Example Lesson Plan 2

Instructor: xxxxxxxxxxxxx Course: Using Technology in the Elementary Classroom/ Level Grade 3 Unit: Famous People from Massachusetts Topic: Choosing a Famous Person From Massachusetts ISTE Standards: Standard 1- Technology Operations and Concepts Developing Technology B1.83 Identify and use basic search strategies on the Internet.

Standard 2- Ethics and Safety Developing Technology B2.20 Ensure equitable access to technology resources for all students in the class.

B2.50 Validate a Web site for authenticity (find site sponsor, author, date the site was last updated, ect.)

Standard 3- Teaching and Learning with Technology Developing Technology B3.10 Design and develop lessons and activities that integrate technology in a variety of instructional settings for all students.

B3.11 Identify and locate technology resources including online curriculum resources (Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks and/or district curriculum guides) for planning.

B3.20 Facilitate technology-enhanced lessons that address content standards and student technology standards

Goals:

-Students will discuss why it is important to learn about famous people that were born in Massachusetts.

-Students will use the website “Google Squared” to learn about various famous people that were born in Massachusetts.

-Students will pick an appropriate person that was born in Massachusetts to further research.

-Students will complete a typed explanation of why they would like to learn about their specific person and list facts that they would like to find through their research.

-Throughout this activity students will be using the computer to research and also type information.

Materials:

A computer for every student Template for “Pre-project” worksheet saved onto a shared folder

Anticipatory Set: Before explaining the activity that students will be completing, put

the following names on the board: Dr. Seuss, John F. Kennedy, Eli Whitney, Anne Bradstreet, and Paul Revere. Ask students to then work with a partner to try to figure out what all of the people have in common. Give students a few minutes to work together.

After a few minutes of working time go around the room and ask students what they think the answer is. Explain to students that all of these people are famous people that were born in Massachusetts. Ask students if they know of any other famous people that were born in Massachusetts and list their names on the board. Have a discussion with students about why it is important to learn about famous people that were born in Massachusetts. Explain to students that famous people have done something to shape the history of our state and as a citizen of Massachusetts we should comprehend why these people were famous.

Direct Instruction: Explain to students that they will be learning about a different famous person that was born in Massachusetts. Tell students that they will be able to chose the person that they are going to be researching and then presenting to the class.

Ask students why they think it is important that everyone researches a different person.

Have a discussion with students about how as a class they will learn about many different people, rather than just one person. Explain to students that they will first be looking at a list of people born in Massachusetts online. Students should read all of the names on the list and pick a few to learn more about. Students should click on links available on the website to allow them to learn more information about each person. After looking at every name on the list students can chose one famous person that they would like to learn more about. Student should then fill out the “Pre-Project” worksheet template that is saved onto the shared folder in a Word document. Explain to students that they have to record books, websites, and other resources that they use to find information on their person. Students should write down the name of the book or website, publisher, date published, author, and encyclopedia edition number if applicable. Students need to keep this list of resources with them throughout the unit.

Guided Practice: Take the whole class to a specific area where all students can go on their own computers. Before students go onto the computers, explain the directions and put them on the board so that students can refer back to them. Tell students that they are going to go to the website “googlesquared.com” and type in famous people from Massachusetts. Students should first read over all of the names on the list. Then students need to pick 3 people to read about further by clicking on links next to their name. Once students have read over their top 3 choices, they should pick 1 person to complete their project on. Since no students can do the same person they need to tell the teacher when they pick a person. The teacher will keep track of who everyone has picked to make sure that everyone gets a different person. After students have chosen their person they should complete the “Pre-project” worksheet. The template for this worksheet will be located on the computer‘s shared folder in a Word document, so students will have to use their typing skills to complete the task at hand, rather than simply writing the answers by hand.

Ask students if they have any questions about what they will be doing. Give students the chance to work alone on the computers and walk around to ensure that they are correctly completing the assignment.

Closure: Once all students have completed their “Pre-project” worksheet and printed them out, pair them up with a partner and tell them to switch papers. Students should read over the other persons paper and then add two questions that they would like the student to find out about their person. Students will enjoy giving their partner questions to find out. Students will then pass in their “Pre-project” worksheets and will continue to work on their project during another class period.

Assessment: Students will be assessed on a check plus, check, or check minus scale based on their completion of the “Pre-project” worksheet. If students complete the whole worksheet correctly with thoughtful information they will receive a check plus. If a student misses two or three questions, they will receive a check. Those students that do not pass in or complete at least half of their work will receive a check minus.

Extensions: Students will be working on their Massachusetts Famous People Projects during other class periods. Students will be working with computers and technology to research and create ways to present their famous person. Students will not only enjoy completing the project, they will also get to learn about many famous people that were born in Massachusetts.

Pre-Project Worksheet Name:

Date:

Famous Person From Massachusetts: Write two complete sentences explaining why you chose this person:

List three things that you would like to learn about this person:

Have you ever heard of this person before?

Partner Questions: