Grade Level: 3-5

Subject:
        Social Studies, Language Arts, Math

Learner Outcomes:
Learners will demonstrate their knowledge and text to self connections through journal entries.
Learners will determine a ratio and construct a scale model of the Great Wall.
Learners will be able to verbalize reasons for the construction of the Great Wall.

Duration of Lesson:
        3 separate 45 minute sessions.

Materials:
        Objects to create the Great Wall scale model (legos, sugar cubes)
 

Technology Tools/ Courseware:
        Computer, Internet, Television, VCR, Digital Camera
        Calculator

Teacher Notes:
Teacher will need to bookmark web sites to be used during this lesson.
Acceptable Use Policy in place for student internet activities.
Secure a large area in your school to build the models  of the Great Wall.
Be familiar with the dimensions of the Great Wall and prepare some possible ratios for
                the students.

Procedures:
        Session 1
               1. Show and discuss the radar image of The Great Wall of China to generate interest.
               2. If the students are unable to guess the image is the Great Wall, tell them and begin to
                   discuss background knowledge.
               3. Tell the students they will be participating in a virtual tour of the Great Wall during this
                    tour they will need to take notes on information they feel is important.
       Session 2
               4. After the class has completed the tour, conduct a whole group discussion of facts and
                   information gathered during the tour.
               5. Teacher will then discuss ratios for scale models with the class such as 1:16. (for example
                    train sets)
               6. The class will be divided into cooperative learning groups and asked to construct a
                    model the length of the Great Wall. Allow the students to use calculator to calculate a
                    scale.
       Session 3
               7. After the construction of class models.  The students will compose a journal
                   entry including interesting facts, impression, and the reasons behind the construction of
                   the Great Wall.
               8. Students who finish early may be asked to take photos of the completed projects using the
                   digital camera.

Modifications:
Students will participate in the virtual tour with the a partner.
Journals may be illustrated based on students skills.

Enrichment Activities:
        Students will create a file storing the photos taken during the activity.  These
        photos will be used to create a Power Point presentation as a summary of this
        unit.

Evaluation/Assessment:
        Formative- Teacher observations during the class discussion and the
                          construction of the Great Wall model.

        Summate- Teacher will assess individual journal entries using a rubric.

West Virginia Instructional Goals and Objectives:
           Language Arts
                 3.43, 3.27, 4.50, 4.26, 5.16, 5.27, 5.62
          Math
                 3.42, 3.39, 4.41, 4.44, 5.36, 5.53
          Social Studies
                 3.40, 4.53, 4.39

National Standards:
         Language Arts
                1.  Gathers and uses information for research purposes
                2.  Uses viewing skills and strategies to understand and interpret visual media
        Math
                1.  Understands and applies basic and advanced properties of the concepts of measurement
                2.  Uses a variety of strategies in the problem solving process
        Social Studies
                1.  Understands selected attributes and historical developments of societies in Africa, the
                     Americas, Asia, and Europe

References:
        Great Wall Virtual Tour
       Great Wall Radar Image
       Secrets of the Great Wall
       Walk the Great Wall
         Book References
             The Great Wall by Elizabeth Mann ISBN 0965049329

Author:
         Marguin Godfrey, French Creek Elementary School
         Jody Johnson, French Creek Elementary School
         Ronna Smallridge, French Creek Elementary School