Lesson 3: Using What You’ve Learned

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Lesson Three: Using What You’ve Learned

Approximately one hour + assignment time

 Discussion: Review (10-15 minutes)

    • Review previous lessons, including the three themes
    • Present the rubric for the first-person letter
    • Present letter format
    • Discuss and brainstorm possible points of view and positions for the letter

 Activity: (30-45 minutes)

    • Students demonstrate their new knowledge by writing a first-person letter discussing:
      • conditions in a mental hospital, symptoms of ‘shell shock’
      • home front circumstances that led to soldier’s institutionalization
    • In the letter, have students write from the point of view of either a veteran patient or the mother/sister of a veteran patient
    • The letter should be addressed to the Prime Minster and take a clear point of view with associated reasoning for one of the three positions:
      • Patient should be released into custody of his family because… (i.e. conditions in hospital are not good)
      • Patient should remain in hospital, but the following things should be changed…
      • Patient is cured and should be released. He and his family are thankful for his treatment and facilities, specifically…
    • Student should refer to More for the Mind sources to support the claims in their letter

 Closing: (5 minutes)

  • Summarize the key points of the lessons:
    • Patient experience during 1910s-1920s
    • experience of shell shock
    • home front experience with returning soldiers
  • Review criteria for letter writing
  • Ask for questions
  • Assign due date

 Reaching All Learners

  • The teacher may want to review rough drafts and, with student permission, use samples to illustrate the desired outcomes
  • The class may also benefit from practice judging whether work reaches criteria
  • Students can work with partners to proof read each other’s work, using the rubric to critique each other’s letters
  • Letter format could be posted for easy reference
  • Students who struggle with written work may be marked on content rather than format or editing.

 Resources for Using What You’ve Learned