LEARN NC

K–12 teaching and learning · from the UNC School of Education

Using timeline games and Mexican history to improve comprehension

http://www.readwritethink.org/lessons/lesson_view.asp?id=931

A lesson plan for Grade 5 English Language Arts and Social Studies

Provider: IRA/NCTE

About this resource

Appropriate grades
5
Subjects
English language arts (reading, writing), social studies (Central America, civics and government, North America, world cultures, world history), thinking skills (research skills), diverse learners (multiple intelligences), education technology (computer/technology skills)
Provider
IRA/NCTE

Legal

Creative Commons License

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This lesson offers teachers a step-by-step plan for using interactive technology to explore Mexican History. Teachers model comprehension skills to help students identify major historical events and put them in a logical order. After conducting online research on assigned topics, students create timelines to visually organize new information. ReadWriteThink provides graphic organizers, guiding research questions, rubrics, and self–evaluation opportunities for students. Additionally, the lesson offers links to sample online timelines and interactive websites that explain the history and development of Mexico.

North Carolina Curriculum Alignment

Social Studies (2003)

Grade 5

  • Goal 1: The learner will apply key geographic concepts to the United States and other countries of North America.
    • Objective 1.07: Analyze the past movement of people, goods, and ideas within and among the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Central America and compare it to movement today.
  • Goal 3: The learner will examine the roles various ethnic groups have played in the development of the United States and its neighboring countries.
    • Objective 3.07: Describe art, music, and craft forms in the United States and compare them to various art forms in Canada, Mexico, and selected countries of Central America.
  • Goal 4: The learner will trace key developments in United States history and describe their impact on the land and people of the nation and its neighboring countries.
    • Objective 4.07: Compare and contrast changes in rural and urban settlement patterns in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and selected countries of Central America.
    • Objective 4.08: Trace the development of the United States as a world leader and analyze the impact of its relationships with Canada, Mexico, and selected countries of Central America.
  • Goal 5: The learner will evaluate ways the United States and other countries of North America make decisions about the allocation and use of economic resources.
    • Objective 5.05: Evaluate the influence of discoveries, inventions, and innovations on economic interdependence.

English Language Arts (2004)

Grade 5

  • Goal 2: The learner will apply strategies and skills to comprehend text that is read, heard, and viewed.
    • Objective 2.06: Analyze choice of reading materials congruent with purposes (e.g., reading for information, reading to extend content area learning, reading for pleasure, entertainment).
    • Objective 2.07: Evaluate the usefulness and quality of information and ideas based on purpose, experiences, text(s), and graphics.
  • Goal 3: The learner will make connections through the use of oral language, written language, and media and technology.
    • Objective 3.04: Make informed judgments about television, radio, video/film productions, and other electronic mediums and/or print formats.
    • Objective 3.06: Conduct research (with assistance) from a variety of sources for assigned or self-selected projects (e.g., print and non-print texts, artifacts, people, libraries, databases, computer networks).
    • Objective 3.07: Make informed judgments about:
      • bias.
      • propaganda.
      • stereotyping.
      • media techniques.
  • Goal 5: The learner will apply grammar and language conventions to communicate effectively.
    • Objective 5.06: Proofread for accuracy of spelling using appropriate strategies to confirm spelling and to correct errors.
    • Objective 5.07: Edit final product for grammar, language conventions, and format.
    • Objective 5.08: Create readable documents through legible handwriting and word processing.