Badger Wheelmen Pin Lesson Plan

ENDURING UNDERSTANDING

How do objects help us understand the story of Wisconsin?

ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS

Why do we save things?
What makes the things we save important?
What questions can objects help us answer?
How do we unlock the meanings of an object?

Wisconsin Standards for Social Studies

Social Studies Inquiry Practices and Processes

Gather and evaluate sources. (Inq2)
Develop claims using evidence to support reasoning. (Inq3)
Be civically engaged. (Inq5)

Behavioral Science

Investigate interactions between individuals and groups – Sociology. (BH2)
Examine the progression of specific forms of technology and their influence within various societies. (BH4)

Economics

Analyze how decisions are made and interactions occur among individuals, households, and firms/businesses – Microeconomics. (Econ2)
Evaluate government decisions and their impact on individuals, businesses, markets, and resources – Role of Government. (Econ4)

Geography

Evaluate the relationship between humans and the environment. (Geog2)

History

Analyze, recognize, and evaluate patterns of continuity and change over time and contextualization of historical events. (Hist2)
Connect past events, people, and ideas to the present, use different perspectives to draw conclusions, and suggest current implications. (Hist3)

Political Science

Examine and interpret rights, privileges, and responsibilities in society. (PS2)

Content Questions

Why would members want a Badger Wheelmen Pin? What were the benefits of belonging to a social club?
How did bicycle social clubs increase bicycle fans? Why was this good strategy to promote cycling?
How did bicycle culture change bicycle technology?
How did social clubs influence government to change laws? Who benefits and who does not benefit from laws changing?

Educational Goal Assessment

Summarize the importance of logos.
Articulate how advertising can increase interest.
Compare and contrast bikes of the past and bikes of today.
Select Wisconsin laws that make bicycling safe.

Suggested Performance Task

Activity #1, Logos and advertising

Have each student identify company logos on a worksheet, and have them identify where they see logos and why a company would put the logo on that object. (See form below) Have the class discuss why companies use logos to promote products and groups. Consider the importance of logos.

Activity #2, Bicycles Past and Present

Using the included slideshow, students complete the worksheet questions for each image. They will pick which bicycle is from the past and why. They will pick one difference and write why the change was made. They will pick one similarity and write why they think it stayed the same. (slide show and worksheet here)

Activity #3, Laws and Bicycling

Using the attached slide show have students indicate what laws are good and for whom and what laws were bad and for whom. (slide show and worksheet here)

Activity #4, Club Organizing

Divide students into groups of three or four. Each group selects a club they want to start and what activity it focuses on. Have them decide on a name and draw a logo. Have them write a list of rules members must follow and a list of events to promote the group and increase membership. Ask students to consider how the club rules and events might increase the popularity of the activity they chose.