Grade Levels: 3-5, 6-8, 9-12

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This lesson accompanies the BrainPOP topic United Nations, and supports the standard of analyzing examples of cooperation between nations. Students demonstrate understanding through a variety of projects.

Step 1: ACTIVATE PRIOR KNOWLEDGE

Ask students: 

  • What do you think might be the purpose of the United Nations?  HINT: What does the name “United Nations” bring to mind?

Step 2: BUILD BACKGROUND

  • Read aloud the description on the United Nations topic page.
  • Play the Movie, pausing to check for understanding. 
  • Have students read one of the following Related Reading articles: “In Depth” or “Did You Know?” Partner them with someone who read a different article to share what they learned with each other.

Step 3: ENGAGE
Students express what they learned about the United Nations while practicing essential literacy skills with one or more of the following activities. Differentiate by assigning ones that meet individual student needs.

  • Make-a-Movie: Create a news report identifying the objectives of the United Nations, and the methods it uses to work towards them. (Essential Literacy Skill: Summarize key details)
  • Make-a-Map: Make a concept map comparing and contrasting the United Nations with the League of Nations. (Essential Literacy Skill: Determine central ideas)
  • Creative Coding: Code a flag symbolizing the role of the United Nations in the global community. (Essential Literacy Skill: Make logical inferences from explicit details)

Step 4: APPLY & ASSESS 

Apply: Students complete the United Nations Worksheet,  applying essential literacy skills while demonstrating what they learned about this topic.

Assess: Wrap up the lesson with the United Nations Quiz

Step 5:  EXTEND LEARNING

Related BrainPOP Topics: Deepen understanding of global connections with this topic: League of Nations. 

Time Zone X: United Nations:  Challenge players to put historical events in chronological order in this interactive timeline game

Additional Support Resources:

 

Lesson Plan Common Core State Standards Alignments