Daily Activities – Wyche Fowler
The daily activities created for each of the Today in Georgia History segments are designed to meet the Georgia Performance Standards for Reading Across the Curriculum, and Grade Eight: Georgia Studies. For each date, educators can choose from three optional activities differentiated for various levels of student ability. Each activity focuses on engaging the student in context specific vocabulary and improving the student’s ability to communicate about historical topics.
One suggestion is to use the Today in Georgia History video segments and daily activities as a “bell ringer” at the beginning of each class period. Using the same activity daily provides consistency and structure for the students and may help teachers utilize the first 15-20 minutes of class more effectively.
Optional Activities:
Level 1: Provide the students with the vocabulary list and have them use their textbook, a dictionary, or other teacher provided materials to define each term. After watching the video have the students write a complete sentence for each of the vocabulary terms. Student created sentences should reflect the meaning of the word based on the context of the video segment. Have students share a sampling of sentences as a way to check for understanding.
Level 2: Provide the students with the vocabulary list for that day’s segment before watching the video and have them guess the meaning of each word based on their previous knowledge. The teacher may choose to let the students work alone or in groups. After watching the video, have the students revise their definitions to better reflect the meaning of the words based on the context of the video. As a final step, have the students compare and contrast their definitions to their textbook, dictionary or other teacher provided materials definitions.
Level 3: Provide the students with the vocabulary list and have them use their textbook, a dictionary, or other teacher provided materials to define each term. After watching the video, have the students write a five sentence paragraph based on the provided writing prompts.
Vocabulary/Writing Prompts:
Vocabulary/Writing Prompts:
Vocabulary Terms
Troubleshooter Election City Council Ambassador Constituency Incumbent Appointed Terrorist
Writing Prompts
1. 2. 3.
In a five-sentence paragraph explain the responsibilities and powers of a city council member like Wyche Fowler. In a five-sentence paragraph explain why it is noteworthy that Wyche Fowler is the only white congressman in the country to have a constituency that is 65% Black. In a five-sentence paragraph choose one of the positions held by Wyche Fowler and summarize the powers and responsibilities of that position.
Related Georgia Performance Standards:
Reading Across the Curriculum (Grades 6-12)
SSRC1 Students will enhance reading in all curriculum areas by:
c. Building vocabulary knowledge • Demonstrate an understanding of contextual vocabulary in various subjects. • Use content vocabulary in writing and speaking.
• Explore understanding of new words found in subject area texts. d. Establishing context
• Explore life experiences related to subject area content. • Discuss in both writing and speaking how certain words are subject area related. • Determine strategies for finding content and contextual meaning for unknown words.
Common Core, College and Career Readiness Anchor Standards for Writing
Text Types and Purposes
1. Write arguments to support claims in an analysis of substantive topics or texts, using valid reasoning and relevant and sufficient evidence. 2. Write informative/explanatory texts to examine and convey complex ideas and information clearly and accurately through the effective selection, organization, and analysis of content.
3. Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, well-chosen details, and well-structured event sequences.
National Curriculum Standards for Social Studies
Theme 9: Global Connections; Theme 10: Civic Ideals and Practices Grade 8 Georgia Studies
SS8H12 The student will explain the importance of significant social, economic, and political developments in Georgia since 1970.
a. Evaluate the consequences of the end of the county unit system and reapportionment. b. Describe the role of Jimmy Carter in Georgia as state senator, governor, president, and past president. c. Analyze the impact of the rise of the two-party system in Georgia. d. Evaluate the effect of the 1996 Olympic Games on Georgia. e. Evaluate the importance of new immigrant communities to the growth and economy of Georgia.
SS8CG1 The student will describe the role of citizens under Georgia’s constitution.
a. Explain the basic structure of the Georgia state constitution. b. Explain the concepts of separation of powers and checks and balances. c. Describe the rights and responsibilities of citizens. d. Explain voting qualifications and elections in Georgia. e. Explain the role of political parties in government.
SS8CG5 The student will analyze the role of local governments in the state of Georgia.
a. Explain the origins, functions, purposes, and differences of county and city governments in Georgia. b. Compare and contrast the weak mayor-council, the strong mayor-council, and the council-manager forms of city government. c. Describe the functions of special-purpose governments. d. Evaluate the role of local government working with state agencies to administer state programs