Table of Contents

Overview Introduction Task Process Evaluation Conclusion CreditsJobs

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

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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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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.

How can you help?

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TaskYou 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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JobsClick on the pictures below for your specific job assignment.

peopleevents

technology everyday life

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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.

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.

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.

Victorian Homes 1900 vs Now America At Work America at School America at Leisure

Babe Ruth begins baseball 1914

Victorian Home of 1900s

Style of dress 1915

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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.

Technology in 1900 The German U-Boat Zeppelin Airplanes Tanks Poison Gas

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U Boat

Zeppelin

Tank

WWI airplane

Additional resources you may find helpful:

PBS U.S. enters the war Freedom: A History of Us Firstworldwar.com

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ProcessYou and your teammates need to follow these steps to ensure the best possible newspaper project:

1. Read your job description – ask the chief editor (teacher) if you have any questions about your topic.

2. Read the evaluation before you begin your research and your article.3. Review all of the sources provided as well as any addition sources you find yourself.4. 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.5. 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.6. Work with your team by reading the rough drafts together and listen to each others’

suggestions for improvement. 7. Your team should check each others’ work for spelling, punctuation, and grammatical errors.8. Write a second draft that includes all of your changes, ideas, and corrections.9. 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.

10. 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.

11. Submit your newspaper to the chief editor (your teacher) for evaluation.12. After you have completed your newspaper, answer the questions on the Conclusion page.13. Think about your project and answer the questions on the Conclusion page.

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Pg. 15Accomplished editor Developing Editor Beginning Editor

Self Evaluation

Chief Editor Evaluation

Required Elements

(20 points)

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.

Writing Skills(20 points)

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 Skills

(20 points)

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 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.

Presentation(20 points)

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.

Team Cooperation(20 points)

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.

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Conclusion 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.

credits www.google.com www.yahooligans.com Travel Back in Time to the Roaring

Twenties, Webquest by Gretchen Hornsby Google Images

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