"Revisiting the Titanic"

GOALS:

1. Write one thoughtful entry in journal.

2. Work collaboratively during research time to answer provided questions and illustrate expertise of the assigned topic via presentations, games, skits, etc.

3. Develop a general sense of the Titanic tragedy through peer instruction and group research.

RESOURCES:

1. Possible Internet Sites:

2. Ballard, Robert D. (1988). Exploring the Titanic. Singapore: Madison Press Books.

3. School library

4. Guided Question Sheets for each group

5. Movie: A Night to Remember (1958)

TIME:

The entire lesson will take between 5 hours and 20 minutes to 6 hours and 55 minutes. (Part 1 [2 hours, 35 minutes to 2 hours, 50 minutes]; Part 2 [1 hour, 10 minutes to 1 hour, 35 minutes]; Part 3 [1 hour, 35 minutes to 2 hours, 20 minutes])

PROCEDURE:

Introduction:

No one ever dreamed the Titanic could ever sink. Despite the fact that there is a tremendous amount of research available on this tragedy, so much is left uncovered. The students now have the opportunity to become Titanic investigators.

Part 1:

Step 1- Watch the movie: A Night to Remember (1958)

Step 2- Discuss reactions to the movie. What are things the students already knew prior to watching the movie? What did they learn? What do they still want to learn? Do the students believe the information given in the movie is legitimate? Talk about the students' own adventures on ships/cruises. Would they have left family behind in order to be saved themselves? Have the students do a journal entry on their reactions to the movie.

Part 2:

Step 3- Teacher will pose the question of what month and day did the Titanic sink. Have students write their answer on a notecard and direct students to line up in chronological order. At this point the teacher can divide the class into seven groups (sectioning them from the front of the line to the back).

Step 4- Each group is assigned a topic in which they are to discover information on the guided questions which are to be handed out at this time. Students are not limited to this research, this is only a guideline.

Step 5- The students may use the Internet and resoueces in the school library to thoroughly investigate their topic.

Part 3:

Step 6- Each group will report their findings to the class in whatever style they choose (game, skit, oral presentation, etc.)

Step 7- Class will be redivided into five teams (This is to prevent the situation in which one team would dominate in only one of the researched areas.)

Step 8- Each member of a team has a number (1-5). Each team has a symbol (circle, square, heart, triangle, etc.).

Step 9- The teacher asks questions based on the students' presentations of their research. The game will begin by having all the number ones answering the first question.

Step 10- The students write their answer down on a note card.

Step 11- After a 15 second time constraint the students hold up their answers together.

Step 12- The game proceeds by all the number two members answering the next question and so on.

Step 13- Students hand in their starred notecards.

ASSESSMENT:

3. Teacher assesses students general knowledge of the Titanic tragedy via a game. (Criteria for success= X number of starred notecards out of X number of questions asked; varies)

CURRICULAR STRANDS AND MAJOR CONCEPTS:

*See the guide questions for more details of how the concepts are used.

1. Language Arts- Speaking during presentation of information, writing in journals after the movie, researching/reading about the Titanic, writing responses to the guide questions, writing responses during the game at the end of the day.

2. Math- The "Structure Group" has to find the ship's dimensions, where the Titanic sank, etc. Many of the groups have to research the number of passengers, crew members, and lifeboats in order to determine if it was possible to save everyone based on how many people can fit in the lifeboats, etc.

3. Science- Groups need to find out how the Titanic sank (water pressure, glaciers, technology used to gather facts of the Titanic).

4. Social Studies- The cultures of the passengers on the ship, dates of the findings, and historical events of the time, etc.

POSSIBLE EXTENSIONS:

1. Draw to scale the Titanic.

2. Research its sister ships: The Britanic and the Olympic.

3. Research Thomas Andrews, the builder of the Titanic.

4. Write a creative story with a different ending about the Titanic's destination.

5. Contact a museum that has done research on the Titanic to get more information.

6. Write a letter to one of the Titanic survivors.