Introductory Lesson: Mystery Box
Prior to the unit plan, the teacher will create a mystery box to introduce the unit plan to the class. The mystery box will include a collection of different items and materials that relate to each lesson plan. Each lesson has 1-2 items that relate to its content. The Friday, prior to the start of the unit plan, the teacher will bring in the mystery box to pass around during the social studies portion of the day. The students will have an opportunity to explore the different items in the box, this will help activate prior background knowledge and give them an idea for what is to come. The students will investigate the box, ask questions and get clues for what the unit plan will be about. Once the mystery box has gone around the class, the teacher will ask the students what they think, any ideas they may have and any assumptions they have made. This will help introduce the Pennsylvania unit plan that will explore the regions, important individuals, significant symbols, popular sports teams and organizations, the history of Philadelphia, significant battles, important resources and popular foods.
Lessons:
1.Regions- Road map of PA
2. Individuals- Kite
3. Symbols- Pint of empty milk carton
4. Sports- Sports jersey, sports trophy
5. PA history- Bell
6. Battles- American flag, picture of a confederate flag, “army guys”
7. Resources- Piece of coal, piece of steel
8. Food- Cow plush toy
Culminating Lesson: Unit Plan Review Game
As our unit plan comes to a close, the teacher will play an interactive quiz game as a class to review the unit plan overall. Each lesson within the unit plan will be included in this quiz and will be intended to reinforce and review the student's knowledge of Pennsylvania regions, important individuals, our state symbols, PA sports teams and organizations, the history of Philadelphia and significant battles, and the production of PA resources and popular foods in a fun and engaging way. Each student will use technology such as a tablet or laptop to answer multiple choice questions on the unit plan. The system used here is called Kahoot and keeps track of the players responses and points for fast and correct answers. The students will have a certain amount of time to answer each question and at the end a winner will be revealed.
Link to Kahoot: https://play.kahoot.it/#/k/f81604ca-3d8d-4387-a826-6655c8bf7975
Comprehensive Unit Plan Assessment: Throughout the entire unit, students will be making various activites each day. For the unit plan assessment, the students will be making a portfolio for the major assignments given on each day. The portfolio will include:
Day 1 - Map worksheet
Day 2 - Brochure
Day 3 - Flip-book
Day 4- Picture of group timeline
Day 5 -
Day 6 - Venn Diagram
Day 7- Project Presentation
Day 8- Food Product Timeline and map
The teacher will look for completion of each portfolio component.