This presentation describes how I will use technology to enhance a lesson plan.

1. Where in the World???
Researching countries and cultures around the globe
Jennifer M McGrath

2. Background Information
● Target audience- 15 second grade students
● Saint Stephen School, Worcester, MA
● Lessons take place in the classroom and the
computer room
● Each student has access to a computer

3. ● Unit 1: Where do WE live?
● Unit 2: How did we get HERE?
● Unit 3: Where do OTHERS live?
Social Studies Curriculum
Overview

4. ● Researching several countries on six
different continents
● Geography & map skills
● Different cultures of people around the
world
Unit 3: Where do OTHERS live?

5. ● Students will learn that the world is made up of many different
countries, each with their own geography and way of life
● Students will appreciate the similarities and differences of people living
throughout the world
● Students will enhance their map skills by finding countries on a world
map. They will locate & label neighboring countries, capitals, major
cities and natural landmarks.
● Students will learn how to use and create a map key
● Students will learn how to do research to answer questions by using
books, maps, handouts and the internet
● Students will work cooperatively to research and create a report
● Students will improve their communication skills by preparing and
presenting oral reports
● Students will use technological resources to gather information about
various countries
Unit 3 Goals

6. ● Know and use various text features (e.g., captions, bold print, subheadings, glossaries, indexes, electronic
menus, icons) to locate key facts or information in a text efficiently
● By the end of year, read and comprehend informational texts, including history/social studies, science, and
technical texts, in the grades 2–3 text complexity band proficiently, with scaffolding as needed at the high
end of the range.
● Write informative/explanatory texts in which they introduce a topic, use facts and definitions to develop
points, and provide a concluding statement or section.
● With guidance and support from adults, use a variety of digital tools to produce and publish writing, including
in collaboration with peers.
● Participate in shared research and writing projects (e.g., read a number of books on a single topic to produce
a report; record science observations).
● Participate in collaborative conversations with diverse partners about grade 2 topics and texts with peers and
adults in small and larger groups. a. Follow agreed-upon rules for discussions b. Build on others’ talk in
conversations by linking their comments to the remarks of others. c. Ask for clarification and further
explanation as needed about the topics and texts under discussion.
● Ask and answer questions about what a speaker says in order to clarify comprehension, gather additional
information, or deepen understanding of a topic or issue.
Grade 2 Common Core Standards that will be Addressed

7. Objectives:
● Students will discuss what they know about
various countries
● Students will define key vocabulary words
● Students will practice accessing Google drive
● Students will practice using Google docs
● Students will learn how to use the research
databases
● Students will begin to collect research for the
unit project
● Review directions for the unit project
Lesson 1: Introduction to Unit 3

8. Prerequisite Knowledge
● Students will have a Gmail account assigned to
them at the beginning of the year. They will
know how to sign into their account and access
their email.
Lesson 1: Introduction to Unit 3

9. Lesson Duration & Location:
● Lesson takes place over two days
● Located in the classroom and computer room
Materials:
Vocabulary cards Computers/printers
Culture pictures Internet connection
Homework sheet Highlighters
Canada books
Shared Google Doc “Country project”
Lesson 1: Introduction to Unit 3 (continued)

10. Day 1
Warm Up Activities:
● Students partner up. Try to name and write
down as many countries as possible.
● Country Picture Matchup - students match
pictures to the country they are most often
associated with
● KWL chart- students choose a country and
complete chart
Lesson 1: Introduction to Unit 3 (continued)

11. Teach
● Each country has many things that makes it unique. (types of
clothing, food, money, religion, government) Many times a
country’s culture is affected by its geography
● US culture is different from other countries since it is made up
of parts of many other cultures; our country is a nation of
immigrants
● Define and discuss each of the following vocabulary words.
● Write on sentence strips and hang in pocket chart to be
referred to during the course of the unit.
● Vocabulary:
Culture Climate
Government Capital
Landmarks Currency
Religion Map key
Geography National anthem
Lesson 1:Unit Introduction (continued)

12. ● Introduce unit project
o 3 country reports have to be completed
 one will be completed in class
 one will be completed cooperatively with a group
 one will be completed individually
● Start completing class report on the country of Canada
o Read together Canada informational books
o Later in the unit the class will be divided into groups of 3-
4 students and assigned a country.
o Students are assigned a country for individual report
based on their family’s ancestry
Lesson 1:Unit Introduction (continued)

13. Teach (Day 2 in the Computer Room)
● Have students access their gmail accounts
● Find the Country Project Document that was shared with them
● Students need to open document
● Read directions together and discuss requirements
● Explain how to create a new copy of the document that can be
edited by each individual student
o File + Make a copy
o Rename “Student’s name Canada Report”
o Teach students how to share document with teachers
o Practice copying & pasting inside document
Lesson 1:Unit Introduction (continued)

14. Teach (Day 2 in the Computer Room)
● Help students find the following educational databases &
websites:
o Encyclopedia Britannica Online
o KidsInfoBits
o EnchantedLearning.com
o kidtopia.info
● Bookmark each site for easier searching
Lesson 1:Unit Introduction (continued)

