TEACHER ACTIVITY GUIDE The Historic Journey: “Yes We Can” © 2010 Holland and Associates; All rights reserved. LESSON 1 | Grades K-12 Overview- Beginning the Journey Lesson Duration: 1–4 Class Periods (30 – 50 Minutes) for Each Section OVERARCHING QUESTIONS: Knowledge of Language 3, Vocabulary Acquisition and Use 4, 5, 6 1. Where are we going? Math:Common Core Standards, 2010: Problem Solving: All grade levels; Geometry: Gr 5, 6, 8, Operations and 2. Where are we now in our understanding Algebraic Thinking: All grade levels, Number Sense Gr. 5, 6, 8, of this topic? Measurement and Data: All grades 3. Why are we trying to discover more? Science - In Standards 2000: 4. How will we get there? Nature of Science and Technology – The Scientific Enterprise: (IN 4.1.4, 5.1.3, 6.1.4, 6.1.5) 5. How will we know we have arrived at any new understandings about this topic? OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this lesson is to introduce the CONTENT THEME: DVD, The Historic Journey: “Yes We Can” and to Explore the significance of the African American begin implementing ideas on how the DVD can help journey and the historical developments that took students to make connections between what they place which lead to the election of an African already know and what they will be learning in the American as the 44th President of the United near future about the events in American history that States of America. lead up to the election of President Barack Obama as the 44th President of the United States. A variety STANDARDS/ESSENTIAL SKILLS: of lessons from cross-curriculum areas are included in All of the standards listed below are directly this overview sampler of lessons. related to, or can be closely connected to, this lesson. Depending on the direction the teacher wishes to The students will: focus the lesson, these standards provide a foundation 1. Complete a pre-writing activity to connect for teachers to adapt and implement a standards-based their prior knowledge to what they already curriculum approach. know about the Obama election. Social Studies - IN 2007: 2. View the DVD and reflect on its content. K-8 HISTORY: Historical Knowledge IN K.1.2, K.1.3, 1.1.1,1.1.2, 2.1.1, 3. Analyze recurring themes in the video after 2.1.2, 2.1.3, 3.1.4, 4.1.6, 4.1.7, 5.1.5, 5.1.7, 6.1.4, 6.1.10, 7.1.8, 8.1.10, viewing the video. 8.1.16, 8.1.18, 8.1.20, 8.1.26 Chronological Thinking, Historical Comprehension, Research IN K.1.4, 1.1.10, 2.1.7 3.1.7, 4.1.15, 5.1.20, 4. Offer suggestions about additional activities 7.1.19, 8.1.28 CIVICS AND GOVERNMENT: IN K.2.1, K.2.2, 1.2.1, they could complete related to the video. 1.2.3, 1.2.4, 2.2.1, 2.2.2, 2.2.4, 2.2.5, 3.2.3, 3.2.4, 3.2.5, 4.2.2, 4.2.5, 5. Have the option to choose other projects from 5.2.6, 5.2.7, 5.2.9, 6.2.5, 8.2.1, 8.2.4, 8.2.8, 8.2.9 GEOGRAPHY: K.3.2, K.3.6, 1.3.2, 2.3.2, 3.3.3, 4.3.1, 4.3.2, 5.3.1, 5.3.8, 6.3.2, 7.3.1, 7.3.2, a list of student-generated ideas about how to 8.3.7, HS US History: USH 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 2.7, 4.3, 6.2, 6.3, 6.4, 7.1, 9.5, continue learning about events and images HS US GOVERNMENT: USG 1.1, 1.9, 1.11, 2.2, 2.3, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 3.15, shown in the video. 5.1, 5.7, 5.8, 5.10, 5.12, HS GEOGRAPHY AND WORLD HISTORY: 6. Participate in other projects selected by either GWH 3.1. 4.1, 4.2 English/Language Arts - IN 2006: the teacher or students. Reading: Word Recognition and Vocabulary Development: IN 4.1.2, 5.1.3, 6.1.4, 7.1.3, 8.1.3, Informational, Research and Persuasive BACKGROUND INFORMATION: Texts – Response to Literature IN 5.5.2, 7.5.2, 8.5.2, 9.5.2 BEGINNING THE JOURNEY Language Arts Arts - Common Core 2010: CCR Standards (K-5) are woven into activities: LITERATURE: Key Ideas rom the first engrossing image presented in and Details: 1, 2, 3, Craft and Structure: 4, 5, 6, Integration of Know- ledge and Ideas: 7, 8, 9, Range of Reading and Level of Text Complexity: the DVD, The Historic Journey: “Yes We Can”, 10, WRITING: Text Types and Purposes: 1, 2, 3, Production and Distri- students can view Barack Obama’s seemingly bution of Writing: 4, 5, 6, Research to Build and Present Knowledge: F improbable and impossible journey to the highest 7, 8, 9, Range of Writing: 9, SPEAKING AND LISTENING: Comprehen- sion and Collaboration 1, 2, 3, Presentation of Knowledge and Ideas 4, public office in