We
Didn't Start
the
Fire
11th
Grade US History Class
Project
rationale
Designed
by
Michael
Martin
Shane
Ramsey
Travis
Robbins
Introduction
| Task |
Process | Evaluation
| Conclusion | Credits
Introduction
Billy
Joel became engrossed with history in his early teenage years and decided
that one day he would become a history teacher. Unfortunately, a career
in rock 'n roll sidetracked his youthful ambition. Joel's hit song "We
Didn't Start the Fire" is homage to the career that never was for the
international music superstar. The song spans about forty years of U.S
and can be a wonderful teaching tool for an introduction modern American
history. The goal is to use all the wonderful history tools in the
song "We Didn't Start the Fire" and write a two page essay to explain the
relationship of each topic you select from each decade. This a a
wonderful way for Billy Joel to be able to live out his childhood dream
in the classroom.
The
Task
There are 113
individual topics discussed in the song, but many of them are intertwined.
Your assignment is take five
of these topics and show how they are related. You will write a two-page
essay explaining the relationship between the events that you have chosen
and why those events are significant in modern American history. In making
your selcetions you must span the entire timespan of the song. Each
of 100 plus topics are related in some way. It is your task to determine
which of the events are closest related or which of the events lead to
the other. Creativity is always a plus. Try to find issues,
events or topics with little relationship and show how they have a a major
impact on American history.
-
Students will use the
World Wide Web to access information related to the topic.
-
Students can use video
player to view "We Didn't Start the Fire" video.
The
Process
-
Open the "We Didn't
Start The Fire" lyrics page.
-
Choose one of the topics
in the song that is most interesting to you, this will be your "project
topic."
-
Click on the topic you
have chosen in the links section and thoroughly research the topic on which
you wish to write.
-
Go back to the lyrics
page and choose at least four other topics that you wish to relate
to your project topic.
-
Research all five of
the topics you have selected and write a two-page essay explaining the
relationship between the events that you have chosen and why those events
are significant in modern American history.
-
This paper must be at
least two pages, typed or word processed, double-spaced, and must contain
a coherent thesis linking the five events that you have chosen. Use the
APA
format to cite your sources and include a complete works cited.
Evaluation
Describe to the learners
how their performance will be evaluated. Specify whether there will be
a common grade for group work vs. individual grades.
|
Developing
0-10 |
Accomplished
11-16 |
Exemplary
17-22 |
Score |
Use
of research topics
|
Student
uses two to four research topics.
|
Student
uses five research topics.
|
Student
uses six or more research topics.
|
|
Relates
research topics and shows relaitvity to American History
|
Student
relates two to four research topics and shows relationship to American
History.
|
Student
relates five research topics and shows relationship to American History.
|
Student
relates six or more research topics and shows relationship to American
History.
|
|
Grammar
content of paper
|
Student
demonstrates skills below grade level in grammar and punctuation.
|
Student
demonstrates skills on grade level in grammar and punctuation.
|
Student
demonstrates skills above grade level in grammar and punctuation.
|
|
Citations
and Works Cited
|
Student
does not complete citations and works cited or uses incorrect format.
|
Student
completes citations and works cited page with few errors and minor mistakes
in format.
|
Student
completes works cited and citations in perfect or near perfect manner.
|
|
Quality
of work demonstrated
|
Students
demonstrate an overall below average quality of work.
|
Students
demonstrate an overall average quality of work.
|
Students
demonstrate an overall above average or superior quality of work.
|
|
Conclusion
Participation in
this lesson should teach students the intertwined nature of American History.
Relating different events in history is crucial to the understanding of
why these events occur. Students will gain a better understanding of the
50 years included in the song through individual research, web use, and
writing.
Credits
& References
APA
Format(University of Wisconsin)
"We
Didn't Start the Fire" lyrics page(First)
"We
Didn't Start the Fire" lyrics page(Second)
Billy
Joel's official website
"We
Didn't Start the Fire" video
Last
updated on August 15, 1999. Based on a template from The
WebQuest Page
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