More Class Lessons for WebQuests 1999

Is Another Riot in LA's Future? Summary: The lesson focuses on the question "Is There Another Riot in LA's Future?" Students study primary documents and information from various viewpoints. Students read documents from the time of the incident and five years later. From this information, students consider which problems still exist and propose solutions. Grade Level: 8,9 Curricular Area: Social Studies Class Time Required: 3 days (Estimated)

Standards: Grades 6-8 1. Students explain how major events are related to each other in time 2. Students distinguish fact from opinion in historical narratives and stories 3. Students distinguish relevant from irrelevant information, essential from incidental information, and verifiable from unverifiable information in historical narratives and stories 4. Students assess the credibility of primary and secondary sources and draw sound conclusions from them 5. Students detect the different historical points of view on historical events and determine the context in which the historical statements were made (the questions asked, sources used, author's perspectives) 6. Students explain the central issues and problems of the past, placing people and events in a matrix of time and place 7. Students understand and distinguish cause, effect, sequence, and correlation in historical events, including the long- and short-term causal relations 8. Students recognize interpretations of history are subject to change as new information is uncovered   | top | Learning and Teaching Activities: Student groups write letters to municipal, county, or business leaders proposing solutions to problems that still exist and may lead to more social unrest. | top | Outcomes and Assessment: Evaluation Students will be evaluated on their individual participation and the group letter. The following rubric will be used to evaluate participation and the product. A rubric is provided. | top | Materials Needed: Internet access, Netscape, computer | top | Resources: Resource 1 Resource: Los Angeles Times April 30, 1992 How Used: articles in the riot Resource 2 Resource: A Dialogue Five Years Later" How Used: articles about the city five years later Resource 3 Resource: Three Days of Hell in Los Angeles How Used: article on the riots Resource 4 Resource: Volunteers Lead Rebuilding after LA Riots How Used: article on how volunteers have contributed to the recovery | top | Procedure Opening: 1. Introduce the topic. 2. Show video of the event (if available). 3. Ask questions to see if anyone remembers or has family that remember the event. Development: 1. Students are assigned to heterogenous groups. 2. Students work individually and in their group on the project. Closing: 1.Students write their problem solution letters to the city council, board of supervisors, Chamber of Commerce, etc. 2. Discuss solutions in the class. Do any of these problems exist in our community? | top | Ideas for extending the lesson: Discussion about their own community and problems that exist there. Students could propose solutions to local problems and send solutions to local community leaders. | top |