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How have the geography and economy of Michigan shaped our past?
What is the importance of major products produced in Michigan?
What do people consider when they want to produce and consume things in Michigan?
How might Michigan tourism positively affect our state economy?
d) Key Concepts:
Third Grade [impact of geography on economic activity and interactions; natural resources; human resources; capital resources;
manufacturing; agriculture; tourism; environmental impact; interdependence; scarcity; opportunity costs]
Natural Resources: Things in nature that people find useful
Human Resources: Workers and their skills
Capital Resources: Goods that are used to produce more goods and services
Economic Activities: Different ways people use resources and produce goods and services
Manufacturing: The making of goods in a factory
Agriculture: Another word for farming
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Tourism: An economic activity where people(tourists) visit an area and spend money
Environmental Impact:
Interdependence: When people are dependent on other people in order to get the things they do not produce
Limited Resources: There are only certain amounts of resources
Scarcity: Not enough of something so people have to make choices
Opportunity Costs: When you make a choice, your opportunity cost is the second thing you wanted most
e). Rationale:
Teaching students about economics is a lifelong lesson. Students are already interacting with the economy using natural
resources, seeing capital resources everyday, and having many parents and family members as human resources. I am teaching this
because it is culturally and timely relevant as we are focusing on the economy of Michigan, their own state. We will touch a little on
the history of the economy but also how the geography of Michigan and its natural resources effect and influence our economy to
produce goods and services. Students will have plenty of opportunities to inquire about certain products or services they are familiar
with and be able to dissect and discover all the resources that go into that specific good or service. Michigan tourism is another big
concept in our unit. Making capital in our state only helps to fuel our home. Students will have a chance to learn about how the state
earns and uses its resources and how students can help now and in the future, their home state.
f). Unit Objectives:
1. Describe major kinds of economic activity in Michigan today.
2. Explain and understand the importance of tourism and recreation in Michigans economy.
3. Identify major products manufactured, farmed, and mined in Michigan including where theyre made and why.
4. Display using a graphic organizer the relationship between scarcity, choice, and opportunity costs.
5. Create a Michigan travel brochure emphasizing tourism areas and attractions.
6. Compare and contrast human, capital, and natural resources.
7. Exhibit how scarcity happens when wants are unlimited but resources are limited.
g). Grade Level Content Expectations (GLCEs), Content Standards, and Anti-Bias Standards:
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Reading different life stories about famous entrepreneurs and other famous economic influences will help integrate the unit.
We will be reading about Henry Ford, which students have had an introduction to already, different lumberjacks, a miner, and also a
Michigan farmer. All readings are intended to draw students into the authenticity of Michigans history.
b) Students preconceptions and interests:
Unfortunately I was instructed to work with students on the post assessment (used as a pre-assessment) in order to see growth from
start to finish. After this was given I took a look at the common areas where students lacked understanding and really focused on those
areas as I led this unit.
1. Capital Resources. One area I noticed students have no knowledge of is capital resource. No one could give an example or
definition so this was where I started my unit - talking about different kinds of resources. Some examples that were given by
students were: wood, water, Lansing resources
2. Opportunity Cost. I wasnt surprised that my students had not learned this term and were very unfamiliar with its definition. I
feel that choice and opportunity cost are everyday concepts so I wanted to make sure to teach these concepts in a hands-on
activity where students could see it play out. Only 5 out of 25 students chose the correct letter on the matching section of the
pre-assessment.
3. Carpet sitting. I began teaching this unit by giving the pre-assessment and introduction lesson at the rug. I quickly found that
with my students their learning preference was not going to be at the rug. Immediately I altered the plan and taught the
students from their seats or moving around (if the activity required movement). My students struggled to stay seated and quiet
and engaged in the lesson from the carpet. I had established many procedures and students helped to create expectations as
well but I chose to keep students at their seats where they were able to focus better and learn more effectively.
c). Linguistic, social and academic challenges, resources and supports:
For the child that wont sit down, I have designed several lessons that require movement and out of your seat participation.
This helps the child stay focused and works with their inability to sit still for a long period of time. For the child who lacks interest or
attention, I intend to use popcicle sticks to keep all students involved and accountable for their own learning. However, I also have
students who are shy and refuse to talk out loud when called on. In that case, I plan to host several turn and talks to give students a
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chance to share in a small group or with their peers before sharing out in the group. That gives those students an extra step of
confidence or something to say if they are struggling to come up with an answer.
I have a few students who are not at grade level on their reading. During the lessons where I require students to read a story, we
will be reading the story together as a class. I will choose readers who wish to read aloud as the rest follow along. Even though I have
planned to integrate reading into my unit, the focus still lies on the social studies concepts. For my advanced students, I will be issuing
a few chances for group work where my advanced students will be split up in order to lead and assist different leveled groups.
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a formative assessment. Students will complete a worksheet where they must identify the three different types of resources and give 2
examples of each resource for the production of Corn Flakes.
