Lesson Plan Guide

Teacher Candidate: Brenna Ballard

Date: November 28, 2016

Grade and Topic: Third Grade, Social Studies

Length of Lesson: 1 Hour, 50 Mins.

Mentor Teacher: Professor Murdock and

Professor Phillips

School: University of Memphis

UNIT/CHAPTER OBJECTIVE/GENERALIZATION/BIG IDEA:

The goal of this lesson plan is to teach third graders how to compare and contrast the three Grand Divisions of
the state of Tennessee. They will compare and contrast such things as the landforms found in Tennessee, the
various climates, population, natural resources, and major cities found in the three Grand Divisions of
Tennessee.
Tennessee State Standards require that students be able to compare and contrast landforms, climates, population,
natural resources, and major cities of the three Grand Divisions of Tennessee.
LESSON OBJECTIVE:
Given a computer, Internet access, and a fill in the blank worksheet, students will be able to research (with a
partner) and complete the handout with 100% accuracy.
Given a computer, students will be able to create a graphic organizer (with a partner) comparing and contrasting
landforms, climates, population, natural resources, and major cities of the three Grand Divisions of Tennessee
with 100% accuracy.
STANDARDS ADDRESSED:
Tennessee State Standard: 3.27 Compare and Contrast landforms, climates, population, natural resources, and
major cities of the three Grand Divisions of Tennessee
ISTE Standards:
3. Research and information fluency: Students apply digital tools to gather, evaluate, and use information.
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
1. Creativity and innovation: Students demonstrate creative thinking, construct knowledge, and develop
innovative products and processes using technology.
a. Apply existing knowledge to generate new ideas, products, or processes
b. Create original works as a means of personal or group expression
MATERIALS:
1. Partner (Each student will be assigned a partner)

2. Computer (One computer per two students)

3. Three Grand Divisions of Tennessee handout (One handout per group)
4. Pencil
5. Internet Access to:
a. http://www.tnhistoryforkids.org/geography/b_4
b. https://prezi.com/3kubxyraexm0/the-3-grand-divisions-of-tennessee/
6. Access to Kidspiration (Students will use this to create their graphic organizer)
7. Access to the classroom printer
Technology Integration: Students will use a computer to view the two websites stated above. They will use
these websites to complete the Three Grand Divisions of Tennessee handout. Students will then use a program
called Kidspiration to create a graphic organizer comparing and contrasting the Three Grand Divisions of
Tennessee. Students, upon completing the activity, will save their work and print their graphic organizer to the
classroom printer. A sample graphic organizer can be found below.

BACKGROUND and RATIONALE:

Students will demonstrate a clear understanding between the similarities and differences of the Three Grand
Divisions of Tennessee.
Academic Language is not addressed in IDT 3600
This lesson connects with the Tennessee State Standard for Social Studies 3.27, which is world geography and
cultures.
As we continue to learn about Tennessee, students will continue to refer to the graphic organizer created in this
lesson.
I am aware that the lesson will be differentiated for students who did not master the objectives and for those
ready for enrichment. However, modifications are not covered in this course and are not part of this particular
lesson.
PROCEDURES AND TIMELINE:
Introduction (5 Minutes): Today, we will continue learning about Tennessee. Does anyone know how many
Divisions Tennessee is split into? Yes, Tennessee is split into THREE Grand Divisions. Today, we will be
exploring these Three Grand Divisions. These Three Grand Divisions are: West Tennessee, Middle Tennessee,
and East Tennessee. You and a partner will be completing two assignments today. First, we are going to
compare and contrast these three divisions using two websites. These two websites are the only websites you
will need to complete the handout I am about to give you. This handout will help you complete the final
activity. After you have completed the Three Grand Divisions of Tennessee handout, you and your partner
will create a graphic organizer demonstrating what you have learned about the similarities and differences
between each of these Three Grand Divisions. Remember to have fun and be creative while creating your
graphic organizer. Lets get started!
Procedures:
Prior to the Computer (10 Minutes)
Teacher Procedures:
1. After the introduction, pair each student with a partner. After each student is given a partner,
assign each group to a computer (make sure to remind students that they will need a pencil to
complete the handout).
2. Pass out the Three Grand Divisions of Tennessee handout (ONE handout per group)
Student Procedures:
1. Students will wait to be paired up with a partner
2. Students will move with their partner to the designated computer and wait for a handout.
At the Computer (20 Minutes) Part 1

