Lesson Plan Guide

Teacher Candidate: Carly Thomason

Date: November 16, 2016

Grade and Topic: 1st Grade, Social Studies

Mentor Teacher: Dr. Cornelius

Length of Lesson: 45- 60 minutes

School: University of Memphis

UNIT/CHAPTER OBJECTIVE/GENERALIZATION/BIG IDEA:

This lesson on Tennessee state symbols is a part of a unit covering Government and Civics.

LESSON OBJECTIVE:
Given access to Kidspiration and the website all-free-download.com, the learner will be able to identify the state
symbols with 100 % accuracy.
The student is expected to create a graphic organizer on these state symbols using Kidspiration and all-freedownload.com to obtain images that they may need to complete the assignment. The student is also expected to
write a paragraph about why they think that these symbols are/are not good choices.
STANDARDS ADDRESSED:
TN Social Studies -1.34 Create a visual representation, such as a graphic organizer, of Tennessee symbols,
including the state tree (Tulip Poplar), flower (Iris), motto (Agriculture and Commerce), animal (raccoon),
nickname (Volunteer State), flag, and one song (Tennessee Waltz, Rocky Top). Write an opinion piece
explaining why you think these are/are not good choices, including supporting detail.

ISTE - 3. Research and information Fluency: Students apply digital tools to gather, evaluate, and use information.
b. Locate, organize, analyze, synthesize, and ethically use information from a variety of sources and media.
1. Students demonstrate creative thinking, construct knowledge, and develop innovative products and processes
using technology. b. Creative original works as a means of personal or group expression.

MATERIALS:
Pencil
Paper
Computer
Internet Access to:

Kidspiration
Free pictures http://all-free-download.com/
Matching Activity handout

BACKGROUND and RATIONALE:

The learner will be able to identify and correctly label the Tennessee state symbols by creating a graphic
organizer.
Academic Language is not addressed in IDT 3600.

This lesson is a continuation of TN Social Studies Standard 1.34.

We will refer to this activity later throughout the year as we continue to learn more about state of Tennessee and its
history.

I am aware that the lesson will be differentiated for students who did not master the objectives and for those
ready for enrichment. However, modifications are not covered in this course and are not part of this particular
lesson.

PROCEDURES AND TIMELINE:

Introduction:
Do you know what a symbol is? A symbol is something that is used to represent a place or thing. For
example, did you know that each state has a different symbol for their state animal or even their state
flower. In this case, a symbol is being used to show each states unique, cultural heritage. Today we are
going to be talking about the different state symbols that Tennessee has and why they are special and
unique to Tennessee.

Procedures:
ACTIVITY 1
Prior to the computer
1. The teacher will pass out the Matching Activity Handout and have students complete to test their
knowledge on the Tennessee State symbols. (10 minutes to complete)
2. After each student has completed the Activity, the teacher will go over the correct answers and the
students will grade their own paper.
3. After the activity has been gone over and the students have the correct answers, they will be allowed to
keep this handout as a reference to complete the second activity at the computer.
ACTIVITY 2
Prior to the computer
1. Teacher will show example of completed graphic organizer so that students can see what the completed
project should look like.
2. Teacher will then show on their computer how to access Kidspiration and where the other website
should already be bookmarked.
At the computer
1. Teacher will have Kidspiration opened on each students laptop with the other website bookmarked so
that they have access to it.
2. Students will then create their own graphic organizer.
3. After each student has completed the activity, they will then print out a copy of it.
After the computer
1. Students will then share with the class their completed graphic organizer and explain why they chose the
images they did.
2. After each student has had their chance to share the completed activity, the teacher should then take up
all completed graphic organizers.

Closure: Each student is to write a paragraph (3-5 sentences) about why they think that these symbols are/are
not good choices to represent Tennessee. If they are not good choices, students must provide reasons behind it
not being a good choice and what they think would be a better symbol.

ASSESSMENT EVIDENCE:
The student will be assessed on their graphic organizer using the following rubric.

Criteria

Content

7 out of the 7 symbols are

correctly labeled.

5 out of the 7 symbols are

correctly labeled.

3 out of the 7 symbols are

correctly labeled.

Organization

Organizer is well organized

and is easy to understand.

Organizer is somewhat
organized and easy to
understand but has missing
images and labels.

Organizer is not well

organized and is hard to
understand.

Appearance

Organizer has a title, easy to

read font, and has a graphic
for each symbol.

Organizer has at least 4 out

of 7 graphics for each of the
7 symbols.

Organizer does not have a

graphic and/or title.

MODIFICATIONS:
I am aware that modifications will be made for students who did not master the objective and for those ready for
enrichment. However, modifications are not covered in this course and are not part of this particular lesson.