15. Teach (Day 2 in the Computer Room)
● Activity:
● Students pair up and search databases for
information about Canada.
● Find the Canadian flag.
● Copy & paste into project document.
➔ Each pair needs to print 2 information pages
from a database to read.
➔ Once printed take turns reading orally
➔ Use highlighters to find important
information
Lesson 1:Unit Introduction (continued)

16. Homework Assignment
● Create a Google doc
● Title it “Country Homework by Name”
● Write the definition of 1 vocabulary word
● Use the vocabulary word in a sentence
● Search Encyclopedia Britannica Online
● Find a “fun fact” about Canada
● Copy & paste it into document
● Share the document with teacher
Lesson 1:Unit Introduction (continued)

17. Assessment
● Goal 1: Students will discuss what they know
about various countries
■ Students will participate in class
discussion
■ Students will have a KWL chart with:
● 1 known fact about a country
● 3 questions to discover about a country
❖ Students will complete Country Picture
Matchup sheet correctly
Lesson 1:Unit Introduction (continued)

18. Assessment
Goal 2: Students will define key vocabulary words
● Students will write a sentence using a
vocabulary word
● Students will participate in class
vocabulary discussions
● Students will be able to give an example
of each vocabulary word when asked
orally
Lesson 1:Unit Introduction (continued)

19. Assessment
Goal 3: Students will practice accessing
Google drive
● Students will sign into Google account
● Students will click on drive icon
● Students will use Google drive at school
and at home
Lesson 1:Unit Introduction (continued)

20. Assessment
Goal 4: Students will practice using Google
docs
● Students will be able to create new document
● Students will be able to create duplicate document
● Students will use keyboard shortcuts to cut and paste
● Students will highlight text in document to be replaced
● Students will share document with others
● Students will use Google docs at home and school
Lesson 1:Unit Introduction (continued)

21. Assessment
Goal 5: Students will learn how to use the
research databases
● Students will find several research databases
● Students will bookmark site locations
● Students will enter keywords in search fields
● Students will copy facts from database into Country
Report Document
● Students will take note of the database where facts
come from
● Students will independently find 1 fact about Canada
Lesson 1:Unit Introduction (continued)

22. Assessment
Goal 6: Students will begin to collect research
for the unit project
● Students will begin to enter information into Country Report
document
● Students will read material in class and at home about Canada
● Students will make use of print and online resources
Lesson 1:Unit Introduction (continued)

23. Assessment
Goal 7: Review directions for the unit project
 Students will read aloud the directions for the unit
project
 Students will ask questions to clarify understanding
Lesson 1:Unit Introduction (continued)

24. Assessment
● Students will be assessed through teacher
observation
● Students will use a self-assessment checklist to
evaluate confidence levels using technology
tools
● Student homework will be evaluated using the
Homework Rubric
Lesson 1:Unit Introduction (continued)

25. Follow Up
● Students who struggle to complete assignments
will receive extra teacher attention to help
improve skill levels
● Students scoring low confidence will be paired
with a peer mentor to help raise confidence
● Students with a low homework grade will be
given remedial vocabulary practice sheet
Lesson 1:Unit Introduction (continued)

26. Self-Assessment Checklist
Lesson 1: Unit Introduction (continued)
Technology Skill Piece of Cake I think I Can I’m not really
sure
I have no
clue!! Help!
Access Google Account
Find Google Drive
Open a new document
Share a document
Make duplicate document
Copy & Paste

27. Lesson 1 Homework Rubric
Lesson 1: Unit Introduction (continued)
Possible Points Earned Points
Created a Google Doc 10
Titled correctly 05
Vocabulary word defined 10
Vocabulary word used in a
sentence
10
1 fun fact 10
Document shared 05
Total Possible Points 50

28. ● Google drive
● Google Docs
● Gmail
● Encyclopedia Britannica Online
● KidsInfoBits
● EnchantedLearning.com
● Signupgenius.com
● kidtopia.info
● Facebook & Twitter
Technology Tools Used in Lesson 1

29. For the past five years, I have been teaching this unit
on countries but without the use of any technology. I
am so excited to introduce technology into my
classroom this year. Here are ways that the
technology will improve this lesson.
Benefits of Using Technology

30. ● Google Drive/Google Docs:
 students can work at home or school without losing
important information and directions will always be handy
 student work will stay organized and neat
 no need for photocopying; saves time and money
Benefits of Using Technology

31. Research online databases
■ students will be able to find information on their own; in
the past I located informational books for each student
and transported from the public library to school
■ students will be able to copy and paste information right
into their report; much faster and neater than copying
large amounts of information
Benefits of Using Technology

32. ● Facebook & Twitter
■ used to help parents stay informed of due dates and
student progress; especially important since the project
spans several months
Benefits of Using Technology

33. ● Signupgenius.com
■ Students/parents can stay informed of food dishes being
brought in for World Fair Day
■ Keep track of food allergies easily
Benefits of Using Technology