the United States. Through the images 5, 6, LANGUAGE: Conventions of Standard English 1, 2 of courage, conviction, perseverance and ultimate 12 TEACHER ACTIVITY GUIDE The Historic Journey: “Yes We Can” © 2010 Holland and Associates; All rights reserved. sacrifices of individuals past and present,“An incredible require small group work or full class participation. journey of epic proportions unfolds”. Viewers are able Whichever options are selected as extension to experience the power of belief and the “audacity of activities after seeing the DVD will allow the hope” that President Obama wrote about in his book students an opportunity to relive a historic moment of the same title, The Audacity of Hope. in history. Barack Obama’s election marks a time The images in the DVD are set to the words and when Americans can address with pride how so many music of a gospel song, “Never Would Have Made It”. Americans from diverse backgrounds experienced This combination of music and visual images a movement that swept the nation. The African showcases the close connection between the African American journey has not come to an end because American experience and the music of its culture there is an African American in the White House. which often tells a story of struggle, reveals the mood By remembering past wrongs, discrimination and of its people and celebrates their current conditions injustices and remembering those who fought to make in the nation. The words to the song provide a a difference, we can begin to fulfill our nation’s future background for images that move from the continent goals and dreams by believing, “Yes We Can.” of Africa during the slave trade era, on to the modern NOTE: At the end of this lesson, there are three Civil Rights Movement and finally to the election of resources to use with the DVD with optional President Barack Obama as the 44th President of the extension activities. They are entitled: United States of America and the winner of the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize. The video ignites the inexpressible 1. Student generated ideas for use with the DVD gratitude and hope felt by a people who did not expect 2. Cross-curricular activities across subject areas to see this day in history come so soon. 3. Four other lesson ideas to use with students 4. Cross Curricular Extension activities – Doubtless, students know much more than most grades KG - 3 adults could possibly imagine they do about the campaign, the election, and the actual time that the ADDITIONAL LESSONS: President has spent in office since the inauguration. This first lesson was modified and served as a pilot The video looks beyond the political ideology of project for teachers, schools, districts and community Republican, Democratic or Independent principles groups to begin using this material. Other lessons and platforms which students and their parents may in the Teacher’s Guide cover more specific topics share. It opens a window of opportunity to feel the presented in the DVD related to African American overwhelming sense of joy that breaks forth when history, heritage and the 2008 election. These lessons a people receive a measure of vindication from past will provide background knowledge and activities injustices; it captures the strength that breaks forth that match academic standards and lead to a greater when others join in the celebration because these awareness of the African American experience in wrongs are somehow being addressed. This DVD also America’s history and its connection to President provides a platform for students and teachers to begin Obama’s historic journey. a common dialogue about the ideas and principles on which the nation is founded, that being … “all men KEY QUESTIONS: are created equal.” 1. Why was this election so special? This introductory lesson offers the option to 2. What hindered an African American from review and use ideas that other young people and becoming elected president of the United teachers have generated after viewing the DVD. It States before 2008? also presents an opportunity for students who view 3. What major milestones in America’s history the video for the first time to brainstorm their own led to President Obama being elected? ideas about what they could do to extend their own 4. Since the election is over, is it important to learning as a result of seeing the DVD.