Lesson #4: This lesson will focus on the vocabulary term scarcity and opportunity cost. Students will be playing a scarcity game
where they must trade and make choices based on their wants and needs. We will then go over the concept of scarcity, choice, and
opportunity cost. Students will then work to create their own flash cards of the vocabulary words thus far.
Lesson #5: After reviewing and discussing the last lessons activity we will go through what an incentive is. Teacher will model what
an incentive is and how that causes us to make choices. Students will come up with other examples they can think of for incentives.
We will create a graphic organizer filling in the vocabulary. Students will see how resources, scarcity, incentives, and choice connect
and affect one another.
Lesson #6: The next lesson will focus on goods and services. There are many Michigan products that students are familiar with. We
will discover those different products. Students will then pin the product on the state. Students will get a chance to color their product
and place it on a big Michigan map where its location is.
Lesson #7: This lesson will first focus on mining in Michigan. Students and teacher will co-create an anchor chart of what they know
about mining, what they want to know, and what they learned after discussing the concept and products of mining. We will then move
to agriculture and farming in Michigan. We will create another chart of what we know, what we want to know, and then what we learn
after discussing Michigan farming products. Students will then create a writing of which they would rather do- be a miner or a farmer.
Their writing must include reasons why they choose what they did.
Lesson #8: We will continue our discussion on mining and agriculture. We will play a matching game to practice the difference
between how products are produced, whether they are mined or grown. Students will then have independent practice on their Chrome
books to do an activity on agriculture/farming.
Lesson #9: Today we will focus on lumbering in Michigan. This is a huge economic activity in the state of Michigan. Students will
read about lumberjacks and their job. We will then watch a video of why they lumbered. Students will then participate in an activity
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where they must choose how a product is produced. Is it mined? Is it grown? Is it cut down from trees? We will play a four corners
game will students must choose a designated corner and defend their answer.
Lesson #10: This lesson will focus on tourism in Michigan. Tourism today is a large portion of our economic activity. Students will
compare and contrast different tourism sites and events. Students will create a travel brochure that will encourage others to visit
Michigan. The remainder of this lesson will be used to review for the summative test. Students may work with a partner on their
flashcard vocabulary words.
Lesson #11: Today we will be playing jeopardy to review all the key concepts and ideas for the unit test. I will be counting off students
1,2 and divide teams accordingly. I will choose one person from each team to the be a score keeper. By drawing sticks I will choose
students to have their turn. When it is their turn they will choose a category and point value. Students understand that higher the point
value means the more difficult the questions.
Lesson #12: Assessment
b) Assessments:
Assessment: Create a chart listing 3-4 of the major kinds of economic activity in Michigan today. Illustrate a small sketch for
each activity.
Objective: Describe major kinds of economic activity in Michigan today.
Assessment: Design a travel brochure emphasizing 2-4 tourism sites in Michigan.
Objective: Explain and understand the importance of tourism and recreation in Michigans economy. AND Create a Michigan travel
brochure emphasizing tourism areas and attractions.
Assessment: Writing prompt with examples of manufactured goods.
Objective: Identify major products manufactured, farmed, and mined in Michigan including where theyre made and why.
Assessment: Observe as students create their graphic organizer. Ask students to verbally convey the connections between
concepts.
Objective: Display using a graphic organizer the relationship between scarcity, choice, and opportunity costs.
Assessment: List resources and at least 2 examples of each according to a Michigan product (Kelloggs Corn Flakes)
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Lesson #1
Your Name: Abby Straszheim
Grade Level: 3rd grade
School: Lakeside Elementary
Date: February 8th, 2016
Overall lesson topic/title & Duration of time: How
environment of Michigan?
Objectives for todays lesson: Students will be able to identify natural resources and understand
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where they come from and how they help to produce goods and services.
MI GLCEs
3 - E1.0.4:
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Card #1: Natural Resources
We are going to create on our chart paper natural resources that
you know of in Michigan and what kinds of goods these
resources produce
Ideas:
Fertile soil- corn, soybeans, potatoes, apples
Trees- lumber, furniture
Water- manufactured goods (cars)
Iron- cars, tools
Limestone- steel, cement
Oil- plastic
Sand- glass
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SUMMARIZE (AFTER)
Go over worksheet- some possible answers might be water, soil,
cucumbers, salt, sand(glass jar)
So a natural resource is any resource that is used to produce
goods that is found in NATURE.
Our next card is about human resources, which will start with
tomorrow.
Assessment:
Collecting the resource chart that students came up with will
be a good indication is they were listening and caught on to
the concept or if you need to begin tomorrows lesson with
natural resource review.
Lesson #4a
Social Studies- Economy of MI
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remain unlimited the item becomes scarce. This is a concept of daily economics in our classroom and in their lives. When there is only one prize
and everyone wants it, that item becomes scarce.
Materials & supplies needed: Scarcity game rules, envelopes with tokens printed (2 per bag)
Introduction to the lesson
Place the objective statement under the document camera. Read through it once. Ask the
students which words they are familiar with in that objective. Go through how we know what
resources and what the concept of a want is compared to a need.
