Section One: Project/Lesson Overview

Grade: 10

Subject: Social Studies (Ancient Medieval History)

Lesson Title:  Technology of the Times: A Comparison

Lesson Description: Students will compare how changes in technology affected and impacted the growth of ancient civilizations and a modern city (Saint John). Students will identify the similarities and differences and the positive and negative aspects of these changes on human society, by constructing a timeline comparison of the technological advancements of each.

Time Required: 1 - 2 x 60 minute classes


Specific Curriculum Outcomes:

 

1. Students should be able to explain the significance and impact of technology in the development of civilizations and human life.

 

2. Students should show understanding of how technology led to humans populating major regions of the world and adapted to local environments.

 

3.  Students will be expected to develop a time-line to indicate major developments in the technology of human civilizations.

Section Two:  Project/Lesson Implementation

Equipment/Materials Required:  In-focus projector, Computer with internet access, Overhead projector, “Prologue To The Present” Textbook, Flip chart paper and markers.

Lesson Procedures/Teaching Strategies:

 

1.      Using the New Brunswick Museum’s Saint John: an Industrial City in Transition virtual exhibition website, select one of the oldest non recognizable pictures of Saint John (shown through the in-focus projector). Ask the class if anyone recognizes the location in the picture. Do not give the answer. Then select a current “recognizable” picture. Ask the class if anyone recognizes the location/city in the picture. Hopefully someone should know. Ask the class “How long they think has passed between the first picture and the last picture”? Ask them to give reasons for their answer. Be sure to point out some important “technological” clues from the current photograph.  Make sure to define what “technology” is. Make reference to the innovations from Mesopotamia and Egypt as past example.

 

2.      Ask the question “What role do you think technology have in transforming the city of Saint John from the first photograph to the current one”? Have brief discussion based on answers.

 

3.      At this time divide the class into groups of 4 or 5 students. Hand out one marker and  

      flip chart paper to each group. Have each group assign a scribe and speaker.

      Choose at least 5 pictures from the website that clearly show some piece of Technology (ships, electrical lines, cars, signage, architecture etc.) Tell students that as you show them each picture they are to record any and all examples of technology that they see down on their paper.

 

After showing and re-showing all 5 pictures (recap) ask each group to answer following questions:

 

  1. What technological example from the pictures do you think was the most important to the growth of Saint John? Why?
  2. Which technological example was the least important to the development of the city? Why?
  3. What are some positive and negative aspects of each example?
  4. Create a “Technological time-line” based on the pictures observed. (Attempt to put pictures in chronological order).
  5. Compare time-line to ones of the technologies of Ancient Egypt and/or Mesopotamia.
  6. Develop a Comparison Organizer based the technological development and impact on the growth of Saint John and one of the Ancient Civilizations. (See text p 123-125).
  7. Each group should present answers to the class.
  8. Debrief and review answers when all groups finish presenting.

 

Suggested Assessment Strategies:

 

  1. Teacher evaluates student presentations.
  2. Make a rubric for student self assessment or class assessment of presentations.
  3. Teacher created follow up test.

 

 

Section Three:  Project/Lesson Resources

Teacher Generated Resources:

 

Supplementary Resources:

 

Web-Based Resources:

 

Disclaimer: The recommended web-resources included here have been scrutinized for their grade and age appropriateness; however, contents on links on the Internet change continuously. It is advisable that teachers preview all links before recommending them to students.

 

New Brunswick Museum

 www.nbm-mnb.ca

 

 

Section Four:  Additional Information

 

Additional Comments:

 

Credits: N/A

 

Contact Information Including Name, Email, School and District:

 

Brad Coughlan

Sussex Regional High School

District 06

Bradley.Coughlan@NBED.NB.CA