Lesson 4: Case Study Investigations

Learning Objectives

Students will be able to:

• define agency, and give examples
• make accurate observations about geography and population using a GIS data map
• make inferences about how historical contexts of geography and population might have influenced historical events

Teacher Materials

• GIS web site and Projector
• Teacher's Handout on Agency
• Rubric for Case Study Presentations

Student Materials

• Their Case Study Worksheet, which they started as homework
• Their Case Study document page for their case, handed out in Lesson 3
• A copy of the Rubric for Case Study Presentations
(1 per student)
• Access to a computer with the GIS web site

Activities

1. Review the assignment, using the Denmark Vesey case as an example
   • Review the concept of agency
   • Review the historical context (geography and population) of Vesey's Rebellion, and how it might have affected historical events
   • Review the difference between OBSERVATIONS and INFERENCES, with examples from documents and also from the GIS map


2. Explain the criteria for an excellent Case Study Presentation
   • Go over the Rubric for Case Study Presentations together, and discuss what each presentation should include.
   • Have students give examples of Exemplary, Adequate, and Incomplete observations from the discussion of Vesey in Lesson 3, to make sure all understand the criteria and the key concepts


3. Students work on their case study research in groups at computers, using the Case Study Worksheet as a guide.
   • Students may divide the work among group members, but all students need to be familiar with evidence from both the Documents and the GIS maps in order to do well in the presentations and on the final assessment
   • Teacher circulates among groups as they work on their research, helping them as needed

Homework

Complete Case Study Worksheet and prepare for Presentations