Venn Diagram Progressive Era Lesson Plan

Venn Diagram Progressive Era Lesson Plan

Lesson: A high school junior level activity utilizing a Venn diagram. This diagram allows students to visually compare and contrast populism and progressivism—seeing both differences and areas of convergence. This works well as a transition lesson from populism to progressivism. It may also be used as a review activity before a test or quiz.

Objectives: Explain the hardships of people in the early 1900’s and why they formed political parties. Compare the political trends of the Populist and Progressives to today’s current political trends.

Materials Needed:Textbook, pen or pencil (pencil preferred) and a Venn diagram provided by the teacher.

Preplanning:Fill out Venn diagram, looking for differences between Populism and Progressivism from information in the textbook and in the notes.

Instructional Input:The teacher should explain the purpose of a Venn diagram (differences and areas of convergence) if necessary. After most students have completed their Venn diagram, go over the diagram, having students chime in with what they came up with. As the teacher and students work through the diagram, students will make changes/corrections/additions to their diagrams.

Activity:Students should work for a while on their own, finding information in the textbook and coming up with ideas on their own. Areas of convergence may be more difficult for them to fill in because the textbook does not explicitly show these areas. The diagram requires some independent thinking and analysis.

Check for understanding:Students will be interacting with the teacher and, after the diagram is complete, it will be discussed and questions will be asked of the students to ascertain whether mastery was achieved.

Closure:If time is left in class, students will work on study guides or other activities.

Assessment/Evaluation: Certain important aspects of the material covered will be on a test. This is also a way for them to determine whether they have a basic understanding of the goals of the populists and how they relate to what we will be studying over the next couple of weeks. After class, the Venn diagrams will be handed in and checked in order to make sure the students were able to follow the discussion and took the initiative to complete the diagram.Diagrams will be handed back the next day and later be used as a study guide for a test on the Progressive Era.