Materials

• Pre-test
• List of possible research topics
• Class textbook

Instructional Activities

1. Administer a pre-test, using the sample assessment items on Attachment F or a teacher-developed pre-test.
   
   
2. Conduct a brainstorming activity by placing the following questions on the board or overhead:
   
   What do you think the Cold War was? What was an important event from this time period?
   
   Permit students to respond, and record their responses on an overhead or in another place that can be referred to at the end of the lesson. Record all responses without correcting them. If students are not responding, prompt them with the following questions:
   • When did the Cold War occur?
   • What countries were involved?
   • Where was it?
   • Who were some major personalities?
   • What were some major events?
   
   As students respond, prompt discussion with additional questions. For example if a student says Vietnam was involved, ask him/her to identify the reasons, the location, and other facts.
   
   
3. Announce that each student will be required to write a paper on the historical time period referred to as the Cold War. Provide a list of topics, like those found on Attachment A. NOTE: Modify this list to comply with your local curriculum. Give students the length and special instructions for the assignment.
   
   
4. Place the notes on the Cold War (Attachment A) on the overhead, uncover one note at a time, and instruct students to write the note down. Discuss the note, using the textbook and supplementary resources. Students should have their textbooks out in order to follow the topics in the book. Cover approximately four or five notes per day: the lengths of discussions will influence how many notes can be accomplished each day. Alter these notes as needed to comply with your local curriculum. If desired, determine the page number in the student text that addresses each note, and arrange the notes in the order of the text or any desired order. Use the version of the notes including teacher notes (Attachment B) to be certain that basic facts are covered.
   
   
5. Assign teacher-selected reading, worksheet, or other reinforcement activity, using available resources.