America : Past and Present

Subject Area(s):

• Grades K-4 History

Grade Level(s):

• 3rd-4th Grade

Description:

Students will explore Colonial America through a variety of resources: print and non print. After exploring the past, they will proceed to compare it to the present.

NOTE: Relevance is created in this lesson by allowing students choice in the research topics. A mini-lesson on note-taking skills also helps to build confidence that they are equipped to explore the varied resources.

Goals & Objectives:

-Students will be able to use and understand the purpose of Contents and Index
-Students will be able to select appropriate sources to locate information
-Students will gather and distinguish pertinent facts and organize information.
-Student can use note taking skills in collecting information
-Students will demonstrate the use of primary sources
-Students will understand the value of cooperative learning

Materials:

A large variety of non fiction books on Colonial America. Websites, preferably with pictures.

Procedures:

-Students will be immersed in non fiction books on the colonies. They will work in groups to list their noticings of life during this time.
-Based on their observations, students will list topics they want to research on chart paper.
-Mini lesson on non fiction vs fiction
-Students will select the colony they want to research.
-Notes will be on looseleaf paper on a T chart: Past and Present will be the headings.
-Mini lesson on notetaking
-Research materials will be introduced: non fiction, encyclopedias, internet.
Mini lesson on the use of contents and index
-Students will be working cooperatively
-Students will do research in the library for approximately seven days.
-The classroom teacher and LMS will monitor appropriate facts throughout the research.
-Upon completion of the research, the students will learn how to use a powerpoint presentation and type their T charts.

Assessment:

Students will write reports using print and nonprint material to create a comparison between colonial days and the present. They will present the information through a powerpoint presentation.

Supporting Files:

• connecticut.ppt
  Two students in the fourth grade created this powerpoint based on the information they found through their research.
• colonial man.jpg
  Colonial man

Standards:

National Information Literacy Standards (K-12)

Accesses information efficiently and effectively.

• Identifies a variety of potential sources of information.

Evaluates information critically and competently.

• Determines accuracy, relevance and comprehensiveness.

Appreciates literature and other creative expressions of information.

• Is a competent and self-motivated reader.

Strives for excellence in information seeking and knowledge generation.

• Devises strategies for revising, improving, and updating self-generated knowledge.

Practices ethical behavior in regard to information and information technology.

• Uses information technology responsibly.

Participates effectively in groups to pursue and generate information.

• Shares knowledge and information with others.

Information Skills and Subskills (K-16)

Definition

• Determines amount/type of information needed to complete research task

Selection

• Specifies subtopics or related keywords

Planning

• Creates a general framework for organizing information found

Exploration

• Locates and accesses information resources

Collection

• Recognizes when sufficient information has been obtained

Organization

• Organizes final information for presentation

Presentation

• Cites sources appropriately

Evaluation

• Evaluates end product
• Subject: Grades K-4 History

National Content Standards (K-12)

Topic 4 - The History of Peoples of Many Cultures Around the World

• Understands the causes and nature of movements of large groups of people into and within the United States, now and long ago