ED 566 Final Project

By caseydelvecchio

  • Introduction

    I came into this course extremely nervous! Social studies has always been my worst subject ever since grade school. I couldn't imagine teaching it to children when sometimes I don't even understand it myself. CT Frameworks was completely foreign to me.

  • Grade K Lesson

    This was my first lesson that I struggled with tremendously. It was hard to think of ways to effectively teach social studies to kindergarteners without throwing material at that them that was too complex. I struggled with finding standards that aligned with my objective. When it came to the compelling and supporting questions I created my own rather than use the social studies frameworks.

  • Grade K Lesson- Pt 2

    However, I found that I was able to incorporate technology in a creative way such as facetiming with my primary source (veterinarian). I believe if I were to redo this lesson plan I would change my way of instruction. I would make more rotations so the Kindergarteners are not sitting for a long amount of time.

  • Grade 1 Lesson

    This was personally one of my favorite lessons. I thought I was able to creatively teach first graders geography in a fun way. The students were able to understand and identify map symbols by locating important landmarks on a map. I was able to find a children’s book that correlated perfect with the lesson. I do think I struggled with primary resources and technology in this lesson.

  • Grade 1 Lesson- Pt 2

    My use of technology just involved a SMART board, and my primary resources were just images of maps. If I were to change anything it would definitely be that aspect. I would incorporate more hand-on learning with technology such as creating a map online or using mapquest. I also would bring in actual maps instead of just using images.

  • Grade 2 Lesson

    I believe in my grade 2 lesson plan I became stronger at instructing social studies. I was nervous about creating a lesson around civics but I believe my objective aligned nicely with the CCSS and CT Frameworks. I thought the children had an exciting way to identify changes/improvements in a community since they were able to draw differences between the past and present. Again, I would like to improve on my technology portion.

  • Grade 2 Lesson- Pt 2

    I enjoyed how I incorporated a time-lapse video but during the part of the lesson when students posted sticky notes on the board I would have had them use the website Notely.

  • Grade 3 Lesson

    I believe this lesson was one of my strongest when it came to the use of technology and differentiation. It incorporated an interactive game on the SMARTboard, a Kahoot game, and individual student use on the chromebooks. I felt that it was one of my weakest when again, using primary sources. I only used a list of local business’ good from the present and past. I felt that I could have been more creative with this aspect.

  • Grade 3 Lesson- Pt 2

    Perhaps, finding a resource that aligns directing with the CT frameworks standard of “ECO 3.4 Explain the ways in which the government pays for the goods and services it provides.” Such as using a type of currency.

  • Grade 4 Lesson

    Since this was not an ordinary lesson plan I felt that I was able to strengthen my ability with CT frameworks. I was able to connect two framework standards instead of one. I was able to connect both geography standards to the objective of having students use their understanding of topographic maps to create their own imaginary landform. I believe this is a lesson that children would have really fun with! Again, I could strengthen my primary sources other than using pictures.

  • Grade 5 Lesson

    This was by far my favorite lesson throughout the semester. I felt that I was able to instruct social studies in such a fun way that I wish my teacher did in 5th grade. I was able to bring the children on two virtual fieldtrips to Plimoth and Jamestown. They then had to write a persuasive essay on which place they rather live and why. After a given amount of time the children were able to have debate with each other.

  • Grade 5 Lesson- Pt 2

    I really liked how the students were able to view and analyze primary resources such as letters from John Smith and use them in their essay. The objective aligned perfectly with CT frameworks and CCSS. The only thing I would change would be to make the directions to use the virtual fieldtrips more specific if there was a substitute.

  • Grade 6 Lesson

    This was a really fun lesson plan to make. I really enjoyed making lessons revolved around civics. Students were able to make their own public service poster on Google Draw. I have seen this done in a 6th grade classroom at my internship and the students absolutely loved it. I feel that throughout time I have been much more successful at creating strong lesson plans such as this one. Incorporating the supporting/compelling questions into the lesson has become like second nature.

  • Grade 6 Lesson- Pt 2

    I love how I incorporated the primary source of a public service poster from back in the day. It shows children how public service announcements differed or stayed the same. Overall, I believe that my ability to instruct social studies has strengthen a great deal. If I were to change something it would just be to add more public service posters throughout history and not just one.

  • Conclusion

    I am no longer scared to teach social studies! I now actually found ways to teach it in an enjoyable way for myself and my future students. The CT frameworks has helped me tremendously when trying to think of objectives and activities. It guided me in a direction that allowed me then to incorporate technology and primary resources.