Heros of the Sky

Hot Springs Greater Learning Foundation

Thermopolis, Wyoming

Heroes of the Sky -- Teacher Resources

Lesson Plan #2: Timeline Investigation (Overview)

Objectives:

• Students will plan draft texts and revise and edit in response to suggestions expressed by others about such aspects as ideas, organization, style, and work choice.

• Students will combine skills to reveal their strengthening literacy. Examples include writing and illustrating text and reading and then orally analyzing their text.

• Students will construct and interpret timelines of people and events from history.

• Students will identify and explain how individuals in history demonstrated good character and personal virtue.

• Students will locate information using a variety of traditional sources, electronic technologies, and direct observations.

• Students will gather and analyze information using appropriate technologies to answer the questions posed.

• Students will recognize the contributions made in science by cultures and individuals of diverse backgrounds.

Overview for Teachers:

Before your visit:

• Explain the lesson to your students.

• Divide the class into small groups.

• Do the Pre-Visit Activity.

• Recruit and prepare your group leaders.

• Give the On-Site Activity to group leaders and students before the field trip.

• Determine whether students will be working individually or in small groups. Assign group leaders accordingly.

At the museum:

• Visit the exhibition so that students can collect information and inspiration in order to construct a timeline.

After your visit:

• Distribute the Post-Visit Activity and reflect on your visit to the museum.

• Develop and illustrate timelines.

• Evaluate timelines and submit top timelines to the museum for possible display.

Pre-Visit Activity: Timeline Investigation (For Teachers)

Objectives:

• Students will compare and contrast a variety of timelines.

• Students will describe the characteristics of a good timeline.

• Students will evaluate the effectiveness of text and visuals in timelines.

Materials:

Assortment of timelines from books, magazines, the Internet, etc. to be located and copied by the teacher or students in advance.

Procedure:

Divide the class into small groups and assign each group several different types of timelines to analyze. Ask each group to determine the following:

• What are the themes used?

• How are they organized? By month? By year? By decade?

• What is the format for each of the timelines? All text? Combination of text and

images? All images?

• What makes these timelines easy to read? Difficult to read? Boring?

• How would you grade these timelines? Explain your grades.

On the blackboard, record the various responses from each group to each of the questions.

• What do you think makes a good timeline? Why?

Assignment:

Construct a timeline with a flight-related theme. Ideas for the timeline can come from anywhere in the exhibition Heroes of the Sky. The timeline needs to have:

• A title

• A flight-related theme

• At least ten entries

• Illustrations or images

The timeline needs to be:

• Easily readable and understandable.

• Suitable for posting in the classroom or on a computer.

By reading this timeline, people will become more knowledgeable about one aspect of the history of flight.

On-Site Activity: Heroes of the Sky

Name:

Date:

Remember:

Ideas for your timeline can come from anywhere in the Heroes of the Sky exhibition. The timeline must have:

• A title

• A flight-related theme

• At least ten entries

• Illustrations or images

The timeline needs to be:

• Easily readable and understandable

• Suitable for posting in the classroom or on a computer

By reading this timeline, people will become more knowledgeable about one aspect of the history of flight.

Do and Observe

Use the back of this sheet to write or draw a list of events, planes, or people in the exhibition that you might use when you construct your timeline.

Think About…

• Brainstorm ideas for the title of your timeline

• Brainstorm ideas for themes for your timeline.

• Brainstorm ways you will organize your timeline.

Post-Visit Activity: Construct It! (For Teachers)

Objectives:

• Students will plan and construct a timeline.

• Students will revise and edit their timeline in response to suggestions from others.

• Students will evaluate their effectiveness in communicating information through a timeline.

• Students will describe some aspect of the people, places, events, or planes associated with the history of flight.

Materials:

• Newsprint or poster board

• Flight-related images from magazines, brochures, or Web sites

• Markers, pens, crayons

• Other materials scavenged from school or home

Procedure:

Invite students to review their observations from their museum visit and to share their timeline ideas with the class.

Ask them the following:

• What flight-related themes are you considering?

• What parts of the exhibit inspired you?

• What new information did you learn?

• What organizational approaches are you considering?

Distribute and review the worksheet Post-Visit Activity:Construct A Timeline with students.

• Establish and communicate timelines and due dates.

• Arrange times for students to play/test their timelines with others.

• Organize a Heroes of the Sky Timelines Exhibit or a time for students to present their timelines.

• Consider asking the museum to display the timelines along with the exhibition Heroes of the Sky.

Post-Visit Activity: Construct a Timeline

Name:

Date:

Decide:

The title of my timeline:

The time span covered by my timeline:

Construct the Timeline!

Think about how it reads and how it looks!

Share the Timeline with Others!

Sharing the timeline with others will tell you what works and what people like about your timeline.

Make Changes to Your Timeline!

Feel free to make changes as you test your timeline with others.

Evaluate the Timeline

• Does the timeline have a creative title?