Lesson Planning Form for Differentiating Instruction Education 305

Teacher

Ms. Williams & Ms. Jeninga

Grade level and theme

4th grade The Underground Railroad: The Train from Slavery to Freedom

Thread/crossover

culture, math crossover, ELA crossover

I. Objectives
What is the main focus of this lesson?
The main focus of this lesson is for the students to better understand how the Underground Railroad worked and operated.
How does this lesson tie in to your Big Idea
This lesson ties into the Big Idea by giving the students a different perspective on how the Underground Railroad was operated by
the heroes they learned about.
What are your objectives for this lesson? (students will be able to.) Indicate connections to applicable national or state
standards (glces). Indicate themes from any threads addressed in this lesson (ex-Geography-human environment interaction)
1) Students will be able to use literature at a primary level to convey the ingenious ways oppressed people sought to seek freedom.
2) Students will be able to connect the context of a reading passage to a real-world experience.
3) Students will be able to use visual arts to illustrate a secret code in a quilt
4) Students will be able to present their quilt and discuss the secret code embedded in it.
5) Threads: Math crossover; ELA crossover; culture;
6) Standards:
4 G1.0.3 Identify and describe the characteristics and purposes (e.g., measure distance, determine relative location,
classify a region) of a variety of geographic tools and technologies (e.g., globe, map, satellite image).
4 C5.0.4 Describe ways citizens can work together to promote the values and principles of American democracy.
N.FL.04.08 Add and subtract whole numbers fluently.
M.UN.04.01 Measure using common tools and select appropriate units of measure.
G.GS.04.01 Identify and draw perpendicular, parallel, and intersecting lines using a ruler and a tool or object with a square
(90) corner
R.CM.04.01 connect personal knowledge, experiences, and understanding of the world to themes and perspectives in text
through oral and written responses.
R.CM.04.02 retell through concise summarization grade-level narrative and informational text.
R.CM.04.03 explain relationships among themes, ideas, and characters within and across texts to create a deeper
understanding by categorizing and classifying, comparing and contrasting, or drawing parallels across time and culture.
R.CM.04.04 apply significant knowledge from grade-level science, social studies, and mathematics texts

II. Before you start

Prerequisite knowledge and skills.
What are you assuming they know
or have already done.

Assessment
(formative and summative)

Past knowledge of underground railroad

Finishing KWL chart

The finished Freedom Quilt
The Students presentation of the Quilt

Key vocabulary for this lesson

(include key concepts from
individual threads ex- economicsopportunity cost etc)

Materials-what materials (books,

handouts, etc) do you need for this
lesson and do you have them?

If you Traveled on the Underground Railroad by Ellen Levine

Aunt Harriets Underground Railroad by Faith Ringgold
Sweet Clara and the Freedom Quilt by Deborah Hopkinson
Quilt block patterns Patience Square, Texas Star
6 inch square paper, crayons, glue, poster board

Allowing students the potential work in groups if their math skills are not as strong
Opportunities for differentiation

III. The Plan

Time
Parts
Motivation
(Opening/
Introduction/
Engagement)
Development

The description of (script for) the lesson, wherein you describe teacher activities and student
activities
1. Discuss some background on a slave s life, the hard work, family life, and the desire to be free.
2. Review what the students have learned over the past couple of days. (Completing the KWL
chart).

3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
1.

Closure

2.

Read Sweet Clara and the Freedom Quilt by Deborah Hopkinson.

Discuss the idea that a quilt could be used as a map.
Discuss the importance of using coded pictures to convey the path.
Connect this to the simulation.
Have the children share the secretly coded pictures used in Sweet Clara and the Freedom Quilt..
Have the children divide into groups of 4.
Each student must create their own quilt square with the pattern they want on the paper. All 4 of
the group members squares should be able to get put together to create a secret message/map.
Start measuring, cutting and arranging fabric to match the design they made on the paper,
keeping in mind to leave 2 cm on each edge so it can get sown together.
As a group, prepare a presentation about their quilt and the secret coded places that they
included.
Allow each group to present their quilt paper squares. (as the actual quilt wont be ready yet.