Teaching Elementary School Social Studies
Taught by Christy Keeler, Ph.D.

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Lesson Plan:
Interdisciplinary Unit Planning II


Objectives:

Students will
  • Students will create playground maps and identify means of using these maps to enhance social studies learning of elementary students.
  • Students will develop elementary-level interdisciplinary unit plans using social studies content for the primary unit theme.
Materials:
  • Computer with lecture slides
  • Chalk (5 boxes)
  • Chalkboard erasers (2)
  • Chalk line (1)
  • Masking tape (2 rolls)
  • Measuring tape (2)
  • Pencils (4)
  • Large eraser (2)
  • Butcher paper with gridlines for a Nevada map (3" X 6")
  • Black Sharpie markers (4)
  • Scotch tape (1 roll)
  • Playground map guide sheets (World, U.S.A., Nevada)
  • Camera
  • Flash drive
  • Laptop computers with Internet access (1 per group of 4 students)
  • iPod with music suitable for use in elementary social studies classrooms
  • Portable iPod speakers<>
  • <>Extra Unit Plan grading rubrics
Procedures:

Acquire permission to use chalk in an area outside of the classroom building. Before class, lay chalk guidelines for the world and U.S.A. playground maps on a cleaned area of sidewalk. Also, prepare the grid for Nevada on large butcher paper and hang this on a flat wall. Meet students outside of the building where the chalk lines are drawn.

Play social studies-themed music using an iPod and portable speakers as students create the playground maps.

Playground Maps (20 minutes)

As students arrive, explain to each how to transfer maps from paper to an enlarged grid. Give each student a piece of chalk and a guide sheet. [Assign those students who have allergies to chalk or who cannot sit on the ground to the Nevada map and provide them with pencils and Sharpie markers.] Have all students begin transferring their images to the sidewalk/butcher paper. Allow students ten minutes to work, then transition back to the classroom. Take pictures of students as they work on the maps.

Ask students:
  • Why would you want to create playground maps and how could you use them to teach or reinforce content?
  • What logistics would you need to consider before and after engaging in this activity? Answers may include:
    • Procure permission from the school’s administrators
    • Check the weather forecast for the intended activity day
    • Communicate with the school’s head custodian about the activity and ensure the sprinklers will not affect the selected area
    • Acquire parental assistance
    • Purchase paint and ask parents to check and paint over the lines
Opening (5 minutes)
  • Review daily objectives.
  • Review daily outline.
Guided Practice: Interdisciplinary Unit Planning (25 minutes)

Students will continue to work in groups (from the previous session) to develop a five-day, theme-based interdisciplinary unit plan. Provide each group with a laptop computer with Internet access (to access their saved interdisciplinary unit plans).

Presentations: Interdisciplinary Unit Planning (20 minutes)

Have each group present their interdisciplinary unit plan. As they do so, discuss the teaching strategies utilized in the plans, the ability of the plan to address a variety of learning styles, and the ability of their selected activities to reach an audience with varying cognitive levels. Finally, discuss with students methods of ensuring logical sequencing of a unit. Have each group email their unit to the instructor. Inform all students that these units will be accessible from the Materials section of the course website. If groups would like to continue working on their interdisciplinary unit plans, they may submit an electronic copy via email to the instructor who will replace the current version with the updated version.

Closing (5 minutes)

Absence Requirements
  1. Review this lesson plan, view the lecture slides, and procure a copy of any notes from a colleague.
  2. Use the Nevada grid map to create a Nevada map that is 3' wide by 5' tall (see your instructor for butcher paper).
  3. Provide at least five answers for the following two questions: "Why would you want to create playground maps?" and "How could you use playground maps to teach or reinforce content?"
  4. Complete the five day interdisciplinary unit plan started with your colleagues during the previous session.

E-Mail: Christy Keeler, Ph.D.
Homepage: Christy Keeler, Ph.D.