Memorial+Day+Interdisciplinary+Project

May 28, 2010 Doug McKisson, Deanna McClain, Russ Curtis and Doug Bowery used an interdisciplinary project regarding the military. The timing of the lesson coincided with Memorial the following Monday. The background for Memorial Day was discussed (Decoration Day) followed by posing the question "Is it safer to serve in the United States military today or was it safer to serve in the past?" We specifically used the Vietnam War period versus present day since the history classes just completed a unit on the Vietnam War. Students were given computer access and encouraged to use what they had learned about quality websites and Boolean searching techniques to find specific quality data to substantiate their responses. Students posted and verified their answer on a Google form and the results are posted below. The student replies were tracked on the google doc below.

The students appeared motivated by the used of 21st century technology tools to create connections between past events and their present world. Student reflections showed insight and offered support for this observation.