This lesson was created by L.A. McFarland
Investigating the Countries of the World
Exploratory Activities
(Introductory/Focus)
The teacher can present the focus to the
students by showing them raised world map (so that the students
can touch the map). The teacher can introduce the lesson by
explaining that the world is made up of many countries. In addition,
the teacher can explain what country they live in. The teacher
should show the particular country on the world map.
CONCEPT/OBJECTIVE
The concept of the lesson is to help students
visualize the various countries in the world - countries makeup the
world. The object of the lesson is to help students visualize
the many countries which makeup the world. This lesson is for
upper elementary school students (fourth through sixth
grades).
Materials, Resources, Software
A a raised world map, paper and writing materials,
Internet access, a specific web site dedicated to children on
information and locations of various countries, and software to
create presentations.
Concept Development Activities
(Procedures/Activities)
The teacher should discuss various countries that the
students are aware and locate the countries on the map with the
students.
Guided Practice
The teacher should find a specific web site dedicated
to children on information and locations of various countries; this
should be done before the lesson is given. The teacher can show
the students how to research information at the particular site and
on particular countries. The example link that I picked for
this lesson is:
http://www.emulateme.com/preview.htm
However, the teacher can pick any site which deals
with the countries of the world for this lesson.
It is during the time of guided practice that the
teacher should review various software presentation packages with the
students (it is a good idea that familiarity and practice with
various software presentations packages be done before the
actual day of the lesson).
Independent Practice
The teacher can divide students into groups and let
them explore and investigate information on specific countries; the
information that the students find should be presented to the
class. The teacher should have general questions made for the
groups about countries prior to the independent practice (students
can answer the questions while doing research). Presentations
or reports can be done with the use of software that is in the
classroom.
Closure
The teacher can conduct a review of the concepts and
researched information found in the lesson.
Extensions
The teacher can create an extension of the lesson by
letting students research countries which interest them. The
students can prepare the information found and present the
information to the class.
Originality and Creativity
The teacher should encourage students during
independent practice and during the extension to create presentations
that are visually pleasing (in terms of color and form). The
teacher should try to get the students to produce works that show
their creativity and originality.
Student Products/Evaluation
Student Products will be in the form of the various
presentations created during independent practice and
extension. Evaluation should be based on the presentations and
the information that they contain.
Written
Presentations should consists of the written portion
of the assignment (students may use paper and writing materials for
notes during their research) however, the written portion of the
lesson will actually consist of the presentations created by the
students.
Verbal
The verbal portion of the lesson will also consist of
the presentations created by the students; the teacher may include a
word list that must be used in the presentations for the
students.
Kinesthetic
The kinesthetic portion of the lesson can consist of
the raised world map and the actually use of the computer (use of the
keyboard, movement of the mouse, and other equipment such as scanners
etc...) in the research and the creation of the
presentations.
Visual
The visual portion of the lesson can consist of the
research and notes done by the students. In addition, the
creation of the presentation (with visual representations and color)
can consist of the visual portion of the lesson.
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