Unit Plan: Geographys Role in Society

Lesson Plan for Monday Grade: 1st Social Studies Strand: Geography

Submitted By: Michele Stering

EDEL 453: Teaching Elementary School Social Science Nevada State College Spring 2014 Instructor: Karen Powell

Lesson Plan for Monday

Strand: Geography

submitted by: Michele Stering

B. Summary of the Lesson Plan: During this lesson, students will be introduced to a variety of maps and navigational tools with a guest speaker, and then students will create a map of their own. This lesson uses the Integrating Language Arts and Social Studies textbook Developing Map Skills (p. 5051). C. Basic Information: Grade Level: 1st Time to Complete this Lesson: approximately 50 minutes Groupings: whole group discussions during guest presentation, small groups during map investigation, individual during map creation.

D. Materials: Guest speaker from REI (Recreational Equipment Incorporated) Five child friendly maps and a compass (will be provided by REI) Textbook: Integrating Language Arts and Social Studies (p. 50-51) Paper Pencils Crayons Picture of a compass and map (see attached) E. Objectives: o NV State Social Studies Standards o F. Vocabulary Map- a picture of places on Earth printed on a flat surface. Compass-a tool used to show the directions of things (north, south, east, west) Key- a list of words or colors to show what the pictures on the map mean. G5.1.2 Describe maps as representations of places. G5.1.2 I can explain that maps are used to tell about places around me. Student-Friendly Standards

G. Procedure: 1. Warm up: Place the picture of the compass and map of Nevada up on the screen. Call on students to guess what these are pictures of and what they might be used for. 2. Introduce vocabulary: map, compass, key
EDEL 453 - Spring 2014 Karen Powell- Instructor page 2

Nevada State College

Lesson Plan for Monday

Strand: Geography

submitted by: Michele Stering

3. Identify & discuss: Discuss the map of Nevada and identify some of the symbols and features of the map. Ask the question: Why are maps helpful? 4. Guest speaker: Today we have John from REI who will be showing us different types of maps, and how they are used to tell about the places around us. John will show/discuss a variety of maps and place one on each of the four table groups. 5. Small group work: Table groups will rotate around to each map and discuss things they notice about the maps. (John and I will walk about the room and guide students learning) 6. Discuss the following questions: How are these maps different from each other? What did each map tell about the place you were looking at? How did you use the maps to learn about these different places? H. Assessment: What will you use to measure student understanding? Mapping strategy (p. 50-51) What would a map look like of a room in your home? Today you will make a map to tell your classmates about this room using what you learned about maps today. Write a sentence about one thing we could find by looking at your map. Explain how you will know students understand the concepts from the lesson. Students must Describe maps as representations of places. Creating a map will show if students understand that information on a map is used to tell about the places around them. Writing a sentence will give the student an opportunity to express why maps are useful. I. Closure: Quick class discussion: what are some things you learned about maps today?

J. Reflection: 1. Which part of the lesson do you think will be the easiest for you to teach? I think the Nevada map is child friendly and some students might have some background knowledge about places around Nevada. 2. Which part will be most challenging for you to teach? I want students to understand that maps come in a variety formats and are used for different purposes. I hope using the child friendly maps will allow students to see a these variations in a user friendly format. I will need to ensure the guest speaker gears the discussion for a first grade audience. 3. How will you follow up or extend this lesson?

Nevada State College

EDEL 453 - Spring 2014

Karen Powell- Instructor

page 3

Lesson Plan for Monday

Strand: Geography

submitted by: Michele Stering

This is a five day unit plan so I wanted to introduce maps in the beginning. I will continue to extend on this concept throughout the week to show how maps are used for traveling, finding resources and exploration. 4. What can you do for students who dont grasp the concepts? I would take more time during the small group exploration of maps. I would ask questions like: What do you do when you cant find something? What would you do if you wanted to know how to get to the grocery store? I want the students to make the connection that they make mental maps in their heads all the time to figure out where something is or how to get home from school. 5. Which part of the lesson, if any, do you think might need to change? The guest speaker portion might need to be cut out if they dont feel they can gear a discussion for first grade students. I would fill in at that point. 6. When you were writing this lesson plan, what was the most difficult part? Finding a good map of Nevada which would be child friendly for first graders but still show the symbols I needed

Nevada State College

EDEL 453 - Spring 2014

Karen Powell- Instructor

page 4

Lesson Plan for Monday

Strand: Geography

submitted by: Michele Stering

Map of Nevada

Compass

Nevada State College

EDEL 453 - Spring 2014

Karen Powell- Instructor

page 5