Classroom Teaching

Lauren M., Sam and myself were the first group to begin teaching our unit on the American Revolution to 4th graders at Bishop Dunn Memorial School.

Our Topic: The Road to the Revolution

3 Lesson were taught on the Events leading up to the American Revolution.  The focus was on the cause and effects of the following events:

• The French and Indian War
• The Stamp Act
• Boston Tea Party
• Battles at Lexington and Concord
• Fort Ticonderoga

First Lesson: Direct Instruction

Goal:  To introduce new concepts to students

A powerpoint was used to teach topics and check for understanding

Take a look at our first lesson:

Second Lesson: Iquiry Lesson
Goal:  Students will explore and analyze artifacts from this time period and solve a problem.

A prezi presntation was used in the classroom.  Students were given mystery boxes to identify the event the objects belong to.

Click on the Prezi below to take a look!

Third Lesson:  Cooperative Learning

Goal: Students will write a newspaper article while developing social skills.

Students were assigned roles to complete the task.  The groups used the supplied resources to create a newpaper article as if they are in colonial times.

Newspaper Articles Created by the Students:

What I Learned:

• Tremendous work goes into the design of a unit plan
• It is important to use assessment and evaluation to guide planning and lesson goals
• Be ready to adjust and modify
• Be flexible and Prepared
• Have Fun and the Students will too!

It can be difficult to get students attention when involved in active work.  Click on the image below for teacher tips on getting students' attention:

"People never learn anything by being told, they have to find out for themselves."

                                                                 -Paulo Coelho