Greatest Single Event

 

Level:                   Elementary

 

Subject:                History

 

Objective:             Students will evaluate and select a “Single Greatest Event” in submarine warfare or underwater exploration.

 

Discuss:                Pose the question, “What is the single greatest event in submarine warfare or underwater exploration?” List the following on the board:

 

·      Attempt of the Turtle (American Revolution)

·      The attack of the Hunley (Civil War)

·      The 2,000 mile journey of the Argonaut from Norfolk to New York in 1898

·      The rescue of sailors from the USS Squalus

·      The commissioning of the first nuclear submarine, the Nautilus

·      The submerged around the world journey of the USS Triton

                                   

                                   

Show the students pictures of the submarines and provide a brief description of what each achieved.

 

Tell students that while each event was special, others had done similar things prior to each.

 

Give the following examples and solicit responses from your students:

 

·      Had anyone done something similar?

·      Did the event change underwater or surface warfare, or underwater exploration for both the short and long-term?

·      Did the event overcome a genuine obstacle, or was the event the result of an inevitable progression of technology?

 

Activity:                Divide the class into groups to determine which event is the “Single Greatest”

 

Give each group one of the pictures of the submarines and have them discuss reasons why that event should be considered the “Greatest.”

 

After all groups have presented their cases, have the class vote for a winner!