Education:Technology’s Impact on Where and How We Live

Grade/Subject

Grade 9 / World History / Technology

Time Required for Completed Lesson

30 minutes for introduction and 40 minutes for presentations (optional), time will vary based on size of class; work can be completed in class or out of class.

NJCCCS

6.2.12.B.6.a, 6.2.12.D.3.b

Common Core State Standards

RH.11-12.7. Integrate and evaluate multiple sources of information presented in diverse formats and media (e.g., visually, quantitatively, as well as in words) in order to address a question or solve a problem. RH.11-12.9. Integrate information from diverse sources, both primary and secondary, into a coherent understanding of an idea or event, noting discrepancies among sources.

Materials

Computer lab or laptop cart if working on assignment in class; lap top with projector required for presentations; digital cameras for students without access.

Anticipatory Set

Open with class discussion on developments in housing. Where do people live? Where have people lived? Post or draw a picture of a cave on the board (you can include pictures of cave paintings around the cave.) Four or five students form a line at board and sequentially sketch dwellings for the class to discuss. Dwellings should or could include tents, hovels, wooden structures (ie. log cabins,) stone structures (ie. castles,) single family homes, tract or row houses, and larger multiple floor apartment buildings. What factors have influenced people’s housing choices? Discussion can include the environment, population growth and especially new technologies. What is the impact of a person’s home on their life?

Procedures

After introducing the topic to the students, distribute rubrics and discuss their assignment. Their task begins with independently finding and photographing three different unique homes in their neighborhood. Be prepared to show students examples (printed out or projected – see resources.) Students have two weeks to write a paper that answers the following questions: What technological advancements are unique to each building and how do you think each physical building influences the lives of the people who live there? The students are to use their photographs and related research to answer the questions. Optionally students can additionally present information from their paper to the class.

Accommodations

This lesson/assignment can be completed in small groups with some modification. Some students may benefit from turning in or reviewing work with at predetermined points during the course of a long term or written research assignment. Be prepared to share additional notes with students and if necessary extend due dates.