MANCHESTER COLLEGE
DEPARTMENT of EDUCATION
LESSON PLAN by: Adam Hall
Lesson: Introduction to the Cold War Length: 50 Minutes
Grade: 11th U.S. History
Academic Standards:
USH.6.1 Describe the domino theory and principle of containment. Identify key events/people of post WWII tensions.
USH.9.4 Explain issues/problems of the past through the viewpoints of those involved.
Performance Objectives: While the students and I are discussing what the domino theory and containment, they will act out how the two terms looked like during the Cold War and what it meant to the different countries. I expect the students to show an 80% understanding of what domino theory and containment means to the Cold War.
Assessment: While the students and I are discussing, I will note on the class seating chart of students who have shown that they understand what the domino theory and containment means. I will also note which students are acting out the actions of the two terms.
Advanced Preparation: Go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hgtekdw1eyo&feature=related and load the video about dominos.
Procedures:
Introduction: Tell the students that we have just finished with WWII. Ask them who the victors were in the war. (Bloom’s Knowledge) Today we will begin a new unit on the Cold War. We are first going to discuss and act out what keep the Cold War at the front of world concerns.
Step-by-step Plan:
1. After the introduction, ask the students if they know what the domino theory is. (Bloom’s Evaluation) a. After a few answers, move on. 2. Ask the students what they believe the word containment means. (Bloom’s Evaluation) 3. Now turn on the overhead projector and play the Youtube video about dominos being knocked down. a. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hgtekdw1eyo&feature=related. It would be best that you start the video ahead of time. (Gardner’s Spatial) b. Explain to the kids that this can represent how the United States felt about communism. 4. After the video, tell the students to arrange their desks into four groups. 5. Tell the students that we are going to take action and act out what the domino theory and containment did to the world. (Gardner’s Kinesthetic) 6. This how the room should look.
Group 2 Group 1 Russia The United States
Group 3 Group 4
North Korea South Korea
Teacher’s Desk
7. Tell group one that they are the United States and they to show containment. 8. Tell group two that they are Russia. They are to react to containment. 9. Tell group three that they are North Korea and they going to show the domino theory. 10. Tell group four that they are South Korea and they are to show the attempt of containment. 11. Allow group one to present first and act-out what they would do to the following questions/actions. a. How do the Russians give you the sense that they are attempting to spread communism. i. What signs would you look for from the Russians? (Bloom’s Analysis) b. How would you use containment against the Russians? (Bloom’s Synthesis) 12. Next is group two. a. Ask them to respond to the actions of the United States. b. Next tell them that they decide they are going to share communism with North Korea. Have them stand next to the group and have them act like they share government. 13. Ask the class how this is a sign of the domino theory. (Bloom’s Application) 14. Next is group three. a. The Russians have just shared communism with you. You now turn to your neighbors to the south and attempt to persuade them to accept Communism. i. How is this a sign of containment? (Bloom’s Application) 15. Now it is group fours turn. a. Tell the South Koreans that they are attempting to resist the North Koreans attempt to spread communism, but they need assistance. i. Ask them who they would turn to for help. (Bloom’s Synthesis) ii. Ask them why they asked assistance from whoever the pick GROUP ONE. (Bloom’s Analysis) 16. Tell group one that they need to hurry and rush to the aid of group four before it is too late. Also, tell group two that they better help group three for protection. 17. Ask all four groups are standing in the middle tell them to freeze. Ask them why this war is called the Cold War. (Bloom’s Application) a. Explain to them that the United States and Russia never truly came to blows; they decided to act through others. Countries such as North and South Korea did a lot of the fighting. 18. Thank the students and ask them to put the desks back the way they were.
Closure: Tell the students that we have just gone through a quick overview of the Cold War. The coming days we will go into more in-depth events during the Cold War.
Adaptation/Enrichments:
For students with anxiety, tell them that today is going to be a fun day and there is nothing to worry about for today. Tell them to be ready tomorrow for more discussion on the Cold War.
For students with a learning disability, be sure to repeat questions and answers during today’s activities. If there is a student who is ADHD, standing near them will help they stay on task. Also, having them move around and acting will help them and all the students release some energy.
Self-Reflection:
Did the students have an even amount of parts to act out?
Were the students able to learn through the acting?
Was it fun for the students?