Lesson Title: Landmarks in Montgomery

Instructor: Adrianne McKinney

Lesson Title: Landmarks in Montgomery

Curriculum Area: Social Studies

Grade Level: 4th Grade

Date: Spring, 2010

Estimated Time: 3 hours

Standards Connection:

(S.4.1) Identify historical and current economic, political, and geographic information about

Alabama on thematic maps.

• Examples: weather/climate maps, physical relief maps, waterway maps,

transportation maps, political boundary maps, economic development maps, land-

use maps, population maps

•Discussing patterns and types of migrations as they affect the environment,

agriculture, economic development, and population changes in Alabama

(T.4.2) Use various technology applications, including word processing and multimedia

software.

•Using navigational features commonly found in technology applications

•Identifying digital file types

(T.4.12) 12.) Create a product using digital tools.

• Examples: products-digital story, podcast, digital artwork

Learning Objectives:

When assigned to an important landmark in Alabama, students will work in groups of five to create a script and a poster for a class podcast.

Evaluation of Learning Objectives:

Students will create a typed script with parts for every student in the group and at least seven accurate facts about the landmark. The script should be written from the perspective of a tour guide. The script should not contain any spelling or grammatical errors. The students will also create a poster. The poster should include a title, two pictures, and seven accurate facts.

Engagement:

The teacher will give each student a blank map of Montgomery. The students will use maps in the classroom to label The Governor’s Mansion, The Alabama State House, The Alabama Capitol Building, Dexter Avenue, and Old Alabama Town. The teacher will say:

“Everyone will receive a blank map of Montgomery. You are going to find The Governor’s Mansion, The Alabama State House, The Alabama Capitol Building, Dexter Avenue, and Old Alabama Town. Use the maps on your tables to help you find the locations. You may work with a partner to complete the map.”

The teacher will give the students a few minutes to complete the map. When everyone has finished the map, the teacher will put the map on the docking camera to go over the locations with the students.

Learning Design:

The teacher will begin the lesson by discussing the five landmarks in Alabama. The teacher will use the Promethean Board to show pictures of The Governor’s Mansion, The Alabama State House, The Alabama Capitol Building, Dexter Avenue, and Old Alabama Town. During the class period, the students will complete a project for landmarks in Montgomery. The teacher will divide the students into five group of five. The teacher will introduce the Montgomery landmark project. The teacher will have examples of scripts and posters for the students to reference. The teacher will allow the students to work in their groups, and organize the time frame for the students. The students will have about a two hours to research their landmark, create a scrip, and create poster. The students may divide their group to work on the script and the poster to save time. The teacher will use the remaining hour for the students to present their projects. The teacher will say:

“Today you will learn about The Governor’s Mansion, The Alabama State House, The Alabama Capitol Building, Dexter Avenue, and Old Alabama Town. In your groups, you will research your landmark, create a script, and create a poster.

When you are researching your landmark, make sure to use websites or databases that are accurate. Stay away from websites such as because information from these websites can be altered by the public; therefore, the information may not be accurate. Also, you may use the encyclopedias and books in the classroom to find information. You need to include at least seven facts in your script and your poster.

You will be tour guides for your landmark; therefore, when you create your script, it should be written from the perspective of a tour guide. Make sure everyone in your group has a part in the script, your information is accurate, and your spelling and grammar are accurate.

You will use the Mac-Lab to type your script.

Your group will also create a poster to represent your landmark. Your poster should have a title, at least seven accurate facts, and two pictures of your landmark. The poster should be colorful and attractive. You may use any materials in the classroom for your poster such as construction paper, glue, crayons, scissors, and markers.

I will help you manage your time while you work on the project. You have two hours to research your landmark, create a script, and create a poster. Your group should spend at least 45 minutes researching the landmark. Once you have researched the landmark, you may split the group to complete the script and the poster. We will use the last hour to present.”

After the students have competed their script and poster, the teacher will give the students a graphic organizer. The students will use the graphic organizer during presentations. While a group is presenting their landmark, the other groups will write down at least five important facts from the presentation. The teacher will say:

“Each student will receive a graphic organizer. During the presentations, you will write down at least five facts that you learned. I will record each presentation with a flip camera. When you are presenting your landmark, make sure to look at the camera and have fun!”

The teacher will use the footage from the presentations to create a podcast for the students to watch. The students may watch the podcast to write additional facts on their graphic organizer or review for the assessment.

Resources:

Maps of Montgomery

Blank map of Montgomery

Pictures of The Governor’s Mansion, The Alabama State House, The Alabama Capitol Building, Dexter Avenue, and Old Alabama Town

Examples of scripts and posters

Posters

Mac-Lab

Pencils

Markers

Scissors

Glue

Construction paper

“Landmarks in Montgomery” graphic organizer

Flip cameras

Plans for Individual Learners:

Visual Learners will be engaged when looking at pictures of The Governor’s Mansion, The Alabama State House, The Alabama Capitol Building, Dexter Avenue, and Old Alabama Town. Visual learners will also benefit from the posters in each presentation. The posters will include pictures and facts.

Auditory Learners will benefit from hearing the presentations to learn important facts about The Governor’s Mansion, The Alabama State House, The Alabama Capitol Building, Dexter Avenue, and Old Alabama Town.

Tactile/Kinesthetic Learners will benefit from creating a script and poster to use in the presentation. The students will write the script from the perspective of a tour guide. The students will write information and draw pictures on the poster.

Extension:

The students will take a trip to Montgomery to visit The Governor’s Mansion, The Alabama State House, The Alabama Capitol Building, Dexter Avenue, and Old Alabama Town. The students will take the flip cameras on the trip to record video footage. The students may record video footage of the landmark or a condensed version of their presentation. The teacher will use footage from the trip to enhance the podcast.