Lesson Plan Guide

Teacher Candidate:
Grade and Topic:
Mentor Teacher:

Sarah Medlock
2nd grade Social Studies
Professor Phillips, Professor Murdock

Date: December 4, 2016

Length of Lesson:

73 minutes

School: University of Memphis

UNIT/CHAPTER OBJECTIVE/GENERALIZATION/BIG IDEA:

This lesson plan is part of a unit plan on Government.
Students should actively participate in this activity by completing the assessment sheet, and Prezi.
The purpose of this lesson is to introduce students to how the government is set up for our nation and our state. Students
will watch two informative videos and research two websites. Using the information from the videos and websites,
students will create a Prezi, and have the option to present it to the class if they desire.
The purpose of this lesson is to also incorporate technology into the classroom. Students will be researching on the
Internet and using a Web 2.0 tool

LESSON OBJECTIVE:

Given specific Internet resources, the student will compare the Tennessee State Government to the National Government
with a score of 100% on the rubric.

STANDARDS ADDRESSED:
Tennessee State Standards

2.23 Compare the branches of Tennessees government to the national government.

2.25 Create a graphic organizer to explain the three branches of government and the basic role of each.

ISTE Standards
1. Creativity and innovation
Students demonstrate creative thinking, construct knowledge, and develop innovative products and processes using
technology.
a. Apply existing knowledge to generate new ideas, products, or processes
b. Create original works as a means of personal or group expression
2. Research and information fluency
Students apply digital tools to gather, evaluate, and use information.
a. Plan strategies to guide inquiry
b. Locate, organize, analyze, evaluate, synthesize, and ethically use information from a variety of sources and media
c. Evaluate and select information sources and digital tools based on the appropriateness to specific tasks

MATERIALS:

Projector to show students introduction video

Laptops for each student

Internet to access the following links
- http://www.tnhistoryforkids.org/civics/b_4 (website)
- http://www.congressforkids.net/Constitution_threebranches.htm (website)
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E9UmAtGS3wE (video)
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UlxpQmYdwZY (video)
- https://www.prezi.com (Prezi)
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-EISWIY9bG8 (introduction video)
Student assessment sheet for each student
Pen or pencil for each student
Technology will be integrated by having the students research websites and watch videos on the Internet. Students will
also be creating a Prezi presentation.

A sample of student work is located after the lesson plan.

BACKGROUND and RATIONALE:
Students should have a clear understanding of these key concepts by the end of the lesson. Key concepts
include: Legislative Branch, Executive Branch, Judicial Branch.
Academic language is not addressed in IDT 3600.
This is the first lesson of the Government unit. It provides a basic understanding of what the government
consists of.
In future lessons, we will go into depth about different aspects of government (e.g. the making of laws, how a
veto works, etc.). I also plan on having students create a project of what he or she would do if they were to
become the president.
Technology use will be modified to meet the needs of diverse learners.
PROCEDURES AND TIMELINE:
Introduction: (8 minutes) Have the students gather together and sit on the large rug. Ask the students what they
already know about the government? Give time for students to answer if they desire. Give a brief explanation of
how the Tennessee State Government is modeled after the National Government. Show students the School
House Rock video that explains the three branches of government. Explain to students that they will be using
the Internet to research about the government and that they will also be making a Prezi presentation.
Procedures:
*After introduction, prior to laptops (5 minutes)
Teacher Procedures:
1. Explain what students will be
at the computers.
2. Show students the assessment sheet. Explain
the directions on the sheet.
3. Dismiss students to their laptops.
4. Once students are seated, pass out assessment sheet.

Student Procedures:
1. If needed, ask any questions if unclear of
assignment.
2. Walk quietly to laptop and wait for teacher
to pass out assessment sheet.

*During time at the laptops (50 minutes)

Teacher Procedures:
1.
2.
3.
4.

Student Procedures:

Walk around room to make sure students are on task.

Answer any question students may have.
Assist student who need help getting started.
Asks students to sit quietly once finished.

