SIENA HEIGHTS UNIVERSITY

Lesson Plan Template

Teacher Candidate Documentation:

Travis Stricklin
SST Independent Study
2/26/17
Tyler George
Virtual Reality Field Trip
Lesson Documentation:
Lesson #3
Virtual Trip To Washington D.C.
3rd Grade Social Studies
60 minutes
Whole group/Individual
Standards:
D1.4.K-2. Make connections between supporting questions and compelling questions.
D2.Civ.5.K-2. Explain what governments are and some of their functions.
D2.Civ.10.K-2. Compare their own point of view with others perspectives.
D2.Eco.12.K-2. Describe examples of the goods and services that governments provide.

Objective(s):
The learner will make connections between questions they have and facts present within
the virtual tour.
The learner will be able to explain some aspects of government, and their functions.
The learner will compare their own points of view to that of our government, as well as
to that of their peers.
The learner will be able to identify and describe goods and services that our government
provides for us as citizens.
Instructional and Assessment Materials:
Projector
Virtual Tour Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=iK3GsAcwKaI&index=3&list=PLWQAZQxWIEP2RSEn_qJH1zlDzQO1Yi_Aj
25 virtual tour handouts
25 bell ringer papers
Pencils
Chromebooks

Anticipatory Set:
Bell Ringer: Have students immediately come down and look at the questions written on the
board, What do you know about our government? Do you know where our government offices

Eleanor Wollett, Ph.D., August 2014

are? Do you know what a virtual tour is? Answers to these questions are to be written on the
bell ringer sheets that have been placed on all desks prior to class beginning.

Allow the students 15 minutes to ponder/answer these questions, walk around encouraging
deeper discussion amongst the tables and what kinds of things they know, think they know, or
what to know about our government. After about 10-15 minutes or so, have one person share
from each table what types of things were being discussed in their group.

Instructional Input:
Transition into the idea of virtual tours. Compare it to a virtual reality video game, or a 3D type
movie, etc. This will help the students get into the mind frame that they will be touring
Washington D.C. learning about our government today.

After some discussion on virtual tours, hand out the worksheet that is to be completed
throughout the tour. This will help students stay focused throughout the tour as well as be guided
through the immense amount of things that will be presented to them. (Remember they are 3rd
graders so they may need some help.)

Guided Practice of New Learning

Begin the video, pause the video after the answer to the first question has been presented to them
and take a small assessment seeing which students were following along and go the answer, as
well as those who may need extra hints to get the answer. Do the same thing for the second and
third questions before letting the rest of the video play out without stopping unless asked by the
students.

Formative Assessment:
Throughout the class walk around and see which students are missing answers, which students
are following along with the virtual tour format of todays class, and which students are drifting
further and further into left field.

After the completion of the tour and the class, collect their papers with the answers to the
questions in order to assess how the students did.

Independent Practice:
The students will be working independently throughout the tour of Washington D.C., filling out
their answer sheet guide as the video progresses. Make sure although this is to be completed
independently that the students know you will be there to help them throughout the tour. Also be
willing to stop the tour if students are beginning to get the puzzled look on their faces. Allow
time to rewind some, help with answers, and guide them in the right direction.

Closure:

Eleanor Wollett, Ph.D., August 2014

Close with the students discussing what they learned, walking through the answers to the
worksheet (with open ended questions and discussion amongst the students), as well as any
questions they may have. This should take about 15-20 minutes depending on the amount of
discussion that goes on.

Once you have gone through the answers and allowed time for discussion, questions, and any
other things that you feel necessary, collect the papers to assess later. Then instruct students to
turn over their bell ringer sheets and answer the new question that you have written on the white
board, What do you NOW know about the government and Washington D.C.? Do you have any
questions that went unanswered during todays tour? How did you like the virtual tour through
the capital and our government vs. the normal book and notes version?

Collect exit tickets and dismiss students.

I selected this trip to tour the students through Washington D.C. because I find this to be one of
the most incredible cities in the entire world. The immense amount of artifacts, landmarks, and
events that take place in this city every day are truly amazing. I feel that third graders will really
benefit from this virtual tour because it takes them beyond the simple outline that is covered in
most textbooks. It digs deeper into things like the Lincoln Memorial, the Arlington Cemetery,
and so many more important places in our countries history. The standards listed at the beginning
of my lesson align almost perfect to the video and worksheet/guide that I created as I watched
the video. I feel that this is a great way to mix up instruction and really keep the students on their
toes. This will excite them more than any lecture on the government section in our textbook in
my opinion.

Eleanor Wollett, Ph.D., August 2014

 Bell Ringer

Eleanor Wollett, Ph.D., August 2014

Name:_________________________________________________ Date:__________________

Virtual Tour: Washington D.C.

Directions: Once the virtual tour has begun, follow along with the questions as they will go right
along with the video. I will stop the video after the first couple of questions to make sure we are
getting the answers as the tour answers them!

1. What river runs through the city and can be seen from many vantage points around town?
a. __________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
2. Who was the United States first president?
a. __________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
3. Which president has been given the title of The Great Emancipator?
a. __________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
4. How many columns circle around the Lincoln Memorial?
a. __________________________________________________________________
5. Which president led the United States through the great depression?
a. __________________________________________________________________
6. What is the gathering place called in the center of the Arlington Cemetery?
a. __________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
7. How many feet is the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and how many names are inscribed on
it?
a. __________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
8. What are the three branches of government that work together to run our country?
a. __________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
9. Why are there three branches of government?
a. __________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
10. Who is the head of the executive branch?
a. __________________________________________________________________
11. How many justices are appointed by the president and how long do these justices serve
once they are appointed?
a. __________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
12. When was the Library of Congress established?

Eleanor Wollett, Ph.D., August 2014

 a. __________________________________________________________________
13. How many miles of bookshelves are there in the Library of Congress?
a. __________________________________________________________________
14. What building in Washington D.C. serves as the headquarters for the department of
defense?
a. __________________________________________________________________
15. What did you find most interesting from todays tour through Washington D.C?
a. __________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________

Eleanor Wollett, Ph.D., August 2014