Last updated: November 2, 2018
Lesson Plan
Calling Andrew Johnson using Morse Code
- Grade Level:
- Middle School: Sixth Grade through Eighth Grade
- Subject:
- Literacy and Language Arts,Social Studies
- Lesson Duration:
- 90 Minutes
- State Standards:
- Social Studies
RH.6-8.7
RH 6-8.9
Reading
RI.5.3
W.5.3
SL.5.1 - Thinking Skills:
- Understanding: Understand the main idea of material heard, viewed, or read. Interpret or summarize the ideas in own words. Applying: Apply an abstract idea in a concrete situation to solve a problem or relate it to a prior experience. Analyzing: Break down a concept or idea into parts and show the relationships among the parts. Evaluating: Make informed judgements about the value of ideas or materials. Use standards and criteria to support opinions and views.
Essential Question
What is Morse Code? How was it used in the 19th Century? How does it compare to technology today?
Objective
1) The students will analyze the impact of the transatlantic telegraph on worldwide communications.
2) The students will compare and contrast current technology to that of the 19th century.
Background
Andrew Johnson National Historic Site offers multiple primary resources to share the story of Andrew Johnson as he rose from a runaway apprentice to a political leader. These resources provide an opportunity for interactive learning in unique historical location. Andrew Johnson, whose life exemplifies many struggles faced by Americans today, worked his way from tailor to President. He stood strong for his ideals and beliefs. His presidency, from 1865-1869, illustrates the U.S. Constitution at work following Lincoln’s assassination and during attempts to reunify a nation that had been torn by Civil War. His work helped shape the future of the United States and his influences continue today.
The significance of Andrew Johnson National Historic Site to our country’s cultural heritage is in the reflection of the 17th President’s modest and humble lifestyle. This is demonstrated in the parks museum collection, historic furnishings and the architecture of the buildings that the President once owned.
Rising from the ranks of the working class, Andrew Johnson overcame many obstacles so that he could influence and champion the cause of the working peoples. This theme is preserved in the tailoring artifacts and shop exhibited at the site. Students will utilize the primary resources available from the site to compare and contrast current technology with technology from the 19th century. This lesson illustrates examples of the changing role of the United States in the world community as well as the expansion of technology.
Preparation
This lesson is completed in three parts. Part one utilizes the Morse Code challenge and Morse Code decoder; part two utilizes the Teacher Diagram and Instructions for Relay, ropes, position cards, post it notes, Morse Code decoder, and cards with each letter in the word “success”. The Morse Code challenge, the Morse Code decoder, and Teacher Diagram and Instructions must be downloaded and printed before the lesson. If you are planning to implement this lesson on site, contact a park ranger for use of ropes and position cards.
Materials
Lesson Hook/Preview
Students will explore a means of communication during Andrew Johnson’s presidency. Students will also use primary sources to gather information on the history of this innovative technology. Students will be challenged to work cooperatively as they “send” a telegram from Queen Victoria to President Andrew Johnson.
Procedure
Brief History of the Transatlantic Cable
Students actively listen to a brief history depicting the invention of the telegraph, Morse Code, and the expansion of telegraph lines, leading to the completion of the Transatlantic cable. After viewing the Foreign Affairs exhibit in the Visitor Center, the students will complete the Morse Code challenge, using the Morse Code decoder.
Students actively listen to a brief history depicting the invention of the telegraph, Morse Code, and the expansion of telegraph lines, leading to the completion of the Transatlantic cable. After viewing the Foreign Affairs exhibit in the Visitor Center, the students will complete the Morse Code challenge, using the Morse Code decoder.
Send the Message Relay
Students simulate the Transatlantic cable as they work cooperatively to ‘send’ a message from Queen Victoria to Andrew Johnson. See Teacher instructions and diagram for game instructions.
Students simulate the Transatlantic cable as they work cooperatively to ‘send’ a message from Queen Victoria to Andrew Johnson. See Teacher instructions and diagram for game instructions.
Journal Entry
Students will write a journal entry for a person involved in the development, the laying, or the using of the Transatlantic cable or telegraph. The students will write as if the person were witnes to a defining moment during the Transatlantic cable development, laying, or use. The students must include at least 3 facts about the telegraph and/or the Transatlantic cable.
Students will write a journal entry for a person involved in the development, the laying, or the using of the Transatlantic cable or telegraph. The students will write as if the person were witnes to a defining moment during the Transatlantic cable development, laying, or use. The students must include at least 3 facts about the telegraph and/or the Transatlantic cable.
Assessment Materials
Assess student understanding by assigning them to write a journal entry from the perspective of a person involved in the development, the laying, or the use of the Transatlantic cable or telegraph.
Enrichment Activities
Stomp it Out Game: For this activity the students will need the Morse Code decoder sheet. In groups of 3 students will stomp out a 3 letter word in Morse Code with one letter for each student. Groups try to decode the message and receive 1 point for each correctly decoded word.
Additional Resources
PBS.org has an interactive webpage that gives more in depth history about the Transatlantic cable and the telegraph. http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/cable/index.html