Collaborative Learning: Adoption Level

K-4 Lesson

Presidents Come to Town!

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Grade Level

3

Classroom Configuration

  • Small group, using classroom computers or mobile laptops as rotating stations

Common Core State Standards:ELA

  • Integration of Knowledge and Ideas
    3.RI.7
    Use information gained from illustrations (e.g.,maps, photographs) and the words in a text to demonstrate understanding of the text (e.g.,where, when, why, and how key events occur).
    Comprehension and Collaboration
    3.SL.2
    Determine the main ideas and supporting details of a text read aloud or information presented in diverse media and formats, including visually, quantitatively, and orally.
    Presentation of Knowledge and Ideas
    3.SL.6
    Speak in complete sentences when appropriate to task and situation in order to provide requested detail or clarification.
    Production and Distribution of Writing
    3.W.5
    With guidance and support from peers and adults, develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, and editing.
    Research to Build and Present Knowledge
    3.W.8
    Recall information from experiences or gather information from print and digital sources; take brief notes on sources and sort evidence into provided categories.

     

    Arizona State Content Standards
    Social Studies
    Strand 1: American History
    Concept 6: Civil War and Reconstruction
    PO 3:Use primary source materials and secondary source materials to study people and events from the past.
    Strand 3: Civics and Government
    Concept 1: Foundations of Government
    PO 4: Describe the significance of national holidays

    Arizona Educational Technology Standards (2009)

    • Communication and Collaboration
      • Concept 1: Effective Communication and Digital Interaction
        • PO 1: Communicate digitally with others.
    • Research and Information Literacy
      • Concept 1: Knowledge and Ideas
        • PO 1: Evaluate information to generate ideas.
    • Research and Information Literacy
      • Concept 2: Processing
        • PO 2 Use preselected sources.


    Objectives

    • Read news stories for information about the 5 W’s and 1 H.
    • Understand simple newspaper vocabulary
    • Conduct a simple interview with either President George Washington or President Abraham Lincoln, using online resource Virsona; record answers
    • Create a news story lead
    • Write a simple paragraph


    Procedures

    • Organize centers by materials and activities that would revolve around Newspapers (newspaper vocabulary, front page samples, clippings, leads) a Reporter (5 W’s and 1 H; Who, What, Where, When, Why and How, and interviewing skills), Presidents (books about Washington and Lincoln, human interest stories), and Interview stations (computers set-up, Virsona website bookmarked.)
    • Students pretend that 2 presidents have come to town. They have been identified as school newspaper reporters and it will be their job to interview the president of their choice.
    • While at the Interview station, students will “interview” Washington or Lincoln using the 5 W’s questions that they created in the center
    • Students will go to Virsona web site and click on the president of choice. They do not need to logon or register
    • If Virsona is not available, answers to lower level questions may be found at President’s Day Home Page
    • While there, students will conduct the interview by typing simple questions and recording the answers. Paper and pencil or digital word processing may be used for this.
    • After every student has interviewed a president online, students will meet as a whole group for instruction and to brainstorm writing a news story lead. Teacher will check for understanding as the class compiles all of their different ideas for a news lead to write their individual paragraphs about the President being in town. Mindmapping web tools or software may be used for the brainstorming.
    • Students will construct a simple newspaper story (paragraph) at their desk using paper and pencil.

    Materials


    Assessment

    • As evidence by students identifying the 5 W’s and 1 H of their newspaper story

Technology Integration Matrix

Active

Collaborative

Constructive

Authentic

Goal Directed