Direct Instruction Lesson Plan Template

Grade Level/Subject: Fourth Grade/Social Studies Central Focus: To Have students analyze the relationship of several North Carolina state symbols and understand their historical significance. Date submitted: Date taught:

Essential Standard/Common Core Objective: 4.H.2.2 Explain the historical significance of North Carolinas state symbols.

Daily Lesson Objective: After reading through the North Carolina: State Symbols Brochure, students will answer the questions provided by referencing the text for key clues with 100% accuracy. 21st Century Skills: Academic Language Demand (Language Function and Vocabulary): Academic Language: Analyze Vocabulary: Analyze, Symbols, Commodity, Historical Significance, Gemstone, Inhabitant, Pollinate Prior Knowledge: Based on the SS CCSS 4.H.1.1, 4.H.1.2, 4.H.1.3, and 4.H.1.4 standards, students should already know how to summarize the change in cultures, everyday life and status of indigenous American Indian groups in North Carolina before and after European exploration, explain how and why North Carolina was established, Explain how people, events, and developments brought about changes to communities in various regions of North Carolina, and analyze North Carolinas role in major conflicts and wars from the pro-colonial period through reconstruction. Activity Description of Activities and Setting When you learn about North Carolinas history, you need to consider every aspect. One thing that helps retell North Carolinas history is its many symbols. State symbols are classified under many categories such as state flag, state dog, or state flower. These symbols help share what we are best known for. Today we will learn about North Carolinas state symbols and their meaning. You as a class will read and discover that North Carolina has many unique qualities that are expressed through these symbols. You will be given a brochure to read that talks about each symbol and where it originated. It is important as a citizen of North Carolina to be familiar with some of our state symbols because being aware of our state symbols means that you are aware of our state history. A State symbol is something that represents the most favored item of a particular group. Groups could be things such as state flower, state gemstone, state shell, or state flag. Once again, it is important to know our state symbols because it shows that you are familiar with our state history. Every citizen who lives in North Carolina should be proud of the rich history and culture that the state has provided. Explain to the students that they will be tested on their state symbol knowledge. Place 8 pictures around the room (Cardinal, Robyn, Plot Hound, Labrador Retriever, Corn, Sweet Potato, Eastern Box Turtle, and Green Anole Lizard). Ask students to take their daybooks and record which item they think is the state bird, state vegetable, state reptile, and state dog. Students will only be permitted to choose one picture per category. Once students have had time (5 minutes) to write down their selection, gather them back to their seats using an attention getter (counting down from 5.) Call on a select number of students to share their findings and explain why they picked that certain item to represent the state symbol. Once students have finished explaining, reveal the answers about each state symbol. State Bird/Cardinal The Cardinal is sometimes called the Winter Redbird because it is most Time

1. Focus and Review

1 min.

2. Statement of Objective for Student

1 min.

3. Teacher Input

5-10 min.

4. Guided Practice

10-15 min.

noticeable during the winter when it is the only "redbird" present. A yearround resident of North Carolina, the Cardinal is one of the most common birds in our gardens, meadows, and woodlands. The male Cardinal is red all over, except for the area of its throat and the region around its bill which is black; it is about the size of a Catbird only with a longer tail. The head is conspicuously crested and the large stout bill is red. The female is much duller in color with the red confined mostly to the crest, wings, and tail. This difference in coloring is common among many birds. Since it is the female that sits on the nest, her coloring must blend more with her natural surroundings to protect her eggs and young from predators. There are no seasonal changes in her plumage. State Dog/Plot Hound The Plott Hound breed originated in the mountains of North Carolina around 1750 and is the only breed known to have originated in this State. Named for Jonathan Plott who developed the breed as a wild boar hound, the Plott Hound is a legendary hunting dog known as a courageous fighter and tenacious tracker. He is also a gentle and extremely loyal companion to hunters of North Carolina. The Plott Hound is very quick of foot with superior treeing instincts and has always been a favorite of big-game hunters. State Reptile/Eastern Box Turtle The General Assembly of 1979 designated the Eastern box turtle as the official State Reptile for North Carolina. (Session Laws, 1979, c. 154). The eastern box turtle is terrestrial, meaning it lives on land, and is most commonly found in and near wooded areas. These turtles' high domed top shells and hinged bottom shells allow them to completely close their shells for protection when predators are on the prowl. Eastern box turtles hibernate in winter and the females typically lay their eggs in June and July. These turtles can live longer than 50 years! While still common in many areas, the eastern box turtle population has declined, partly due to human activity, including being caught as pets and the destruction of its natural habitats. State Vegetable/Sweet Potato The sweet potato was officially designated the State Vegetable by the General Assembly of 1995. (Session Laws, 1995, c. 521). Students at a Wilson County school petitioned the North Carolina General Assembly for the establishment of the sweet potato as the Official State Vegetable. North Carolina is the largest producer of sweet potatoes in the nation, harvesting over four billion pounds of the vegetable in 1989. The sweet potato is high in vitamins A and C and low in fat and was grown in North Carolina before the European colonization of North America. After explaining these findings bring the students back to their table for further instruction about the independent practice.

Pass out the North Carolina State Symbols Brochure to each table. Explain to students that they will be responsible for reading the entire article and will be allowed to take notes as they read (give 10 minutes). Once students have read through the majority of the article, pass out the Scavenger Hunt worksheet for students to complete. Give verbal instruction telling students that this will be collected for a grade and must be done independently. Students will be allowed to use the brochure to help them reference and use context clues to find the answers to the Scavenger Hunt worksheet. If students finish early ask them the following questions: Which state symbol do you think is most significant, and why? 5. Independent Practice In my opinion, the state flag is the most significant symbol because it represents our state on a national level and is seen most often. If you could change any state symbol, what would it be, and why? If I could change any state symbol, I would change the state tree to a Bradford Pear tree because they are very common trees in North Carolina that look bold and majestic. Give students approximately 20-25 minutes to complete the worksheet. Once the allotted time is up for independent practice, get the students attention and prepare them for the closure. 30-35 min.

6. Assessment Methods of all objectives/skills:

Criteria for Evaluating Students question sheets - North Carolina State Symbol Scavenger Hunt: Full Mastery 20 questions were answered correctly Partial Mastery 17-19 questions were answered correctly No mastery 16 or less question were answered correctly Criteria for Evaluating Students question sheets for advanced learners: Full Mastery Students were able to answer 2 questions fully and thoughtfully. Partial Mastery Students were able to answer 1 question fully and thoughtfully. No mastery Students werent able to answer any of the two questions provided.

7. Closure 8. Assessment Results of all objectives/skills:

North Carolina has many different state symbols that have a rich historical background. Why are these symbols important to us as North Carolinians? What symbol would you like to see added to the list?

5 min.

Targeted Students Modifications/Accommodations:

Student/Small Group Modifications/Accommodations:

Advanced Students: Students will be challenged to answer the following questions:

Which state symbol do you think is most significant, and why? In my opinion, the state flag is the most significant symbol because it represents our state on a national level and is seen most often. If you could change any state symbol, what would it be, and why? If I could change any state symbol, I would change the state

tree to a Bradford Pear tree because they are very common trees in North Carolina that look bold and majestic. Materials/Technology:
Sticky Notes North Carolina State Symbol Scavenger Hunt Worksheet North Carolina State Symbol Brochure

References: http://www.ncagintheclassroom.com/Portals/1/pdf/curricula/g4_lesson10.pdf Reflection on lesson:

Cardinal

Robin

Plot hound

Labrador Retriever

Eastern Box Turtle

Green Anole Lizard

Sweet Potato

Corn