World War I: Timeline and Rap

Date: N/A

Lesson Preparation
Topic/Day World War I Causes and Timeline

R.H9-10.1 Cite specific evidence to support analysis of primary and secondary

sources.
Standard(s)
R.H9-10.3 Analyze in detail a series of events described in a text; determine
whether earlier events caused later ones or simply preceded them.

TSW hypothesize the reasons for these countries entering WW1 by engaging
the interactive timeline and watching the video provided.
Objective(s)
(Bloom’s/DO
TSW reflect their understanding of the causes of WW1 by drafting two short
K)
essays based on their interpretation of the data provided from the video and
timeline.

Materials/
Resources/Sa Computers—for short essay, video, and interactive timeline
fety

Technology Computers

Vocabulary/
Academic Causes, Alliance, Ultimatum,
Language
Student
Group (whole class), Individuals
Grouping
Differentiate
d By using the rap video and using the timeline, students have more ways to
Instruction/ engage with the causes of WW1 than just the textbook readings.
Access for
All Students
Modification
Students who have IEPs will be required to produce shorter essays (2-3
s/
sentences).
Accommodat
ions
Ti
Learning-Teaching Process
me
Anticip

Activate
atory

Students will be engaged by the rap video playing for the first time in the 5
Set

Student
class (yes, it will get old eventually.) min
Interest
 5
Activate
min
Prior
Students will be asked what they know about the causes of WW1.
Knowledg
e

“I can” I can demonstrate my knowledge of the causes of WW1.

Formative Assessment Ti
Lesson Core
me

Watch the video and provide the link Ask who is confused and who 15
Content
for the timeline needs to watch the video again. min
Exploration

Emphasis the confusion that surrounds
the beginning of WW1 and its causes.
Modeling Discuss what countries were involved
at the very beginning. Also provide
the reasons the USA did not enter to
begin with.
Ask students the basic timeline 10
of how WW1 began and why min
the USA did not enter at first to
see who is digesting the info
and who needs more help.

Short group forum on the causes of

Guided
WW1 and the lasting effects of Franz Guide the discussion, correcting 15
Practice
Ferdinand’s assassination. incorrect information and min
pulling them away from
tangents.

Independent
Does everybody understand the
Practice
Essays with access to the timeline. assignment instructions? 35
min
 Essays can also be taken home to be
finished. Due next class

5
Ask students what they think about the beginning of WW1 and who was min
Closure
the main aggressor

Summative Assessment

There will be a summative assessment with a test that has essay questions that are similar to the
ones in this assignment.

After the Lesson

Lesson
Reflection

https://www.theworldwar.org/explore/interactive-wwi-timeline

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kCEUZ4rFiac

Short Essay Questions:

1.) In 4-6 sentences, explain why the origin of World War I’s start is still debated and argued about

today; then, in 1-2 sentences, describe what you think caused fighting more than anything else.

2.) In 4-6 sentences, why the killing of Franz Ferdinand so devastating to the Otto-Hungarian

Empire.