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No matter how many times you read accounts of the Titanic disaster, you still keep on thinking of ways the disaster could have been averted. What if there were more lifeboats, or the California had answered the distress calls, or the Titanic's captain had managed to avoid the icebergs? The Titanic, which was said to be practically invisible, sank on April 15, 1912 in the freezing cold waters off the Atlantic after hitting an iceberg. More than 700 people survived, while more than 1,500 people died. Even close to a century later, the details of the disaster are fascinating. Using lessons about the Titanic, students can learn about a variety of subjects including history, the social structure of the time, ship building, and chemistry. It is one of those timeless topics that can always get students thinking.
1. Titanic Disasters: In this lesson, students learn about some of the worst man-made disasters in history, focusing particularly on the Titanic. Students read and discuss an article called "The Titanic’s Mystique in Digital Packages". They then create an scavenger hunt on the internet, using information collected from their research. This lesson provides a great overview of the disaster. There are links to a plethora of information about the tragedy, and the people involved.
2. First Class First? Using Data to Explore the Tragedy of the Titanic: In this lesson students use and interpret data from the Titanic disaster to reach conlcusions about the social structure of the time. They take a close look at who was lost or saved, paying particular attention to social status. By the end of the lesson students will learn how social standing can affect the treatment of individuals. The lesson comes with a terrific set of worksheets and links that will make it easy to find the facts, and figures you need to make this lesson truly memorable.
3. The Ship of Dreams: In this lesson students read personal accounts of the Titanic tragedy, and create a scrapbook of information.There is nothing like reading accounts told from the point of view of the people who were there. The website also includes links to newspaper articles, and stories about survivors. There is a site for Titanic artifacts as well. A great way to acquaint students with this slice of history.
4. Galvanic vs. Titanic: This lesson asks students to explore the decomposition of the famous boat, and come up with a hypothesis for it's sinking. Students conduct experiments to simulate galvanic exchange. They conduct an experiment in which they put two different types of metal in a salt solution, and predict which will deteriorate.
5. Voices from the Titanic: Students use the Titanic disaster as a way to learn about immigration, and class issues. Teachers assign students a certain Titanic survivor who was immigrating aboard the ship. They do research on their reasons for coming to America, and find out about their lives after the tragedy. Students will create a collage and a personal account of immigration to America. While the lesson laid out the instructions clearly, there were no links to survivor lists. A site called Encyclopedia Titanica has a list of the passengers who survived, and their background.
6. Summing Up the Disaster: In this lesson students write a news story telling the who, what, when, where, and why of the Titanic disaster. Students do research on the disaster, and organize their information. The lesson comes with some great resources including a booklist, and graphic organizers. It also has some good suggestions for extension activities.
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