The Newseum
Field Trip Proposal
Your Task:
You will be writing a persuasive essay about a topic you choose. You will research the newseum to determine what is currently in the museum. Once you have found a topic you like, with a group of 3-4 (you may choose), you will formulate an argument regarding that topic. At the museum, you will explore your topic and answer some of the questions below.
What do the primary sources say about your topic?
Who wrote each source?
What context were they written in?
Can you still make your original argument?
What are you trying to prove?
Why should I believe what you are saying?
Upon return from the museum, you will be required to write an essay arguing something about your topic. You must include support from the primary sources you are examining at the Newseum.
Start researching topics and formulate an argument! You must get your topic and argument approved (by Mrs. Smith or Mr. Wild) before we leave!
Good Luck!
Plan:
Mrs. Smith and I will send home permission slips for students to have filled out and signed.
We will have a section requesting chaperones, and will judge responses from parents.
We will need 9 chaperones.
We will also need a substitute to fill in for us on the day of the trip.
The cost will be 30 dollars for the students. This will cover transportation, admittance to the museum, and lunch.
We will depart for the museum at 8 a.m. and return around 5 p.m..
Common Core Standards:
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.6-8.1
Cite specific textual evidence to support analysis of primary and secondary sources.CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.6-8.2
Determine the central ideas or information of a primary or secondary source; provide an accurate summary of the source distinct from prior knowledge or opinions.CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.6-8.4Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including vocabulary specific to domains related to history/social studies.CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.6-8.5
Describe how a text presents information (e.g., sequentially, comparatively, causally).CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.6-8.6
Identify aspects of a text that reveal an author's point of view or purpose (e.g., loaded language, inclusion or avoidance of particular facts).Students will be able to analyze and evaluate primary sources to determine bias and point of view. They will be able to critically evaluate primary sources to determine the importance of the text.
What will Students do?
Before the trip: Students will choose a topic that we have covered or will cover at some point during the school year.
During the trip: Students will explore the museum and evaluate the primary sources that correspond to their topic.
After the trip: Students will summarize their findings and write a persuasive essay about their topic. The persuasive essay can cover any range of ideas, but must have textual support from the museum to support claims.
The Trip:
Students will attend the Newseum to learn more about how Social Studies connects to current events and the world!
Students will be able to view real news sources on the material they are learning about in the classroom. This will hopefully bring social studies to life for them, and give them a chance to view primary sources of content they are exploring.
