BUILDING A LESSON AROUND AN EPISODE

Have you seen a History Detectives episode that would be perfect for your class? Would you like a lesson that matches your classroom content more closely? Why not create your own? Here are some steps for building a lesson around any History Detectives episode. 

First choose an episode.

1. Use the search or browse the Investigations. Choose an Investigation to use as the basis of your lesson.
2. Videotape an episode from a previous season that airs. Teachers have the rights to use the show one year from the date of broadcast.
3. Check your local listings for an episode that will air during your class.

Below are two suggestions for the type of lesson you may create.

Solve the Case From the Episode

1. Present the case to your class.
1. Use an Investigation. Download the transcript of the episode. Review the case. Present the details of the case to your class. You may choose to use props to represent the evidence or have your class act it out.
2. Use a videotape. Have your class view the portion of the episode in which the case you will be studying is introduced.
2. The class researches the case. Have your class research the case using Investigative Techniques, Do It Yourself, and Basic Detective Skills. They can also use what they have learned about the topic in class. You may wish to do this as a guided class activity or break the class into groups or “investigator teams.”
3. The class makes a conclusion. Have a discussion, take a vote, or have each “investigator team” present their own findings and conclusions.
4. Reveal the solution. Did your class come to the right conclusion?
1. If you used an Investigation, use the same method for revealing the resolution of the case as you did to introduce it.
2. If you used a videotape, have your class view the remainder of the case.

 Expand on the Episode

1. Present the entire case to your class.
1. Use an Investigation.. Download the transcript of the episode. Review the case. Present the details of the case, including the resolution, to your class. You may choose to use props to represent the evidence or even have your class act out the case.
2. Use a clip from the program. Have your class view the episode or the portion of the episode that covers your case.
2. Engage your class in historical research. Design an appropriate research activity. Branch off of the subject matter in the case that corresponds to your current classroom study. Use any of the tools on this website that apply. Expand the activity with books, the Internet or historical items.
1. Investigative Techniques– Document Examination, Finding Experts, Historical Research, Patent Searches(www.pbs.org/opb.historydetectives/techniques/index.html)
2. Do It Yourself – Art, Building Background, Genealogy, Photos. (www.pbs.org/opb.historydetectives/diy/index.html
3. The Field Trip lesson plan.
4. The Visiting a Historical Site units.
5. Visit The National Archives and locate a primary document to explore at http://www.archives.gov/education/lessons/.
3. Have your class present their results. Encourage them to think of ways to creatively present the material. Below are a few suggestions.
1. Write a historical poem.
2. Write a letter assuming a historical identity and reflecting the research results.
3. Give a group presentation to the class.
4. Hold a debate.
5. Prepare a Power Point presentation.

Go to PBS Teachers for more than 3000+ lesson plans and activities.