Albert Einstein - US History

This lesson examines the life and contributions of Albert Einstein, focusing on his groundbreaking theories of relativity and his impact on science and society. Students will learn about his scientific achievements, including the photoelectric effect, and his advocacy for peace and civil rights. Activities include video analysis, timeline sorting, guided reading, and writing PEEKA paragraphs. The lesson concludes with a discussion on Einstein’s legacy and his influence on modern physics.

Lesson Content and Activities:

Introduction:
Discuss Albert Einstein’s background and significance in scientific history.
Introduce today’s keywords: Relativity, Physicist, Photoelectric Effect.

Video Task:
Watch the provided videos on Albert Einstein.
Answer the questions: Who was he? When did he live? What is he most famous for? Why did he do this? Where did this happen?

Timeline Activity:
Sort the timeline cards into the correct chronological order:

Albert Einstein is born in Ulm, Germany (1879).
Einstein publishes his theory of special relativity (1905).
He presents his theory of general relativity (1915).
Einstein wins the Nobel Prize in Physics for his explanation of the photoelectric effect (1921).
Einstein moves to the United States to escape the rise of the Nazis in Germany (1933).
Albert Einstein dies in Princeton, New Jersey, USA (1955).
Primary Source Analysis:
Read through the extended writing on Einstein and answer the following questions:

How did Einstein’s theory of special relativity change our understanding of space and time?
What impact did Einstein’s theory of general relativity have on the field of astrophysics?
Why was Einstein awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1921?
How did Einstein use his fame to promote peace and civil rights?
Ranking Activity:
Discuss with a partner how to rank each of the three key events in Einstein’s life: developing the theory of special relativity, winning the Nobel Prize, and advocating for peace and civil rights.

Historian Analysis:
Read and compare the viewpoints of two historians on Einstein’s legacy.
Write a paragraph addressing how far the historians agree about his legacy using the provided sentence starters.

Writing Task:
Write a PEEKA paragraph explaining Einstein’s most significant impact on our understanding of the world.
Use the PEEKA planning sheet for guidance.

Class Discussion:
Share and discuss the PEEKA paragraphs.
Reflect on Einstein’s legacy and his contributions to science and society.

Recap Quiz:
Participate in a recap quiz to reinforce key points from the lesson.

Resources:
Video links on Albert Einstein
Timeline cards
Primary source documents
Guided reading text
PEEKA paragraph guidelines and planning sheet