Lesson+Plan+2

// Take a few moments to read through this lesson plan and share insights at your table. //

__ Lesson Plan #2 __
Place a piece of blue painter's tape across the classroom floor. Place a piece of paper with the word "Liberal" on one side of the room and "Conservative" on the other. Have students line up on the tape across the room on a spectrum of where they think they fall in terms of conservative being at one end and liberal being at the other end with no discussion of why they think they fall where they do. Take a digital photo or video of where each person falls to use later in the lesson.

Number students off by fours from the line where they have placed themselves so that each group has students from all ends of the spectrum.

Have each group scour the internet, resources, etc. for accurate information about the differences between liberal and conservative viewpoints. Since each group is made up of students who fall on both sides of the spectrum, remind them that their task is not only to find information but to also check their classmates to ensure that the group takes an objective approach.

Each group will share our their information in a visual manner that suits the team's learning style: digital, physical, etc. Students will present to each other, ask questions, share insights.

Students will be asked again to line up on the spectrum from conservative to liberal. The teacher will facilitate a conversation around the following questions:
 * Did you move? If so, why?
 * What did you learn from your research?
 * What did you learn from your teammates?
 * Look at the original photograph? What do you think accounts for the fact that several people/few people moved?
 * What questions do you still have that you would like for us to explore in this unit?
 * How do you think the values of our political parties in the United States are reflected in the attributes you presented in your research?

Students will complete a personal ticket out the door reflection on their biggest "a-ha" moment from this activity.

Initial Reactions

 * === What are your initial reactions to this lesson? ===
 * === Where do you see examples of this kind of learning taking place in your classrooms? ===
 * === How do we encourage teachers to move toward incorporating opportunities for collaboration, communication, critical thinking, and //"connectivism"// in their classrooms? ===
 * === Let's address the elephant in the room: What are the concerns or fears teachers raise about this type of lesson? How can we address these concerns? ===

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