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Table of Contents
Pg 1 Overview
Pg 2 SS Standards
Pg 3 English, Language Arts Standards
Pg 4 Writing Standards
Pg 5 Introduction
Pg 6 How can you help?
Pg 7 Task
Pg 8 Jobs
Pg 9 People
Pg 10 Events
Pg 11 Everyday life
Pg 12 Technology
Pg 13 Additional Resources
Pg 14 Process
Pg 15 Evaluation
Pg 16 Conclusion
Pg 17 Credits
Overview Introduction
Task
Jobs
Process
Evaluation Conclusion Credits
Pg 1
Overview
 This
social studies/language arts
web-based project challenges
students to become newspaper
reporters who research and
describe the events leading up to
and during the U.S. involvement in
World War I.
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World War I Standards 5th Grade
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English, Language Arts Standards
5th Grade
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Writing Standards 5th Grade
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Introduction – World War I
World War I began in 1914. During this time, tension was
rising in the European countries because they were competing for land
and power. There was a great deal of turmoil. On June 28, 1914, Franz
Ferdinand, soon to be King of a powerful European country called
Austria-Hungary, was assassinated by a Serbian man. As a result,
Austria-Hungary declared war against Serbia, another powerful
European country.
The other countries throughout Europe began choosing sides,
which resulted in the formation of the Allied Forces versus the Central
Powers.
World War I, or The Great War, involved many countries, and
even eventually, included the United States.
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How can you help?
The year is 1917 and the staff at the Tritt Tribune is working
very hard to report on all of the events happening during World War
I. The United States has entered this difficult war and people
throughout this nation want to understand why the U.S. has entered
the war and how the war is progressing.
Now the newspaper needs to hire many editors to help
report these world events. The Tritt Tribune is looking for talented
editors who will bring the information to the readers with their
creative reporting, writing, and research skills. The newspaper needs
interesting articles and photographs to help the people understand
the proceedings of World War I.
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Task
You and your team have been hired by the Tritt
Tribune to bring your expert research and editing skills to
the newspaper. They are counting on you to do your best
to inform the public of the events that brought the U.S.
into World War I and to help the people understand how
the war is progressing.
Each member of your team will be assigned a
different topic in which you will become the expert. Your
job is to research what is happening in your area of
expertise and write a news article that will inform and
educate your news readers.
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. Click
Jobs
on the pictures below for your specific job assignment
events
people
technology
everyday life
People-There were many important people during
WWI. Your job is to research some of these people to
learn about the roles they played in this war.
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Franz Ferdinand
President Woodrow Wilson
U. S. Soldiers
The Unknown Soldier
Winston Churchill
John J. Pershing
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Important events – There were many important events leading to U.S.
involvement in WWI and important events during the war. Your job is to find out how
the U.S. became involved in the war and report on how the war progressed from the
U.S. perspective.
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Ferdinand Franz assassination – July 28, 1914
Causes of WWI
Lusitania
The Zimmerman Telegram
November 11, 1918 – The War ends
Versailles Treaty
WWI Brainpop video
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The Everyday Life in the Early 1900s-What was life like for the citizens
of the U.S.? Your job is to research some part of the average American’s life
and write your article relating this information in a creative way.
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Victorian Homes
1900 vs Now
America At Work
America at School
America at Leisure
Style of dress
1915
Babe Ruth begins
baseball 1914
Victorian Home of 1900s
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Technology-There were many new technological advances
during this war. Research one of these advances and write your
article detailing how this new technology was used during the
war effort.
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Technology in 1900
The German U-Boat
Zeppelin
Airplanes
Zeppelin
Tanks
Poison Gas
U Boat
Tank
WWI airplane
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Additional resources you may find
helpful:
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PBS
U.S. enters the war
Freedom: A History of Us
Firstworldwar.com
Process
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You and your teammates need to follow these steps to ensure the best possible newspaper
project:
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Read your job description – ask the chief editor (teacher) if you have any questions about your
topic.
Read the evaluation before you begin your research and your article.
Review all of the sources provided as well as any addition sources you find yourself.
Use index cards to write down important facts, dates, and other information you want to
include in your report. Be sure to copy and save pictures that will enhance your report.
When you have enough information gathered, you may begin to write the rough draft of your
news article. Remember that your article should inform readers, but still be interesting to read.
Work with your team by reading the rough drafts together and listen to each others’
suggestions for improvement.
Your team should check each others’ work for spelling, punctuation, and grammatical errors.
Write a second draft that includes all of your changes, ideas, and corrections.
With your teammates, use Microsoft Publisher to select a newsletter format for your
newspaper. You will each need to type your news story. Work together to select Clip Art,
pictures, and other visual graphics to make your project original and professional. Don’t forget
to save your work every few minutes.
When your team has finished, present your project to the class. Make sure each reporter on
your team has an important part in this presentation.
Submit your newspaper to the chief editor (your teacher) for evaluation.
After you have completed your newspaper, answer the questions on the Conclusion page.
Think about your project and answer the questions on the Conclusion page.
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Accomplished editor
Required
Elements
(20 points)
Writing Skills
(20 points)
Technology
Skills
(20 points)
Presentation
(20 points)
Team
Cooperation
(20 points)
Developing Editor
Beginning Editor
All required details were
covered thoroughly and the
editor took a great interest in
the topic.
Most of the required
details were covered.
Some ideas could be
explained in greater
Some required elements may be
missing. More time researching the topic
is needed to make this a final draft.
The writing is pleasant and
easy to read. It is informative
yet entertaining. Three or
fewer errors made in
structure, grammar, or
spelling.
The writing is
informative. The editor
could spend more time
developing the
creativity or structure of
the writing. Three to six
errors in the piece
The writing is off to a good start. More
revision is needed to make this piece a
final draft. Six or more errors may
interfere with the meaning or enjoyment
of the writing. Work with a partner and
the teacher to revise.
Technology was used
appropriately and
successfully. The product is
professional and new skills
were gained in the process.
The editor gained new
technology skills from
completing the project.
The finished product
may be basic or need a
few changes to make it
professional.
The editor had a meaningful
role in the group
presentation. The speaker
was prepared and confident.
The editor had a limited
role in the group
presentation. Continue
practicing speaking
skills.
The editor had little or no part in the
presentation of the project. More
planning and practice is needed.
My team worked well
together. If there were
problems, they were
resolved quickly and without
much teacher intervention.
My team struggled at
times, but it did not
have a negative impact
on the final product. We
resolved conflicts
eventually and may
have needed some
assistance .
My team struggled to work together and
this made the project difficult to
complete. Some problems are
unresolved. The group will need more
time and teacher conferences to resolve
differences and complete the task.
The editor is learning to use the
technology required for the project.
Some one-on-one assistance may be
needed to gain the skills necessary to
create the finished product.
Self
Evaluation
Chief Editor
Evaluation
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Conclusion
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Explain the causes of World War I.
Why did the U. S. finally decide to enter this war?
How did the use of new technologies during World War I influence the war?
What did you learn about technology while completing this project?
How might you use these technology skills in the future?
Describe one challenge you and your teammates had to overcome to
accomplish this task. You may focus on any part of the project.
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credits
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www.google.com
www.yahooligans.com
Travel Back in Time to the Roaring
Twenties, Webquest by Gretchen Hornsby
Google Images