Slate 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

Communicate and critique conclusions. (Inq4)

Behavioral Science

Examine individual cognition, perception, behavior, and identity (Psychology). (BH1)
Examine the progression of specific forms of technology and their influence within various societies. (BH4)

Economics

Use economic reasoning to understand issues. (Econ1)
Analyze how decisions are made and interactions occur among individuals, households, and firms/businesses (Microeconomics). (Econ2)

History

Use historical evidence for determining cause and effect. (Hist1)
Connect past events, people, and ideas to the present, use different perspectives to draw conclusions, and suggest current implications. (SS.Hist3)

Content Questions

Why do some people benefit from good penmanship? What are the benefits of penmanship?
How did slates assist in the learning process? Why was this good school tool to promote learning?
How did technology change how we learn in school?
How did technology change the importance of penmanship?

Educational Goal Assessment

Summarize the importance of handwriting.
Articulate how school supplies have changed today.
Compare and contrast school supplies of the past and of today.

Suggested Performance Task

Activity #1, Writing Wars!

Have students practice writing the alphabet and numbers one to ten in The Palmer Method and the Zaner-Bloser Method. After writing in both ways have the class make a plus and minus list for each method? Have the students vote on which method they like and why. See Writing Wars Worksheet 1 and Writing Wars Worksheet 2.

Activity #2, Handwriting, Why?

Divide students into pairs or groups of four. Have them make a list of where neat handwriting is important and why. Using the slideshow have the students think about why handwriting is important in these settings. Have the students record it on their worksheet and have the class share their ideas. (Handwriting, Why? Attachment)

Activity #3, Memorization versus Recording

Students that used slates needed to remember their lessons, as they did not have a record of their work. Present the information on one of the following lessons allow the students to complete the lesson, collect the work, and then quiz the classroom on the lesson. After the short quiz have the students record the pluses and minuses of learning like those children. Lastly have the students think about what school supplies they use now that help them learn. (Handwriting, Memorization vs. Recording Attachment)