Introduction
Social Studies Civics- 3rd Grade Gifted: A Patriotic Holiday: Independence Day
Guiding Questions:
- What is the 4th of July? Why is it an important holiday?
- Do you know who the United States was trying to gain its independence from?
- What is the Declaration of Independence?
Learning Objectives:
- Students will be able to identify at least three historical key figures.
- Students will be able to examine how cause-and-effect relationships are used to explain the events leading up to the 4th of July.
- Student will be able to demonstrate their understanding through creative projects, either individually or within a group.
- Student will be able to demonstrate comprehension of complex historical texts.
Task
Project:
Work in groups to create a 6-page (7 pages with a cover page) Google slide to show the key factors that lead to Independence Day and present it to the class.
Students need to include at least three historical key figures in their presentation.
Process
- Students will work in groups of three. The teacher will assign groups.
- Students need to use Google Slides to create their presentation.
- Students will be responsible for two slides each, deciding who does the beginning, who does the middle, and who does the end.
- Students will use the internet to help find information and pictures.
- When presenting, each student will speak on their slides.
Evaluation
| Grades | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | Score | Comments |
| Slides | Presentation includes 7 slides: Cover page and 6 informational slides. | Presentation only have 6 slides. | Presentation only has 4-5 slides. | Presentation only has 1-3 | ||
| Organization | Information is organized in chronological order, clear, and detailed. Three key historical figures were referenced. | Most information is organized in a chronological order, clear, and detailed. One slide or item of information seems out of place. Two key historical figures were referenced. |
Some information is logically sequenced. An occasional slide or item of information seems out of place. One key historical figure was referenced. |
There is no clear plan for the organization of information. No key historical figures were referenced. |
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| Spelling & Grammer |
Presentation has no misspellings or grammatical errors. |
Presentation has few minor errors but doesn’t distract from the presentation. |
Presentation has frequent grammatical errors and begins to distract from the presentation. |
Presentation has constant errors and they distract from the presentation. |
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| Presentation | Prepared, spoke clearly, and used eye contact. Enthusiastic about the topic. | Mostly prepared, spoke clearly most of the time, and used eye contact most of the time. Mostly enthusiastic about the topic. | Somewhat prepared, sometimes used eye contact, sometimes spoke clearly. Sometimes enthusiastic about the topic. | Is prepared, does not make eye contact, does not speak clearly. does not appear enthusiastic about the topic. |
Conclusion
Students will have learned the history of why the United States celebrates Independence Day. They will have learned how the Declaration of Independence came to be and who the key historical figures were in creating it.
Students can watch Liberty Kids from PBS to get a further explanation in the form of cartoons. https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLHeaIWvdbER3Ic90BzhPsH2aJ5KI3UtmM&si=LOtmVBRTaZ4xEi3K