This lesson plan is for a third grade geography unit on climates of the Earth. The students have basic computer skills and prefer working in groups to reading textbooks or taking paper tests. The objectives are for students to create a KWL chart about climates, identify different climate categories, and compose mini-essays on Twitter about climates in places they visited. The lesson utilizes a KWL chart, mini-essays, and YouTube videos, with students required to participate and their work evaluated.
1. Unit Plan- Geography of the Earth
Day 4 – Climates of the Earth
A- Analyze Learner
Learners General Characteristics
This lesson and unit is for third grade students in an
Elementary comprehensive classroom setting. Students are
between 8 and 9 years of age. None of the students have severe
learning disabilities however some suffer from mild ADHD. The
classroom is not racially or socially diverse as that all of the
students are Caucasian. Most of them are from white middle
class families in a very rural area. Generally, the class is well
behaved with the exception of about 4 students.
Entry Competencies
Students possess basic computer skills and can easily
access and surf the Internet.
Students are previously familiar with YouTube and have
classroom related Twitter accounts.
Learner Styles
Students dislike reading from textbooks and do not
perform well on paper and pencil assessments. They prefer to
work in groups as a team as opposed to alone.
2. S- State Objectives
Students will achieve the following objectives in the computer
lab at 100% accuracy by the end of the week.
Students will create a KWL chart about climates.
Students will identify the different categories of climate.
Students will compose a “mini essay” via twitter.
S- Select Methods, Media, and Materials
Methods – KWL chart, mini essay, visual aids.
Media – YouTube, Twitter
Materials – Computer with Internet, paper and pencil.
U- Utilize Media and Materials
Have students create a KWL chart about climates.
Present YouTube video on climates
Twitter assignment- Where was your favorite vacation at
and what was the climate there like? What category was it
in? Tweet me your answers!
Have students finish their KWL chart and hang on wall.
R- Require Learner Participation
Students will be required to participate in the Twitter
mini essay and make the KWL chart. Encourage students to
discuss and ask one another about their vacations they
tweeted about.
3. E- Evaluate and Revise
Students will be evaluated on their responses to the mini
essay and the completion of their KWL chart.
The teacher will ask the students how they felt about
their asignments for the day and how they liked the YouTube
video.