Ms.

Reyna
Tuesday, February 17, 2015
Social Studies Lesson Plan
1. George Washington Carver: Peanuts, Agriculture, and
Inventions, Kindergarten
2. Lesson Essential Questions(s): Who is George Washington Carver?
How did George Washington Carver become a scientist? What is
agriculture? What is an invention? What are nutrients? What is crop
rotation? What are five uses for the peanut?
3. Standards:
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.K.1 Participate in collaborative conversations with
diverse partners about kindergarten topics and texts with peers and
adults in small and larger groups.
o CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.K.1.a Follow agreed-upon rules for
discussions (e.g., listening to others and taking turns speaking
about the topics and texts under discussion).
o CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.K.2 Confirm understanding of a text read
aloud or information presented orally or through other media by
asking and answering questions about key details and requesting
clarification if something is not understood.
o CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.K.3 Ask and answer questions in order to
seek help, get information, or clarify something that is not
understood.
Burlington City Curriculum Standard(s): 6.1.4.B.6 Evaluate the impact of
ideas, inventions, and contributions of prominent figures in New Jersey and in
the United States.
4. Learning objectives:
SWBAT understand who George Washington Carver is and how
he became a scientist.
SWBAT explain the meaning of agriculture, nutrients, crop
rotation, and invention.
SWBAT name at least five uses for the peanut.
Assessments:
Recall questions.
As a class, students will complete a graphic organizer with at
least five uses for the peanut.
5. Materials:
Bag of unshelled peanuts
Magnifying glass (optional)
PowerPoint slides for vocabulary words (e.g., agriculture; crop
rotation; nutrients; invention)
Use of technology: SMART board and computer to watch a short
movie on George Washington Carver using BrainPOPjr.
Preparation: Check students health records to make sure no
students have peanut allergies. Preview the George Washington

Ms. Reyna
Carver movie to familiarize myself with the content and set up
the computer so students can view it.
6. Prior knowledge: Students will have a basic understanding of
farming, what a peanut looks like, foods that contain peanuts, and the
word scientist.
7. Lesson beginning:
1. Hold up an unshelled peanut and ask if students know what it is.
Demonstrate how to crack open a peanut and explore the
contents inside.
2. Give each child an opportunity to examine the peanuts up close.
Provide a magnifying glass if desired to help children make
observations and describe what they see.
3. Tell the class that the peanuts they hold in their hand can be
used to make all kinds of amazing products. Ask students to turn
to their friend and name items that are made from peanuts.
4. Explain that a man named George Washington Carver discovered
hundreds of uses for peanuts; including paint, laundry soap,
shaving cream, lotion, ink, paper, and mayonnaise (Have some
items in a bag).
8. Instructional plan:
1. Lesson beginning (steps 1-4 stated above)
2. Introduce the vocabulary (e.g., agriculture; crop rotation;
nutrients; invention) in the movie using flashcards (displayed on
PowerPoint slides).
i. Agriculture: the study of crops and farming
ii. Nutrients: food or minerals that help plants and animals
survive.
iii. Crop rotation: to switch between crops that take
nutrients from the soil and crops that put nutrients back in
iv. Invention: someone who is the first to think of or make
something
3. Watch the George Washington Carver movie on Brain POP and
discuss key concepts and vocabulary after the movie.
i. G.W.C. wanted to go to college to learn more about
what?
1. Answer: Agriculture
ii. How did G.W.C. change farming?
1. Answer: Crop rotation - to switch between crops
that take nutrients from the soil and crops that put
nutrients back in. (plant cotton one year, then sweet
potatoes the next year).
4. After the movie discussion, as a class, we will create a thinking
map or graphic organizer to show possible uses for the peanut.
Students will be encouraged to think of at least five uses.
i. What discoveries did G.W.C. make using peanuts?

Ms. Reyna
1. Answer: paint, laundry soap, shaving cream, paper,
lotion, etc.
5. Review five or more uses of the peanut. Review vocabulary
terms.
i. Lets review!
1. Review the uses of the peanut.
2. Review vocabulary terms.
3. Review facts about George Washington Carver.
(Encourage students to name at least one
fact).
i. Will use a graphic organizer for
this**
9. Classroom Management:
1. Assigned seats on carpet.
2. Popsicle sticks used to randomize student participation.
3. Color chart (traffic light system) - students start the day
on green and are asked to change their color if they
demonstrate disruptive behavior or do not follow directions.
4. Treasure Chest Students that display commendable/excellent
behavior during the day can visit the treasure chest at the end of
the day.
5. Classroom language:
i. Catch a bubble when students are talking over
teacher and/or students.
ii. Active listening, Spider webs, Legs crossed
apple sauce.
10.
Transitions: Clap (5x)
11. Closure: Review (Recall questions)