Technology

Submitted by: Michael Feher & Amy Branstetter EDEL 453: Teaching Elementary School Social Science Nevada State College Spring 2013 Instructor: Karen Powell

Technology Day 3 Social Studies Lesson Plan Summary of the Lesson Plan: This is a 5th grade history lesson that will teach the students about the importance of technology. This lesson uses the Houghton Mifflin Social Studies textbook United States History (pgs. 666-669). Target Population: Fifth Grade All levels Whole group reading, individual assessment. Materials: Houghton Mifflin Social Studies textbook United States History. Paper, colored pencils, markers, crayons, pencils. Computers, calculators, envelopes, marker board Objectives: H3.5.4 Explain how technologies in U.S. history changed the way people lived. H3.5.4 I can explain how technology in the U.S. has changed how we live. Procedure: 1. Class will read pgs. 666-669. Teacher will ask class what they think the world would be like without technology. Would it be the same? Different? Why? The teacher will split the class up into 5 groups of 4. The teacher will give the groups 3 minutes to brainstorm as many different technology devices that have played an important role in changing American Life. The teacher will pick out some things from the lists that they find important and ask the students what they think life would be like without these different things. 2. Class will regroup. The students will then write a letter to someone in their families that live in a different state (a quick hey, how are you doing? Etc.) The teacher will send these letters to the families and discuss the process and time of mailing a letter. The teacher will also discuss that before phones were invented this is what people had to do and they didnt even necessarily have mail men. When the letters come back the teacher will review up on this lesson. 3. The teacher will divide the class up into two different groups. One group is allowed to use computers and the other is only allowed to use the pile of books in the front of the room. The teacher will begin asking trivia questions and each team with have to use what is given to find these answers. The teacher will then lead a class discussion about how much quicker and more convenient computers are. The teacher will then do the same thing but with calculators. The teacher will give out challenging math problems and see which group can come up with an answer quicker.
EDEL 453 - Spring 2013 Submitted by: Michael Feher Page 2 of 3

Technology Day 3 Social Studies Lesson Plan Assessment: The teacher will assess the class by observing the brainstorming activity. The teacher will also collect the letters and also assess the discussions when one group is using technology and the other group is not. Teacher will use informal observations. Reflection: Which part of the lesson do you think will be the easiest for you to teach? I think the easiest part of this lesson will be helping students understand how technology has made life easier and more efficient. Which part will be most challenging for you to teach? Explaining the negatives of technology might be challenging for the students to comprehend. How will you follow up or extend this lesson? I would follow up by using different technologies in my classroom. What can you do for students who dont grasp the concepts? For students who didnt grasp the concept I would pull them aside for additional help. This is a straight-forward lesson. Which part of the lesson, if any, do you think might need to change? I was debating whether or not to have them actually write a letter. I think they would understand the point of it without doing the writing. When you were writing this lesson plan, what was the most difficult part? The most difficult part was finding an activity that showed how technology has made our lives easier.

EDEL 453 - Spring 2013

Submitted by: Michael Feher

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