Final Project Lesson Plan

Name of lesson: Animating Events in the Civil War.

Grade Level Appropriateness: 7th Grade U.S. History Class.

Technology Content Standard Addressed:

Nevada Computer and Technology Standard #1 Creativity and Innovation 1.B.12.1:

Students will create an original work using digital tools, including planning, research,
editing, and production.
Nevada Computer and Technology Standard #1 Creativity and Innovation 1.A.8.1:
Apply existing knowledge to independently generate new ideas, products, or processes with
digital tools.
Nevada Computer and Technology Standard #2 Communication and Collaboration
2.A.2.1: Students will work in classroom groups to create and publish digital products.
Nevada Computer and Technology Standard #3 Research and Information Fluency
3.B.8.2: Use digital tools to organize information with main ideas and supporting
documentation.

Other Content Standard Addressed:

K-12 NV in Social Studies Peoples and Ideas SS.6-8.C.15: Evaluate the causes and effects
of regional differences in early U.S. history
K-12 NV in Social Studies Justify Causation and Argumentation SS.6-8.C.25.: Organize
applicable evidence into a coherent argument regarding the causes and consequences of
events throughout U.S. History

Objective: In this project, students will learn to combine technology and history. Using their
understanding of the GoAnimate program, they will create a comprehensive and planned out
presentation on one of five topics supplied by the teacher. While gathering the skills to make a
storyboard, write a script, and animate a 1:30 to 2:00 minute video, they will also learn about a
monumental moment in history on an in-depth basis.
Materials needed to facilitate the lesson: GoAnimate for Schools, Google Chrome or other
web browser, Adobe Flash Player, and a Word Processing Program.
Suggested group size: Groups of 4; team roles include writer, story board creator, animator,
and audio specialist.
Procedures:
First, split the students into groups of four. The tables are already set up in groups of four, so
these will be the groups the students will work in.
Explain the positions of the group (Writer, Story Board Creator, Animator, and Audio
Specialist)
 Assign each team two computers in the computer lab. Make sure to give the children easy
access to the GoAnimate program.
Have each group choose an important part of the Civil War. Topics include: Inauguration of
Abraham Lincoln, Shermans March to the Sea, Battle of Bull Run 1 & 2, Battle of
Gettysburg, and the surrender of the Confederation. These topics will be distributed on a
first come first serve basis.
Once all topics are assigned, show the GoAnimate tutorial on the projector for the children to
see. In tutorial mode, the program should show you everything you need to do, meaning that
even if you have limited knowledge on the program it should teach the children what they
need to know.
Ensure that all children turn in a storyboard BEFORE working on the animation. While one
child may be in charge of the storyboard, all members of the team are expected to work on
this part of the assignment.
After receiving the storyboard, have the children write out exactly what they are going to put
on each slide. These should be short sentences that get the point across and fit in line with the
storyboard. The writer must also work with the group to create a verbal introduction that
should last one to two minutes.
The lead animator, after approval from the teacher, should begin putting together the
animation. They have two options: a classic animation or a whiteboard style animation. Both
are provided with the GoAnimate program. Either option must run for 1:30 to 2:00 minutes.
The sound designer must work with the animator to find the right music, sound effects, or
voice recordings they would like to use. GoAnimate comes with an extensive library of
sound effects and music that the students are open to using. If they want to use their own
music, they have the option of importing audio files. However, this music must be approved
before hand and be royalty-free to ensure that the school does not suffer from any copyright
issues.
Once the video is completed, the students will E-Mail the link to the teacher so they can
access it for presentations. The groups will present on a volunteer basis. The animation will
be displayed on the overhead projector alongside their one to two minute speech.
Assessment: Students will be evaluated based on their adherence to the provided instructions.
For full credit on this assignment, students must have produced a RELEVANT and unique
introduction, a 1:30 to 2:00 minute animation using the GoAnimate program, have covered the
provided topic, and shown creativity and originality in their animation. Points will be deducted
based on certain factors. If the video goes under 1:30 minutes or over 2:00 minutes, students will
be deducted 2 points for every 10 seconds they are off the mark. This will be communicated to
the students BEFORE they start their assignment. If it is found that any of the content they
produce is stolen or plagiarized, the assignment will become a 0 and disciplinary action will be
take. If the animation is shown to be sloppy or made with little effort put in, points will be
deducted as necessary.