Description
Overview of Unit
This unit connects learning with technology to Social Studies. This is perfect for technology class or for use in a Social Studies or History classroom that wants to incorporate technology with a lesson. No download is required to use either Adobe Express (www.adobe.com/express) or Canva (www.canva.com) – both free products, making it easy for teachers who are not able to download software on classroom computers to still give their students a choice in learning. Alternatively, this lesson can be completed using MS Word/PowerPoint or Google Docs/Slides if the teacher prefers.
To begin the lesson, students complete a webquest to learn about the Civil War. Student handouts in both print and digital formats are included, along with an answer key for easy grading. Additionally, a wordsearch puzzle with answer key is included, perfect for early finishers or to include with the lesson.
Next, students are provided with a quick tutorial for both Canva and Adobe Express, as well as links to other resources to help them with their project. The tutorials are intended to help students get started with the program and then use the resources within the program to refine their creations. Students create a timeline about the history of the civil war after conducting research. They use that information along with graphics, pictures and backgrounds from the Internet and also supplied in Adobe Express or Canva to create a finished presentation that explains the timeline of events during the Civil War and add their own opinions and insights to the project.
This is an excellent creative project to add to a unit on the Civil War or other social studies lessons on the growth and development of the United States. The project was created for grades 6-8 but could easily be used with upper elementary or high school students.
Materials Required
- Access to computers for each student (or pair of students)
- Internet access
Project Duration (approximate)
- Introduction to the Lesson: Review expectations, overview of the program .5-1 (50 minute class period)
- WebQuest – 1 (50 minute) class period
- Word Search Puzzle – approximately 15-20 minutes
- Student research and timeline creation: 3-5 (50 minute) class periods
- Presentations to the class of each project (optional): Time will vary depending on class size and time allotted for discussion of each presentation.
Files Included with this Lesson
- Teacher & Student Notes and Resources
- WebQuest with Answer Key (digital and print versions)
- Word Search Puzzle with Answer Key
- Student Timeline Project Expectations and Grading Rubric
- Getting Started Tutorial for Adobe Express
- Getting Started Tutorial for Canva
Total Pages = 19
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