HowCold Did The Cold
War Get?
A webquest for 9th grade Western Civilization Students
Designed by: Cara Gallagher
| Introduction | Task | Process | Evaluation | Conclusion | Credits |
The question that prevails many students who did not live through the Cold War years remains: Why was the Cold War cold? This webquest seeks to help 9th graders in the RBHS Western Civilization class answer that question. Fear, anxiety, the threat of war, espionage, and second-guessing friends and neighbors was commonplace in this country throughout the years of 1950-1990. The world came close to World War III and the escalation of tensions between many world powers made for a very "chilly" global climate. If you do not know what it's like to live your life in fear of the Communist monster-you soon will!
National Geographic has commissioned you to assist in a piece they are doing on the Cold War. You are a cartographer (map-maker) and have been asked to design a Cold War map.
Create a map for National Geographic denoting the Cold War's coldest/hottest events that will likely be printed in the magazine.
1). Research and select five major events that occurred during the Cold War years.
2). Email National Geographic. In a formal and professionally written (remember, this is your career!) email to National Geographic (email address to be provided to you), tell them the five significant events you've chosen to create your map. Briefly tell them, under each event, why you've selected that event, what significance it had on the Cold War in terms of its contributions to the "coolness" of the war, and where it occurred.
3). Design your map. Using your creativity, design skills, and accurate map-making abilities create a map displaying the locations of the five major events you selected. Be sure to list pertinent information on each event on the map (i.e. date of each events occurrence, specific location~city, country, etc.) and make it VIBRANT! For instance, you can rank the "coolness" or "heat" of each event by adding color to demonstrate the temperature.
Resources
| Joseph Stalin & the USSR | American McCarthyism | Vietnam |
| Communist China | The Korean War | The Cuban Missile Crisis |
| NATO | Berlin Wall | Yalta Conference |
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Beginning 1 |
Developing 2 |
Accomplished 3 |
Exemplary 4 |
Score |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Design of Email
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Description of identifiable performance characteristics reflecting a beginning level of performance. | Description of identifiable performance characteristics reflecting development and movement toward mastery of performance. | Description of identifiable performance characteristics reflecting mastery of performance. | Description of identifiable performance characteristics reflecting the highest level of performance. | |
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Creativity and Completeness of Map Design
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Description of identifiable performance characteristics reflecting a beginning level of performance. | Description of identifiable performance characteristics reflecting development and movement toward mastery of performance. | Description of identifiable performance characteristics reflecting mastery of performance. | Description of identifiable performance characteristics reflecting the highest level of performance. | |
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Stated Objective / Final Product
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Description of identifiable performance characteristics reflecting a beginning level of performance. | Description of identifiable performance characteristics reflecting development and movement toward mastery of performance. | Description of identifiable performance characteristics reflecting mastery of performance. | Description of identifiable performance characteristics reflecting the highest level of performance. |
By the end of this assignment you will have not only completed the Problem-Based Learning task of creating a map with a conscience but also learned the skill of writing a professional email, and gained an understanding of the events that contributed to the Cold War. It is my hope that you enjoy this assignment, seek the advice/counsel of me, and use your creative juices and natural abilities to create a polished and comprehensive final product. Have fun!
www.EncyclopediaBritannica.org
The National Archives online
Spartacus