Title - American Revolution Dioramas
Primary Subject - Social Studies
Secondary Subjects - Art, Language Arts
Grade Level - 4

Standards for Grade 4

NETS:

2. Communication and Collaboration: Students use digital media and environments to communicate and work collaboratively, including at a distance, to support individual learning and contribute to the learning of others. Students:

b.         communicate information and ideas effectively to multiple audiences using a variety of media and formats.

c.         develop cultural understanding and global awareness by engaging with learners of other cultures.

d.         contribute to project teams to produce original works or solve problems.

Students are learning about the American Revolution. They will have to present the information that they have found to the class and in a report that they must write.

3. Research and Information Fluency: Students apply digital tools to gather, evaluate, and use information. Students:

b.         locate, organize, analyze, evaluate, synthesize, and ethically use information from a variety of sources and media.

c.         evaluate and select information sources and digital tools based on the appropriateness to specific tasks.

d.         process data and report results.

Students are researching a variety of subjects and must search for the important facts to resent to the class. In searching the internet they must decide what websites to use and what information is correct.

4.         Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, and Decision Making: Students use critical thinking skills to plan and conduct research, manage projects, solve problems, and make informed decisions using appropriate digital tools and resources. Students:

c.         collect and analyze data to identify solutions and/or make informed decisions.

The students are searching the internet and looking for information that is related to their subject that they have chose. They will need to decide what information to use and what information to discard.

Social Studies: SWBAT

Identify the developments, major events, and notable figures involved in the separation of the thirteen colonies from England.

Describe the key events and effects of the American Revolution on the new country.

Language Arts: SWBAT

Demonstrate the ability to face an audience, make eye contact, and use the appropriate voice level.

Demonstrate the ability to use visual aids, props, and technology to support and extend his or her meaning and enhance his or her oral presentation

Curriculum Areas: 

Social Studies & Language Arts

Objectives:

The students will create a report and diorama to show an understanding of the causes and effects of the American Revolution.

Materials:

Shoe box

Colored paper

Markers/crayons

Any other materials to create a diorama

Computer with Internet access

Printer

Pencils/pens

Highlighters

Notebook paper

Procedure:
The students will research a famous person or event from the American Revolution. There are several websites that give useful information for the students to use. Other topics may include flags, taxes, acts, slaves, women, or documents that contributed to the revolution.

The students will print the information out and highlight the important facts.

Then, they will write the research in their own words to create a report.

The students will create a diorama corresponding to their topic. The students will present their research and diorama to the class.

Assessment:

The students will receive a grade for their accuracy and creativity on their research and diorama. I also had my students take notes while their peers presented their information. This ensured me that everyone was paying attention and it didn't make the presenter as nervous. I gave the students a separate grade on how well they took notes.