EDU 375-601/602 Social Studies Mini-Unit Plan

(40 points) Written Unit Plan DUE on Dec. 8 and Poster Presentation (Starts on Dec. 13 and Finishes on Dec. 20, when everyone must be present to get a final course grade.)

Each student is expected to develop an elementary grade level (4, 5, and 6 th grades) social studies unit plan of at least four connected lessons. The unit will be judged on such factors as rationale, the quality of its content, its use of appropriate and engaging instructional strategies, and clarity of procedures. Each student turns in one final project (hard copy only), which is due on December 8. Each student will present the main ideas of his or her unit plan using a poster, which will be due on Dec. 13 and the final exam date (Dec. 20), depending on which date you sign up to present. All students must be present on Dec. 20 to get a final course grade.

The written mini-unit plans turned in after Dec. 8 will receive a reduction of 5 points. Please follow the format instructions for the unit plan as it is described in the instructions using headings and subheadings to identify each section. It is not necessary to turn in copies of published resources. Turn in copies of handouts that you have created yourself.  If you create transparencies, turn these in on regular paper and label each “transparency”. List published materials or Internet sites in your materials section in an APA style. Please feel free to use the provided lesson plan template.

Part I: Introduction (5 points)

_____  (2) Rationale - The teacher explains:

• why it is important for students to learn the content and skills that are included in this unit
• how this unit address the goals of social studies education
• why the instructional time was divided as it was
• the teaching strategies that are used and why these strategies are appropriate

_____  (3) New York State Learning Standards

The specific NY Learning Standards addressed in the unit are identified. Please include key ideas and performance indicators that your unit is related to.

http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/ciai/social.html

Part II: Lesson Plans (20 points) The Unit should have at least 4 connected lesson plans.

_____ (2) Lesson Rationale - The teacher explains:

• why it is important for students to learn the content and skills that will be taught in this lesson.
• how this lesson fits into the overall unit
• how the knowledge and skills gained in this lesson help students to accomplish the broader goals of the unit

_____ (2) New York State Learning Standards

• The specific standards addressed in the lesson are identified
• The standards that are identified are apparent in the lesson

_____ (3) Procedures

• each lesson is divided into an introductory activity, developmental activities, and a culminating activity
• estimates of the time required for each activity are included

_____ (3) Introductory activity (focus/warm-up)

• introductory activities are likely to be interesting and motivating for students
• introductory activities seek to access the prior knowledge of students

_____ (4) Developmental activities

• described in enough detail that another person could envision what will happen in the classroom
• activities are likely to engage students in a way that will build content knowledge and skills
• a variety of appropriate teaching strategies are utilized

_____ (3) Culminating activity (closure/formative evaluation)

• culminating activities provide logical closures to the lessons
• activities afford students the opportunity to demonstrate whether or not they have gained the intended knowledge and skills

_____ (3) Materials

• a wide variety of appropriate instructional materials are utilized
• teacher-generated handouts were produced and are included
• published materials and internet sites are listed as bibliographic citations in an APA style

Part III: Unit Assessment (5 points)

_____ (5) Project or Exam

• Through a final assessment, students must demonstrate the knowledge and skills gained through the unit lessons (This may be a project or an exam)
• If the final product is a project, provide a handout that will be given to students that explains the project in detail and a detailed rubric or checklist is provided that explains how students will be assessed. The rubric assesses both knowledge and skills that should have been gained through the unit.
• If the final assessment is an exam, provide a copy of the exam and key.  The exam must assess all objectives contained in the unit using a variety of question formats.

Part IV: Presentation (10 points)

Create a poster to present the main ideas of your Unit Plan using the following outline: 

_______ (3) On your poster, make sure you include the title of your unit

plan, your name, the grade level, and instruction time

_______ (2) On your poster, list the desired student outcome(s) you'd choose for this

unit.

_______ (2) On your poster, describe one selected activity and explain why you think

it is important for this unit.

Oral presentation. Each student will present his or her Unit Plan in 5 minutes.
________ (2) The oral presentation highlighted objectives and major activities of

the Unit Plan by adding interesting details and emphasizing your understanding of the significance of your chosen Unit.

_________(1) The presenter speaks clearly and fluently. He or she does not just read notes. He or she makes efforts to remain eye contacts with his or her audience.

YOUR SCORE ___________

GENERAL COMMENTS: