Secrets from the Sea (Grades 4-5)

South Carolina Standards

These Standards are available online at http://www.myscschools.com

B.  Inquiry

1.      Plan and conduct a simple investigation.

a.   Identify questions that can be answered through scientific investigations.

b.   Design and conduct a scientific investigation.

c.   Use appropriate tools and techniques to gather, analyze, and interpret data.

d.   Develop descriptions, explanations, predictions, and models using evidence.

e.   Use mathematical thinking in all aspects of scientific inquiry.

f.        Communicate outcomes and explanations.

Media Components

Video

History's Mysteries: "Raise the Hunley." This program explores the history of the Hunley and its mission. It also reviews its discovery and possible reasons why it did not return to shore. (Note to Teacher: Be sure to send an e-mail message to http://www.historychannel.com to request permission to use this videotape.)

Web Site

Friends of the Hunley

http://www.hunley.org. This Web site allows the students to read about the history, recovery, archaeology, and conservation of the Hunley. The students will have the opportunity to experience the submarine simulator which will give them a deeper understanding of the concepts of the lesson.

Materials

Equipment

Prep for Teachers

Introductory Activity

Step 1: Pass out the KWL chart. Begin by explaining to students that they are about to pilot a submarine in a game on the computer. Have students log on to the Web site http://www.hunley.org. Ask them to go to the link identified as "submarine." Now have them click on H.L. Hunley Simulator. Provide students with a Focus for Media Interaction by asking them to review the section titled "How it works." Instruct them to click on each section: 1. Exterior.
2. Interior. 3. How it Attacks.

Step 2: After they have completed this activity, ask students to volunteer descriptive information about the sub. Have students write facts under the "know" section of their KWL charts while you record the information on the class chart.

Step 3: Now have students click on the Hunley Simulator and then "Learn about the sub's controls." Demonstrate with the AverKey how to roll over the red dots on the screen to learn more about each item. Ask students to volunteer how each control works and to record this information on their KWL charts while you record it on the class chart.

Step 4: Ask students to click on "Start your mission." Give students 15 minutes to complete mission.

Step 5: Ask for students to volunteer which strategies worked and which did not (if mission fails, then submarine sinks). Discuss what caused submarine to sink and what caused it to rise to the surface. Have them write their conclusions under the learn section on the KWL chart. Also record this information on the class chart.

Learning Activities

Step 1: Explain to the students that they are now going to watch the video History's Mysteries: "Raise the Hunley." Provide your students with a Focus for Media Interaction, asking them to think about how difficult it was to pilot the sub in the simulated submarine piloting activity and to apply what they learned to what they are about to see on the video. Remind them of the weather conditions, time of day, and battle circumstances.

Step 2: Insert the video into your VCR. START the tape at the point where Dawn Hammer states: "They leave the island at 7 pm and slowly make their way 4 miles out to their target, the USS Housatonic." STOP after you hear: "The Confederates have little time to dwell on the fate of the sub."

Step 3: Ask the students to speculate on the possible causes for the sinking of the Hunley as explained in the video. While they fill out their KWL charts, record their ideas on the class chart. Ask for questions raised by what they saw on the video and record these questions under the W (what you want to know) section of the chart. Have students do the same on their charts.

Step 4: Now as a class "Build a Submarine." The directions are on Activity Sheet 2.

Culminating Activity

Using what they have learned, tell students that they are going to construct a timeline of events of the night of February 17, 1864. The timeline should include their predictions of what occurred after the Hunley sank the Housatonic.

Assessment

The KWL chart and timeline provide the assessment.

Cross-Curricular Extensions

Social Studies: Have students read Civil War Sub by Kate Boehm Jerome, and discuss how the recovered artifacts and skeletons found on board the Hunley are helping us to learn more about what really happened on the night of February 17. 1864.

Math: Divide the students into groups of nine. Ask the students to measure the length/width of the sub on the floor and the height of the sub on the wall. Then have the groups gather inside the outline to better understand the dimensions of the Hunley and the task of working in such a confined area.

Language Arts: Read Make it Three by Margie Clary. Ask the students to storyboard ideas to illustrate the main ideas and plot of the story. Discuss their ideas and work.

Community Connections

Student Materials

Activity Sheets (PDF)