1. Read over assessment sheet.

2. Open Internet Explorer to watch videos and
read over websites.
3. Ask questions if needed.
4. Open Prezi website and begin creating.
5. Create a title and put name on project.
6. Create the 8 sections needed.
7. Included correct information for section 1 and
repeat this step for the next 7 sections. (refer
back to websites or videos if needed)
8. Mark off finished checkpoints on assessment
sheet.
9. Save Prezi presentation.
10. Answer questions at the end of assessment
sheet.
11. Double check work and sit quietly until
classmates are finished.

Closure: (10 minutes) Once all students are finished, take up assessment sheets and have students gather back
together and sit on the large rug. Have students share their thoughts about the activity. Tell students that if
desired, they have the option to share their Prezi to the class during free time on Friday. Ask students what the
different roles of the branches of government. Give them time to answer. Briefly explain the upcoming project.
Ask students what they would do if they were the president.
ASSESSMENT EVIDENCE:

Grading rubric for activity

Criteria

The Prezi is set up

correctly. It includes,
his or her name, a
title, and the eight
sections labeled
correctly.

There is no name, or
title on the Prezi. The
sections are not
labeled.

Name and title are

included. Few things
are labeled correctly.

Name and title are

included. Most of the
sections are labeled
correctly.

Name and title are

included. Every
section is labeled
correctly.

Sections of the Prezi

should include
correct information.

There is no
information in the
sections.

There is information
but it is not
appropriate for the
corresponding section.

Information is
partially correct.

All information is
correct for each
section.

Assessment sheet
should be filled out
completely.

The assessment sheet

is not filled out at all.

The assessment sheet

has few checkpoints
crossed off and few
questions answered.

The assessment sheet

has most checkpoints
crossed off and most
of the questions
answered.

The assessment sheet

has every checkpoint
crossed off and every
question answered.

MODIFICATIONS:

I am aware that modifications will be made for students who did not master the objectives and for those ready for
enrichment. However, modifications are not covered in this course and are not part of this particular lesson.
Student Sample of Prezi

Student Assessment Sheet

Directions: Cross off each checkpoint as you complete your activity. Then answer the
follow up questions at the bottom. You will use these websites to help you create your
Prezi and you may refer back to them as you need to. You may choose any format you
want for the Prezi. Be creative and have fun as you learn about the government!
Watched both videos on Youtube
Read over websites
Created Prezi
-Your Prezi should include: Name, Title, and 8 sections.
-Section titles should be: 1. Overview
2. How It Works
3. The Legislative Branch- National Government
4. The Legislative Branch- Tennessee Government
5. The Judicial Branch- National Government
6. The Judicial Branch- Tennessee Government
7. The Executive Branch- National Government
8. The Executive Branch- Tennessee Government
Checked Prezi for spelling and grammar errors
Name written at top of your paper
Follow Up Questions:
1. Name one branch of government and explain how it works for the National and
State government.
2. What is your favorite branch of government? Why?
3. T/F, The Executive Branch is the most powerful.
4. T/F, All branches are equally powerful.

Student Sample of Completed Assessment Sheet

Student Name Here

Directions: Cross off each checkpoint as you complete your activity. Then answer the
follow up questions at the bottom. You will use these websites to help you create your
Prezi and you may refer back to them as you need to. You may choose any format you
want for the Prezi. Be creative and have fun as you learn about the government!
Watched both videos on Youtube
Read over websites
Created Prezi
-Your Prezi should include: Name, Title, and 8 sections.
-Section titles should be: 1. Overview
2. How It Works
3. The Legislative Branch- National Government
4. The Legislative Branch- Tennessee Government
5. The Judicial Branch- National Government
6. The Judicial Branch- Tennessee Government
7. The Executive Branch- National Government
8. The Executive Branch- Tennessee Government
Checked Prezi for spelling and grammar errors
Name written at top of your paper
Follow Up Questions:
5. Name one branch of government and explain how it works for the National and
State government. The Judicial branch is ruled by the supreme court which
contains nine judges. They decide what is fair and just according to the
Constitution. This is the same for both the National Government and the State
Government.
6. What is your favorite branch of government? Why? Judicial. They get to decide
between right and wrong.
7. T/F, The Executive Branch is the most powerful. False
8. T/F, All branches are equally powerful. True