Direct Instruction Lesson Plan Template

Grade Level/Subject: 4
Social Studies

Central Focus: North Carolina State Symbols

Essential Standard/Common Core Objective:

4.H.2.2 Explain the historical significance of North Carolinas
state symbols.

Date submitted:
taught:

Date

Daily Lesson Objective: Students will be able to create their own state symbol, after learning
about the established state symbols and why they are important to North Carolina, and
summarize the symbols learned through an exit ticket with 80% accuracy.
21st Century Skills:

Academic Language Demand (Language Function and

Vocabulary): create and summarize

Prior Knowledge: Students should know we live in NC. Students should also know the regional
aspects of NC.

Activity

Description of Activities and Setting

Time

1. Focus and Review

First slide. What is a symbol? What are these symbols of?

2 mins

2. Statement of
Objective
for Student

Today we are going to take a look at some of the state symbols

for North Carolina. I think its a good idea if you take some
notes while we look over these because there will be some
questions at the end.

1 min

3. Teacher Input

Go over Prezi.

4. Guided Practice

Focus in on a couple of slides. Things that I know they have

prior knowledge of (red bird, pine tree, venus fly trap; why are
these important to NC, what does the venus fly trap need?)

5. Independent
Practice

Students will make their own state symbol, something that

they think is important to NC. Directions on slide

15 min

5 mins

10 min

exit ticket- 2 points for each correct answer for total of 10

6. Assessment
Methods of
all objectives/skills:
7. Closure

exit ticket with fill in the blank

2-3 min

16 out of 18 students met the objective by achieving at least 80% accuracy on the
8. Assessment
exit slip. The two students who did not will participate in a reteach small group
Results of
all objectives/skills: lesson.

Targeted Students
Modifications/Accommodations:

Student/Small Group
Modifications/Accommodations: Keep students
engaged during the Prezi. Students who are
struggling with their drawing can use their
Chromebooks to help come up with an idea.

Materials/Technology:
Prezi- http://prezi.com/ex0p_d8haopl/?utm_campaign=share&utm_medium=copy
Blank paper for drawing
crayons and colored pencils
28 copies of exit ticket

Reflection on lesson: I am very happy with how this lesson went. I feel like every student really
learned something about the state symbols. They were great at following along with the Prezi. I
told them they only needed to copy down the basic information. They didn't need any of the
extra facts that were listed. I gave them about 30 seconds to copy down, and then, after I read
the facts, I gave them a chance to raise their hand and tell me any additional facts they knew or
a story that directly related to what we were talking about. We got a little off track a couple of
times but it was easy to get their attention back to the presentation. They absolutely loved being
able to come up with and draw their own state symbol. I made sure to mention several times tha
you cannot use a state symbol that is already in place and you cannot come up with a different
bird, beverage, etc. because the symbols that we have are set in stone and cannot be changed.
But their explanations of why they choose their symbols were very interesting to read. I also use
the ticket system for classroom management. It worked like a charm. I had every students
attention. This was the first lesson I taught and I continued to use the ticket system throughout
all of my other lessons. One of the teachers even adopted this idea to use on the last day before
spring break because she said her students were getting very antsy. I am so happy with how this
lesson turned out. I also realized through writing and teaching this lesson, that I love 4th grade
social studies. I love the curriculum and I love that they are learning all about North Carolina. I
love this state and there is so much to talk about and for them to learn. As I was looking over the
standards, I kept thinking of so many field trip opportunities. If I taught social studies, I would
want to take my students on a field trip every week. Overall, this lesson was a great and positive
experience.