Bryant from Phillips Middle School (What does it mean to be Japanese?) as a Mini-Grant proposal offered by Wayne County Business and Education Partnership of the Wayne Country Chamber of Commerce.  I modified Ms. Bryant’s plan to fit the needs of my students.  I am happy to report that out of ninety plus applicants, I was one of the twenty-six recipients in Wayne County.  Thank you to Ms. Bryant for the wonderful idea. 

 

The seventh grade Social Studies curriculum focuses on the study of Africa, Asia and the Pacific Realm.  This seminar offered a wealth of information for me to use in my classroom.  Not only was I able to use the information given in each seminar, the NCTAN website was also a valuable resource.  Bodgan Leja had set up various links to websites that offered specific information on East Asian countries, as well as other regions.  From these links, I found numerous ideas that I am going to use in my implementation plan. 

 

I have found that students really enjoy taking more of an active role in their learning, as well as, teaching their fellow peers.  Although they may be nervous initially, when it is all said and done, they tell me it was fun and how much they appreciate my job as a teacher.  In a recent unit on South Asia, I researched some sites from the NCTAN website and found the idea of a ‘teach-in’.  I used the idea with a unit on South Asia and it worked really well.  I would like to use this idea in my implementation plan and capitalize on some of the resources given to us during the seminar.  Before the students begin their research for the teach-in, I will peak their interests with an introduction to China’s geography, history and culture.  I will be using various handouts from resources given in the seminar. 

 

After my introduction, students will be organized into cooperative learning groups.  Each group will be given a topic to research and prepare for teaching.  Before each group begins their research, I will familiarize them with how their lesson plan should be completed.  (Objectives, materials, input, etc.)  The research groups will be:

 

1.      Early Chinese Empires 5000 BC – 1200 (Focus on Qin Dynasty & Tang Dynasty)  Members of this group should present facts and contributions of these dynasties.  Be sure to include the unitary state created under the Qin Dynasty and its harsh methods of rule.  Also, include major contributions by the Qin.  Be sure to include expansion under the Tang Dynasty, cultural enlightenment and the Buddhist influence in China during their empire.

 

2.     Early Chinese Empires 1400 – Present (Focus on Ming Dynasty and current Chinese government)  Members of this group should present facts and contributions of these dynasties.  Be sure to include the early expansion of the Ming Dynasty, the changes in the economy during the dynasty and major contributions.  Include the fall of the dynastic system and how the Communist government came to power. Also discuss how the communist government works and what changes it brought about in society.

 

3.     Spotlight on Confucianism  Members of this group should present facts on the life of Confucius, basic beliefs of Confucianism and how Confucianism influences life in China, past and present.  Be sure to include the 5 basic relationships according to Confucius and some Confucius sayings.

 

4.     Spotlight on Taoism   Members of this group should present facts on the basic beliefs of Taoism and how it influenced life in China.  Be sure to include information on the Yin and Yang and some Taoist sayings.

 

5.     Chinese Tradition  Members of this group can presents a variety of things ranging from Chinese architecture, Chinese art, Chinese holidays and festivals, Chinese dress, Chinese family, etc.  A combination of things would work as well. 

 

 

The students will complete research using the media center, computer resources, and material that I bring into class.  I will be using information from the texts used in the seminar.  I will also be providing a list of websites that can be valuable resources for the students. As the students are working in cooperative groups, I will be assisting them with research.  After all research is completed and lessons are planned, I will review each for accuracy and creativity. 

 

I will plan with the sixth grade social studies teacher to have each group present their lesson to sixth grade students.  Because these students are rising seventh graders, I hope this will peak their interest for the upcoming year.