1. Research unit (pbl)

2. Unit overview
Overview of research topics & tie to problem-based learning
Choose topic
Introduction to research (lesson)
Research guide, Google Scholar, Citation pages (lesson)
Independent research and reading
Mini-lessons relevant to common themes as needed
Product choice and plan
Presentation

3. Overview of Research topics & PBL
Problem-Based Learning: an approach to research that engages students by having them examine real-world problems.
Research Topics:
Social Movements
Genocide
Mover’s & Shakers
PBL – Your goal is to figure out what you already know about your chosen topic, what you need to know, and how and where to access information that might help resolve the issue you are researching.
One of your end goals will be to write a position letter on your topic to your state representative (you will do this through Social Studies).

4. Project Timeline & expectations
At the end of class, turn in your top three topic choices.
Once assigned, your parent must sign off on your topic
You must check out and read a book related to your topic.
You may chose historical fiction, nonfiction, or biography
You are expected to finish your book by May 22.
You will have 4-5 days to research your topic (week of May 8)
You will have 4 days to create your product/presentation (week of May 15)
Products/presentations will be due May 22.
LATE PROJECTS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.
Presentations will begin on May 23.
You must present on your assigned day.

5. Topics: Social movements
Definition of Social Movement:
Type of large group action -- Individuals or organizations working together, formally or informally
Focus on specific political or social issues
Goal is to bring about social change
Types of Social Movements
Reform – goal is to change elements of a system for the better
Revolution – goal is to get rid of the old system and replace it
Reactionary – goal is to “roll back” change to more traditional structures
Resistance – goal is to resist change that is currently taking place
Utopian – goal is to move society toward a state of perfection

6. Examples: Social Movements
Women’s Rights (1848; 1st, 2nd, or 3rd waves)
Civil Rights (19th century, , 1950 – present)
LGBT (lesbian/gay/bisexual/transgender)
( , , present)
Immigration ( , , present)
Human Rights (1899 Hague Convention* to 1930s, 1940-present)
Environmentalism (1940s – present)
*a series of international treaties and declarations negotiated at an international peace conference – first time humans were granted rights independent of their state.

7. Topics: Overview of Genocide
United Nations definition of genocide:
The Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, adopted in 1948, declared that genocide was any of the following acts committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnic, racial or religious group, as such:
Killing members of the group
Causing serious bodily or mental harm to members of the group.
Deliberately inflicting on the group conditions of life calculated to bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part.
Imposing measures intended to prevent births within the group.
Forcibly transferring children of the group to another group.

8. Examples of Genocides Cambodia (1975-1979) Bosnia (1992-1995)
Armenia ( )
Sudan-Darfur (2003 – present)
Ukraine/Holomador ( )
Syria ( present)
Lithuania ( )
Nanking ( )
Holocaust ( )
Cultural Revolution/Mao Tse-Tung’s China ( )
Rwanda (1994)
Herero ( )

9. Topics: Overview of “Movers & Shakers”
Definition of “mover and shaker”:
A powerful person who initiates events and influences people.
Could be an author, activist, artist, survivor, victim, or witness
Choosing a mover or shaker
You should choose someone associated with a specific movement or genocide. A list will be provided.
If you choose a “mover and shaker” for your project, you will also need to know (and present) the basics of the movement/event with which they are associated.

10. Wrap-up: choose your topic
On a half sheet of paper, write your name and class period.
Write down your top THREE choices for a topic.
Be as specific as you can! Look over the class list of topics, then…
If you know which specific movement, write it down
Hint: It would be a good idea to also focus on one time period!!!!
If you know a specific “mover and shaker”, write it down
If you know which specific genocide, write it down
If you have a proposal for a topic that you are strongly interested in that is not on the class list, put it as your *FOURTH* choice and we will consider it – no promises!
Choices are due BEFORE you leave class today!