What Do You Know About Your Government?

Grade Level:   Fifth

Subjects:  Computer Technology, Social Studies, Language Arts

Learner Outcomes:

• The student will demonstrate comprehension of The Kid Who Became President by writing summaries of the main events in each chapter.
• The student will show an understanding of literary elements through written responses and class discussions.
• The student will retrieve information using the Internet.
• The student will create questions using the Internet.  These questions will demonstrate a knowledge of the three branches of government.
• The student will write and type an essay.
• The student will create at least one PowerPoint slide using researched material.

Materials:

• Student copies of The Kid Who Became President by Dan Gutman.
• Notebook paper for the student essay "If I Were President?"
• Index Cards for the game

• Multimedia Computer
• Word Processing software such as Word Perfect or Microsoft Word
• Internet access
• Microsoft PowerPoint

• Make sure all students have the approved internet permission before using or viewing on the Internet (signed and on file.)
• Reserve a time in the lab to research/develop questions for the game.
• Reserve a time in the lab for students to write the final draft of their essay.
• If a lab setting is not available, then students may work in pairs at accessible computers.
• Directions for the game, "Who Does What in Our Government?"

Days 1-5:

• Read the book, The Kid Who Became President by Dan Gutman in class.  The students will read at  least six chapters per day.  The students will write a summary of each chapter on notebook paper.  Include in this summary any topics which they may want to research on the internet at a later date.  Class discussion should be lively!

Day 6:

•  The students will write an essay entitled "If I Were the President" on notebook paper to be submitted to the teacher.

Day 7:

•  The students will type the final draft of their essay using desktop publishing or word processing software.

Day 8:

•  The students will use the internet to write questions for the game, "Who Does What in Our Government."

Day 9:

• A power point presentation developed from the student's questions from the game will be presented.  Each student will create at least one PowerPoint slide.  Following the power point presentation, the students will be treated with "red, white and blue" treats!

• Students with special needs may be assigned a peer tutor.
• Provide shortened assignments for special needs students.
• Student lessons will be modified according to IEP specifications.
• Students without a signed usage consent form will use encyclopedias, dictionaries and history books to write their game questions.

• Students may write additional questions for the game.
• Students may want to visit the school library to check out books of interest.

PROJECT	Class Discussion	Writing Summaries	Read the book	Draft-Essay	Final Essay	Game-Questions
Possible Points	25	27	25	20	20	20

West Virginia Instructional Goals and Objectives:

•   Listening/Speaking-5.7,5.11
•   Reading Comprehension-5.16
•   Writing-5.52
•   United States History-5.4
•   Computer Technology-5.186,5.57
•   Study Skills-5.172

Language Arts:

•  Demonstrates competence in the general skills and strategies of the writing process
•  Gathers and uses information for research purposes
•  Demonstrates competence in the general skills and strategies of the reading process
•  Demonstrates competence in the general skills and strategies for reading a variety of    informational texts

Social Studies:

• Understands the central ideas of American constitutional government and how this form of government has shaped the character of American society
• Understands how the United States Constitution grants and distributes power and responsibilities to national and state government and how it seeks to prevent the abuse of power

Technology:

• Knows the characteristics and uses of computer hardware and operating systems

• The Kid Who Became President by Dan Gutman.
• Ben's Guide to US Government for Kids
• USA Government
• www.Amazon.com
• www.dictionary.com

Janie C. Bailey
Angel Bodnar
Patricia Perry
Flinn Elementary

 

Overview

Lesson 1: What Does a Tree Have To Do With Government

Lesson 2: Who's the Boss?

Lesson 3: Let the People Be Heard

Lesson 4: Here Ye, Here Ye, Here Ye!