We will play a game about scarcity today. My scarcity game has very specific rules. Lets
listen closely to the rules because if we dont follow them our game will have to end. (5
minutes)
OUTLINE of key events during the lesson
Place game rules under the document camera and read through.
1. Each person will get a bag of 2 tokens or items.
2. You will trade or barter for an item that you want or need.
3. You MUST trade at least one of your items in the first round and also during the second
round you must trade at least one of your items.
4. We will play 2 rounds only.
5. Only trade with one person at a time.
6. We will be trading at a level 1 voice.
Go through each rule and model rule 2, 5, and 6.
Briefly look at a few envelopes and point out several items. (10 mins)
Lets see you might receive an envelope with a free bathroom pass. You could get a cookie, a
pack of stickers, a first in line for recess pass, a homework pass, a lunch bunch ticket, and
others.
I will be pulling sticks for the first three bags and then the rest I will place on your desk.
Social support- Fair treatment to start the
game so there is no discrepancy of who
received those hot items
Pull stick for the bag with a cookie in it, smartie pack, and stickers.
Then place a bag on everyones desk. Set the timer for 2 minutes.
The trade is OPEN.
Students will roam around the room looking for someone to trade with. After the two minutes is
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All right boys and girls you now need to tear off a small piece of paper, write your name on
it, and then place it in your baggie.
Once I pick up your bag off your desk you may go back and get your book box for read-toself time.
Assessment I will be looking for and listening to participation and their own observations as
we compare the scarce item raised with the rest of the wants raise their hands.
Lesson #4b
Your Name: Abby Straszheim
Grade Level: 3rd grade
School: Lakeside Elementary
Date: February 11th, 2016
Overall lesson topic/title & Duration of time: Choices
Objectives for todays lesson: When we have to make a choice, our second choice is the
opportunity cost.
MI GLCEs
3 - E1.0.1:
Explain how scarcity, opportunity costs, and choices affect what is produced and
consumed in Michigan.
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EXPLORE (DURING)
Walk around as students are coloring and point out how
beautiful different pictures are.
While students are working, walk around and place a pair of
scissors on every desk. Quietly remind students not to touch or
play with the scissors; they should only be coloring right now.
After the timer goes offOkay class now I would like you cut out the pictures.
What do you notice?
Which animal did you start cutting out first?
What happened to the other animal?
(15 minutes)
SUMMARIZE (AFTER)
Draw popcicle sticks to begin discussionWhat animal did you choose to cut?
What did you notice happen to the other animal?
Okay so you had to make a choice. If you chose to cut out the
turtle, the rabbit picture that you worked so hard on got all cut
up and could no longer be represented in the hallway.
Draw sticks. Show me your choice picture. Now show me your
second choice. Your second choice is the one you gave up, or
the one that got cut up.
Your second choice is called the opportunity cost.
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(10 minutes)
Assessment:
Whole class formative assessment:
Hold up in the air and show me your choice.
Now show me your opportunity cost.
Show me choice.
Show me choice.
Show me opportunity cost.
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The unit was designed upon 7 different unit objectives. Most of these objectives were met and students mastered according to
their post-assessment. I was not able to sufficiently teach about tourism. This economic activity was not focused on due to time
constraints and was not a part of the district assessment. Had I had more time, we would have completed those unit objectives as
well. Not only did I have students identifying products made through manufacturing, farming, and mining, but I had students
identify what kinds of resources are needed in the process of these economic activities.
As a class we focused on one specific economic activity for one given lesson. After discussing and exploring an activity like
farming, we created a circle-thinking map to convey all our new information. Students were able to use all these thinking maps to
help them study for the assessment. These worked as nice visuals for students to compare and contrast the different economic
activities that contribute to the economy of Michigan. Below, under the artifacts section, you will see an example of a circle map
and another activity we did to compare resources.
Along with learning about the actual activities and what they look like, students also gained an insight into those careers or
fields. We talked a lot of the working conditions of a miner and the areas of focus for farmers. This took the learning outside the
test for students to see the real-life connections.
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account all procedures, students, and schedule conflicts. One of my lesson plans included in this document provides a copy of the
scarcity game rules that we played. Students really seemed to grasp the concept without even really knowing the specific
vocabulary and its textbook definition. This was a feature in the unit that I know went over well when referring to my post
assessment data. The data showed which area most or all students did well on.
One area that I learned after teaching this unit is to provide examples, examples, and examples. I found that modeling is
effective, group work is effective, and small groups are effective. However, putting all three of these teaching methods together
provides students with enough examples to fully understand and succeed. When topics are very broad, I have found that you need
to focus on specific areas of study and then dig deep within those concepts. Giving students a deep understanding of a few Social
Studies concepts is more beneficial than a surface level of too many concepts. If students have a deeper understand then they are
able to apply it to their lives, see the concept in real life, and then draw from that knowledge when learning a new concept.
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