The document outlines a lesson plan for teaching fourth grade students about the Declaration of Independence. It will utilize videos, podcasts, group projects, class discussion, and social media. Students will be divided into groups to create their own Declarations of Independence expressing reasons why colonists wanted freedom from Britain. They will give their documents an old appearance and post pictures on the class Facebook page along with comments summarizing the key ideas of the actual Declaration of Independence. The teacher will evaluate student understanding through class discussion, checking their work, and assessing their ability to describe the major components and leaders involved in the Declaration of Independence.

1. Katie Napier
CI 350
Harold Blanco
11 November 2013
Day Four: Declaration of Independence
I.
Analyze Learners: Overall, there are twenty-two students in my fourth grade class
(thirteen of whom are girls, and the other nine are boys). In addition, there are three
African American students in my classroom, and all of my students are between the
ages of eight and nine. Due to the diverse learning styles featured within my class, I
will incorporate a variety of teaching methods (such as: cooperative group projects,
visual aids, songs, role play, etc.).
II.
State Objectives: My fourth grade students will identify and describe key ideas
presented within the Declaration of Independence through the utilization of videos,
podcasts, group projects, andclass discussionby the end of the day with 95%
accuracy.
III.
Selecting Methods, Material, and Media: In order to accommodate for the various
learning styles of my students, I will utilize the following methods, media, and
materials throughout this lesson:
Video:I will utilize the smartboard throughout this lesson to display a video
clip that I created to describe our group projects that will be completed at
the end of this lesson.
Podcasts: In this podcast, the children will listen to a portion of the book
entitled: The Story of the Declaration of Independence by Norman Richards.
Group Projects: The students will work together to create their own
Declarations of Independence that expresses why they believe the colonists
should be free from British rule.

2. Materials for Project: The materials for the group project include: chart
paper, cups, paper towels, tea, black markers, cookie sheets, and sponge
brushes.
Facebook: Each groupwill utilize class iPads to upload a picture of their
creations onto our class Facebook page. Underneath their group pictures,
students will be required to place a comment describing the key elements of
the Declaration of Independence (which must be written in their own words).
IV.
Utilizing Methods and Materials: Prior to class, I will check that such
electronic devices as the class computer and smart board are working
properly so that the students will be able to watch the video and listen to the
podcast that will be utilized in this lesson. Furthermore, I will make sure that
the student area is arranged into pods so that the children can easily
complete the group project that will be assigned. In addition, all necessary
materials (such as chart paper, cups, markers, sponge brushes, iPads, etc.)
will be located at the supply station in the back of the room; this will enable
all students to easily access needed materials.
V.
Require Learner Participation:In order to introduce this lesson, I will remind
the students that many of the colonists were displeased with the legislation
and policies that were being implemented by England. At this point, I will ask
the students to provide examples of such “unjust” legislation (discussed in
previous lessons). Once the students have had the opportunity to express
their thoughts, I will inform the students that we will be listening to a

3. podcast that describes the major components of the Declaration of
Independence. After listening to mypodcast, the students will be divided into
cooperative learning groups. In these groups, the students will be asked to
create their own version of the Declaration of Independence which must
describe a minimum of five reasons why they (as American colonists) desire
to secede from Great Britain. In order give these projects an authentic look,
the students will watch the video that I created describing how to utilize tea,
cookie sheets, and ingenuity to give a document an antique appearance.
Once the students have completed these projects, each group will utilize a
class iPad to upload a picture of their declarations onto the class blog. Under
these pictures, each group will place a comment describing the key principles
presented in the Declaration of Independence.
VI.
Evaluate and Revise:In order to assess student comprehension, I will:
Stimulate class discussion
.Circulate around the room to check that all students are actively involved in
their cooperative learning groups.
Check that each group’s declaration describes a minimum of five reasons
why they (as colonists) should be free from British rule.
Ask students to identify and describe the major components of the
Declaration of Independence that were discussed in class.
Ask the students to identify the key leaders that were involved with the
creation of this document.

4. Check that each Facebook comment accurately describes the major
principles presented in the Declaration of Independence