lesson4.html

HOW OLD WERE THEY?

Grade Levels: 5th Grade and 6th Grade

Subjects: Social Studies, Mathematics, and Language Arts

Learner Outcomes: The students will:

become familiar with the signers of the Constitution

identify the year that each signer was born

calculate through subtraction the age of each signer when the Constitution was signed

create a bar graph

Duration of lesson: 2 class periods (48 minute periods)

Materials: Computer with internet access, colored pencils, and graph paper

Technology Tools/Courseware: Internet access

Teacher Notes: Make sure that each student has a signed internet use policy on file.

Procedures:

Students are to access the National Archives website.
Students are to click on each signer's name in order to read a short biography of that signer.
Students are to record on a data sheet the signer's name and year of birth.
Students are then to subtract that year from the year that the Constitution was signed (1787).
Review with students the procedure of creating a bar graph.
Using the ages calculated through subtraction, students are to create their own bar graph. (Some classrooms may be equipped with software to create bar graphs)
Display these graphs in the room.

Modifications: Students with special needs may use a calculator when subtracting to find the ages of the signers.

Enrichment: Students may do the "Signers of the Constitution" wordsearch at Ben's Guide website

Evaluation:
LESSON FOUR ASSESSMENT

Scores/Criteria	Graphic Display	Data Interpretation
5	The graph is accurately titled and both axis are labeled. Data is correctly entered. Graph is appealing, well organized, and neat. Color is used to distinguish data.	All math calculations are correct
4	The title is not entered or one axis is not labeled. Data is correct and color is used. Display is organized but not neat	All math calculations are correct
3	Most of the data is correctly entered, but the axis are not identified. Title is not present. Graph lacks organization and neatness.	At least 75% of calculations are correct
2	Some data entered correctly. Graph lacks organization and neatness. Axis are reversed when labeled or not labeled at all.	At least 50% of calculations are correct
1	All data entered is incorrect. Appearance is disorganized and messy	Less than 50% of calculations are correct

State and National Standards:

West Virginia Instructional Goals and Objectives

Math	Social Studies	Language Arts
5.23	5.32	6.19
5.26	6.58	6.20
6.24		6.27

National Standards

Social Studies:

1. Understand the sources, purposes, and functions of law, and the importance of the rule of law for the protection of individual rights and the common good
2. Understands the concept of a Constitution, the various purposes that constitutions serve, and the conditions that contribute to the establishment and maintenance of constitutional government

Language Arts:

   1.Uses the general skills and strategies of the writing process
   2.Uses the general skills and strategies of the reading process
   3.Uses reading skills and strategies to understand and interpret a variety of informational texts

Math:

Understands and applies basic and advanced procedures while performing the process of computation
Understands the general nature and uses of mathematics

References:

                 West Virginia Department of Education
                 McRel National Standards
                 National Archives
                     Ben's Guide

Authors:

Deanna Bell
Linda Pomeroy
Jean Quinones

Lesson 1 Lesson 2 Lesson 3 Lesson 4 Lesson 5