Titanic Presentation Longwood University: STEM Problem Based Unit Plan: "I" Witness to History

Saturday, May 31, 2014 I will be sharing my ideas with other educators on teaching research using a STEM Problem Based Unit, which I created using the historic Titanic disaster.   My original idea back in 2011 was to try to try and re-engage students who refused to participate in the research process.  Now, three years later, my Titanic unit truly captures student interest in the research process by immersing students in everything Titanic.  I am excited to share what I have created with not only my fellow Virginia educators, but also with those of you out in the blogosphere.

Checkout out the NEW material that has been added to our newest page: STEM Problem Based Unit Plan: "I" Witness to History. We also have additional information on the Titanic Research Project-Student Writing 2012 and 2013 Page.  We continue to tweak this project and thereby consider this a work in process, and we still are finding new resources and ideas to try so don't be surprised to see that we are adding information on a continuous basis,.  There are some great links and PowerPoint presentations to aid in teaching the research process located on this site and should you use  any of these resources your feedback is greatly appreciated.  Visit STEM Problem Based Unit Plan: "I" Witness to History, as well as, Titanic Research Project-Student Writing 2012 and 2013, and be sure to let us, here at The Things You Can Read, know if these resources are useful!

Check out Stunning Images of the Titanic: HERE

Happy Reading!
The Things You Can Read

Believe In Truth, Beauty, Freedom, Love, and the Power of Books!

Titanic Research Project: Building Background Knowledge

Checkout out the NEW material that has been added to Titanic Research Project-Student Writing 2012 and 2013 Page.  We will be sharing our Research Journey with you in the coming days, weeks, and months.  Here is a sample of how we kicked the unit off.  Visit Titanic Research Project-Student Writing 2012 and 2013.  Let us, here at The Things You Can Read, know if these resources are useful!

Titanic Research Unit

Building Background Knowledge

Day 1

Give each student a piece of yellow "Legal Paper". Ask them to fold it in half

Left side

What Do You Know About the Titanic?

Right Side

What Do I Want to Know About the Titanic?

Give students about 5 minutes to complete and then have them share in groups or as a class.  You decide!

NEXT

Have students read an excerpt from Exploring the Titanic by Robert D. Ballard-often an excerpt is found in literature books for middle school aged children.  

Before reading share with students background information on Robert D. Ballard

LINK 1 Bio of Robert D. Ballard

LINK 2 National Geographic Robert D. Ballard

LINK 3 More about Robert D. Ballard

Discuss the excerpt

NEXT

Discuss/Review the Genre: Historical Fiction 
Read Prologue of Titanic: Unsinkable Book 1 by Gordon Korman 

Summary Courtesy of Goodreads...

Unsinkable (Titanic #1)

by Gordon Korman

 3.79  ·   rating details  ·  638 ratings  ·  116 reviews

The ultimate action/adventure trilogy begins, with #1 bestselling author Gordon Korman plunging readers into the heart of the Titanic.

The Titanic is meant to be unsinkable, but as it begins its maiden voyage, there's plenty of danger waiting for four of its young passengers. Paddy is a stowaway, escaping a deadly past. Sophie's mother is delivered to the ship by police - after she and Sophie have been arrested. Juliana's father is an eccentric whose riches can barely hide his madness. And Alfie is hiding a secret that could get him kicked off the ship immediately.
The lives of these four passengers will be forever linked with the fate of Titanic. And the farther they get from shore, the more the danger looms.

Lastly,

Have students add to their "Legal Paper" on either or both sides

What new questions does this create?

What did they learn that they didn't know before reading this excerpt

Share what students have added as a class discussion

Check out Stunning Images of the Titanic: HERE

Worksheets for Building Background Knowledge: Click HERE

Happy Reading!
The Things You Can Read

Believe In Truth, Beauty, Freedom, Love, and the Power of Books!

Teaching the Research Process

Checkout out the NEW material that has been added to Titanic Research Project-Student Writing 2012 and 2013 Page.  Although this is a work in process, and we are still adding information there are some great links and PowerPoint presentations to aid in teaching the research process .  Visit Titanic Research Project-Student Writing 2012 and 2013.  Let us, here at The Things You Can Read, know if these resources are useful!

Check out Stunning Images of the Titanic: HERE

Happy Reading!
The Things You Can Read

Believe In Truth, Beauty, Freedom, Love, and the Power of Books!