Lesson+Plan

 The U.S. Constitution and Our Government: The foundation of our nation

3rd Grade Social Studies: Civics and Government __ Objectives __ 1. SS.3.C.1.1 - - "Explain the purpose and need for a government." 2. SS.3.C.1.3 - - "Explain how the government was written through a written constitution." 3. SS.3.C.3.4 - - "Recognize the Constitution of the United States is the Supreme Law of the land." 4. LA.3.1.6.1 - - "The student will use new vocabulary that is introduced and taught directly." 5. LA.3.1.6.3 - - "The student will use context clues to determ ine meanings of unfamiliar words."

**Grade Level**: Third Grade  **Area of Study**: Social Studies   **Lesson Period**: Two day Period (Three day optional)
 * ** Aubrey Radford **

**__The Constitution and Our Government__**  || SS.3.C.1.1 SS.3.C.1.3 SS.3.C.3.4 LA.3.1.6.1 LA.3.1.6.3 |||||| **Objectives:** Students will be able to state the definitions of the vocabulary words, explain the purpose and need for a government, explain the way the U.S. wrote it’s laws through the constitution and how the Constitution is the Supreme Law of the Land. The incorporation of technology is key in these lessons. Bloom's Taxonomy that this lesson targets: Knowledge, Comprehension, and Analysis
 * **N.G.S.S.S.**

DAY 1 Lesson 1 Part 1  |||||||| **-**
 * Vocabulary:** The Framers, Constitution, Government, Legislative Branch, Executive Branch, Judicial Branch, Amendment, Veto, Checks and Balances, Citizen ||
 * Arrival:** Attendance will be taken and students will be informed that we will read the beginning of Chapter 8: How A Government Work. Once those 6 pages have been read aloud, the class will go to the computer lab for this morning’s Social Studies Activity.


 * Objective:** *Explain who the “Founding Fathers” were; *Explain the purpose and need for a government; *Identify the 3 Branches of Government ; *Recognize the Constitution as the Supreme Law of the United States

- Ms. Radford will read pages 156-161 (aloud with the students), Chapter 8: How Government Works. - The class will proceed to the Computer Lab. - In the computer lab, students will log into Ms Radford's Wiki. - Students will fill in the “Define vocabulary” worksheet off of Ms. Radford’s Wiki. - Utilizing the provided websites, students will define the week’s definitions.
 * Activity:**

- || DAY 1 Lesson 2 Part 1  |||||||| **-**
 * Materials:** Social Studies textbook “Our Communities.” Access to the Computer Lab/Internet. Pencil.
 * Arrival:** Students will be asked to take out their class journal and their vocabulary definitions worksheet from Monday.

- Ms Radford will access the U.S. Constitution Video through the link in the wiki and watch the short video clip. - Once the video is complete, Ms Radford will reiterate, analyze, and discuss what the Constitution of the United States is (“The Supreme Law of the Land”) - Then Ms Radford will discuss tonight’s classroom activity/homework assignment for tomorrow’s classroom activity. Directions (for students and separate directions for teachers can be found on the class’ wiki). - The class will begin the activity in the classroom and take home the directions and their rules for parental review. - Part 1 is to be completed in class.
 * Objective:** *Explain and discuss what the Constitution is with the class; *Explain its importance to the United States of America and our government; *Explain that the Constitution is the highest law in the United States and that we all live by its rules; *Inform the class that the rules can be changed or amended in the Bill of Rights, a set of laws that protects the rights of the people
 * Activity:**

- || DAY 2 Lesson 2 Part 2  |||||||| **-** - What is the purpose of the U.S. Constitution? - Does your “Family Constitutional” Laws fall under the United State’s Constitution?
 * Materials:** Writing journal. Provided directions handout to take home for “Drafting your own Family Constitution.”
 * Arrival:** Students will take out their Class Journal and answer the questions shown on the Smart Board.


 * Objective:** *Ensure the students comprehend the Constitution’s purpose; And why the United States sees it as the “Supreme Law of the Land”.

- Complete Part 2 of Wednesday’s Activity. - Present to the class your own constitutions. - Analyze and Review this past week’s handouts, worksheets, and readings. - Prepare for tomorrow’s in class quiz.
 * Activity:**

- || DAY 2   Lesson 1 Part 2  |||||||| **-**
 * Materials:** Social Studies journal with completed Family Constitutional Laws. Pen. Tea bags provided by Ms Radford.
 * Arrival:** Students will review before beginning their Lesson 4; Unit 4 Quiz “The Constitution and Government”


 * Assessment: **Vocabulary Quiz.

- || ||
 * Materials:** Mobile cart filled with laptop computers (provided by the school’s computer lab).
 * Evaluation ||< Evaluation of students will be based on the completion of their vocabulary sheet, "Family Constitution", and their grade on the quiz. Only Completion grades will be given due to the fact that "Family Constitutions" are subjective. The vocabulary sheet is worth 3 points, the "Family Constitution" 7 points, and the quiz is worth 10 points. ||= Total Points Available: 20