Comparing COVID-19 and the Spanish Flu

Activity Overview

After students learn about the differences and similarities between the Covid 19 and 1918 Pandemics, students will create a chart with images and text that can compare and contrast the two periods. They should examine different categories such as: Symptoms, Actions Taken, Public Reaction, and Aftermath, or statistics of those affected. Students will find it interesting that there were many similarities between the 1918 pandemic and today. For example, the symptoms were similar with respiratory problems and fevers. With WWI occurring at the same time, some governments preferred to downplay the flu so that the war efforts could continue and morale would remain high while others instituted strict mask mandates. This is a great way for students to understand how history can often repeat itself, and what we can learn from the past.

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Template and Class Instructions

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Due Date:

Objective: Compare and contrast the Covid 19 and 1918 Pandemics.

Student Instructions:

Using school resources, conduct some research and learn more about the similarities and differences between the 1918 Spanish Flu and the current Covid-19 Pandemic.
On a chart, compare and contrast the two time periods with information about each in categories such as symptoms of the diseases, actions taken, public reaction and the aftermath.
Add appropriate words and images to describe each category.

Requirements: A minimum of 1-2 sentence description and appropriate illustrations for each of the categories.

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Lesson Plan Reference

Grade Level 6-8

Difficulty Level 3 (Developing to Mastery)

Type of Assignment Individual

Type of Activity: Compare and Contrast with T-Charts

Common Core Standards

[ELA-Literacy/RH/9-10/3] Analyze in detail a series of events described in a text; determine whether earlier events caused later ones or simply preceded them.
[ELA-LITERACY/CCRA/R/1] Read closely to determine what the text says explicitly and to make logical inferences from it; cite specific textual evidence when writing or speaking to support conclusions drawn from the text.
[ELA-LITERACY/CCRA/R/9] Analyze how two or more texts address similar themes or topics in order to build knowledge or to compare the approaches the authors take.
[ELA-LITERACY/WHST/6-8/2/B] Develop the topic with relevant, well-chosen facts, definitions, concrete details, quotations, or other information and examples.

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Rubric

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Rubric

	Proficient 5 Points	Emerging 3 Points	Beginning 1 Points
Explanation	The descriptions are clear and at least two sentences.	The descriptions can be understood but it are somewhat unclear.	The descriptions are unclear and are not at least two sentences.
Illustrations	The illustrations represent the descriptions using appropriate scenes, characters and items.	The illustrations relate to the descriptions, but are difficult to understand.	The illustrations do not clearly relate to the descriptions.
Evidence of Effort	Work is well written and carefully thought out.	Work shows some evidence of effort.	Work shows little evidence of any effort.
Conventions	Spelling, grammar, and punctuation are mostly correct.	Spelling, grammar, and punctuation are somewhat correct.	Spelling, grammar, and punctuation are mostly incorrect.