Lesson Title Its a small world after all!

Grade Level 7



Standards:
TN State standard 7.74 Examine the impact of the exchanges of plants, animals,
technology, culture, ideas, and diseases among Europe, Africa, Asia, and the
Americas in the 15th and 16th centuries and the major economic and social
effects on each continent. (C, E, G, H)
TN State standard 7.75 Write an opinion piece with supporting details that
describes the effects of exploration on the indigenous American cultures. (C, H)

ISTE Standard 3.b Locate, organize, analyze, evaluate, synthesize, and ethically
use information from a variety of sources and media
ISTE Standard 4. c. Collect and analyze data to identify solutions and/or make
informed decisions.



Objectives:
Identify major components of social and cultural change in the 15
th
and 16
centuries as a result of exploration and colonization.
Explain aspects of social and cultural exchange in the 15
th
and 16
th
century in a
well-crafted oral presentation.
Complete Think Sheet to begin analyzing your knowledge and forming opinions.
Create a PowerPoint presentation aid to supplement oral presentation and present
ideas.


Materials:
Computer access
Internet access:
http://public.gettysburg.edu/~tshannon/hist106web/site19/
http://bookbuilder.cast.org/view_print.php?book=63595
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft Word (for presentation notes)


Problem statement:

Again, you find yourself on the crew of a famous explorer. Only now, you are retired and
can look back on a life of adventure and discovery! The royal scribe is compiling stories
and information to include in the history books for centuries to come. What important
things did you experience? What were some positive and negative aspects of the cultural
diffusion that took place? How will it change the world for generations to come?



Lesson description

I. Entire Class participation 15-20 minutes
1. Teacher shows a world map on the board with different colors and graphics
depicting the routes of various explorers across the globe during the Age of
Exploration. Teacher asks for brief descriptions of some of the major explorers
and their contributions (to draw on prior knowledge and a previous lesson!).
Teacher will then ask students to define cultural diffusion. Teacher will guide the
students to a definition through examples and then ask questions to prompt
application and evaluation (Blooms taxonomy).

2. Students begin work on Think Sheet. Provide meaningful answers to be used as
part of notes for the oral presentation.

II. Computer Work 30-40 minutes
3. Students will research cultural diffusion and the exchange of ideas and goods
across the continents on the computer. Research is advised but not limited to these
sites:
http://bookbuilder.cast.org/view_print.php?book=63595
http://public.gettysburg.edu/~tshannon/hist106web/site19/

4. In a word processor document, evaluate the benefits and drawbacks of cultural
diffusion and the Columbian exchange as part of your oral presentation.

5. Students will create a PowerPoint presentation as a supplement to their oral
presentation. Student should use pictures and examples of ideas and points in the
oral presentation.

III. Post computer work completion 10-15 min (perhaps next class period)
6. Students complete think sheet and polish/practice oral presentation alongside
PowerPoint presentation.

III. Presentation/Inquiry 50-60 minutes (next class period
7. Students will present to the class briefly and then answer questions and defend
their explorer before the court (the class) and the monarch (the teacher).


Task list
Research cultural diffusion on these websites:
http://bookbuilder.cast.org/view_print.php?book=63595
http://public.gettysburg.edu/~tshannon/hist106web/site19/
Create a PowerPoint presentation with a picture and pertinent information about
your chosen explorer.
Information should include but is not limited to: names of key explorers and
voyages, types of goods, animals, diseases, and the effects, both positive and
negative.
Create a word document as an outline for your oral presentation about the effects
of cultural diffusion in the 15
th
and 16
th
centuries.
Be prepared to answer questions from your peers about your opinions and
analyses.




Assessment rubric

Criteria Needs Improvement Satisfactory Excellent

Complete Think
Sheet
Think Sheet not
completed. Answers
not thought out in
meaningful manner.
Think sheet
completed. Answers
are satisfactory with
some thought.
Think Sheet
completed with well
thought answers
and evidence.
Give an oral
presentation with
word processed
outline/notes.
Lackluster
presentation skills.
Weak analyses and
evidence.
Decent presentation
skills with OK
evidence and
analyses presented.
Good presentation
skills with solid
evidence and
analyses presented.
Create a
PowerPoint as a
presentation
supplement/aid
PowerPoint not well
formatted.
PowerPoint too
distracting from
oral presentation.
Does not
supplement oral
presentation well.
PowerPoint looks
OK.
PowerPoint needs
some more work or
needs fewer
distractors.
Works Ok as a
supplement to oral
presentation.
PowerPoint is well
formatted.
Contains good
information/ideas.
PowerPoint is good
supplement to the
oral presentation.











Think Sheet: Its a small world after all!

1. What is cultural diffusion?








2. What was the Columbian exchange?








3. What are some positive outcomes of cultural diffusion?








4. What are some negative outcomes of cultural diffusion?








5. What are some examples or vehicles of cultural diffusion today?