Teacher Procedures: (Walk around and make sure students are not having difficulty finding
this particular website.)
1. Have students open Safari and search for TN History for Kids
2. Have students then navigate to Basic Geography, Part Five: Grand Divisions
3. Once students have found the correct website, help them find the answer to number 1 on the
Three Grand Divisions of Tennessee handout. (This will help them get started)
4. Tell students to raise their hand after they have completed the first EIGHT questions on the
handout.
Student Procedures:
1. Open Safari
2. Search for TN History for Kids
3. Click on Basic Geography, Part Five: Grand Divisions
4. Complete the first eight questions on the Three Grand Divisions of Tennessee handout and
raise hand.
At the Computer (20 Minutes) Part 2
Teacher Procedures: (Continue to walk around and assist students.)
1. After each student has completed the first eight questions, have students search for the
website: https://prezi.com/3kubxyraexm0/the-3-grand-divisions-of-tennessee/
2. Have students view the Prezi presentation and answer the next TEN questions on the handout.
3. After students are done, they will raise their hand.
4. Briefly review each students handout. Make sure they have answered ALL the questions and
are on the right track in order to create their graphic organizers.
Student Procedures:
1. Search for the website that is written on the board: https://prezi.com/3kubxyraexm0/the-3grand-divisions-of-tennessee/
2. View the entire Prezi presentation while answering the next ten questions.
3. Once completed, raise hand.
At the Computer (40 Minutes) Part 3
Teacher Procedures: (Continue to walk around and assist students.)
1. After each student has completed the handout, make sure students know that it is critical to use
that handout to create their graphic organizers.
2. Have students open the Kidspiration program on their computer.
3. Instruct students to create a graphic organizer demonstrating their knowledge about the Three
Grand Divisions of Tennessee.
4. Inform students that their graphic organizer should compare and contrast the Three Grand
Divisions of Tennessee in some way. Their graphic organizer should include all the
information
presented on the handout (landforms, climates, population, natural
resources, and major cities).
5. Have students print their graphic organizer to the classroom printer after they have completed
the assignment.
6. Collect each graphic organizer to grade.

Student Procedures:

1. Open the Kidspiration program

2. Using the Three Grand Divisions of Tennessee handout, create a graphic organizer
3. Make sure to use all the information on the handout, including: landforms, climates,
population, natural resources, and major cities.
4. After completing the graphic organizer, print the assignment to the classroom printer.
After the Computer (10 Minutes)
Teacher Procedures:
1. Instruct students to move back to their desks
2. Make sure all students have printed their graphic organizers
3. Ask students if they had any trouble while creating their graphic organizer and if they enjoyed
using Kidspiration.
Student Procedures:
1. Return back to desk
2. Participate in the teacher led discussion about graphic organizers and Kidspiration.

Closure (5 Minutes): Allow students to share any new information that they learned during the process of this
assignment. Congratulate students on their hard work. Inform them that they will be using these graphic
organizers as we continue to discuss Tennessee. Let students know that they will get their graphic organizers
back within the next day (along with a copy for their partner).

ASSESSMENT EVIDENCE:

Graphic Organizer

Content

Content is minimal,
it is missing
THREE of the
pieces of
information
presented on the
handout
No clear or logical
organizational
structure

Appearance

Makes use of font,

color, graphics,
effects, etc. but
these distract from
the presentation
content

Includes essential
knowledge about
the topic, however it
is missing ONE of
the pieces of
information
presented on the
handout
Content is
organized, however
there are minimal
errors
Makes good use of
font, color, graphics,
effects, etc. to
enhance the
presentation

Covers all of the

information
presented on the
handout (climate,
population, natural
resources, major
cities)

Organization

Includes essential
information about
the topic but it is
missing TWO
pieces of
information
presented on the
handout
Content is
somewhat logically
organized, needs
work
Makes use of font,
color, graphics,
effects, etc. but
these occasionally
distract from
presentation content

Grammar/Spelling

More than four

errors in spelling or
grammar

Four misspellings or
grammatical errors

1-2 misspellings or
grammatical errors

Minimal number of
errors in spelling or
grammar

Content is well
organized
Makes excellent use
of font, color,
graphics, effects,
etc. to enhance the
presentation

MODIFICATIONS:
I am aware that the lesson will be differentiated for students who did not master the objective and for those
ready for enrichment. However, modifications are not covered in this course and are not part of this particular
lesson.

STUDENT SAMPLE:

Graphic Organizer Student Sample

STUDENT HANDOUT:

Name: ________________
Three Grand Divisions of Tennessee

Directions: For these first eight questions, you will be using a website called Tennessee
History for Kids. You will need to read this website and answer the questions as you go.
1. Within Tennessee, there are three Grand Divisions--__________ , __________ , and
__________ .
2. If you live in East Tennessee, you live in a section of the state that has __________
__________ and __________ __________ .
3. The biggest city in East Tennessee is __________ .
4. If you live in __________ __________ , you probably arent used to hills and mountains.
5. West Tennessee is mostly __________ , with a lot of __________ .
6. The biggest city in West Tennessee is _________ , at the Southwestern corner of the
state.
7. __________ _________ has some flat land, but it also has hills and mountains.
8. The biggest city in Middle Tennessee is __________ .
Directions: For these next ten questions, you will be using a Prezi called Three Grand
Divisions of Tennessee. In order to answer these questions, you will need to view the
entire Prezi presentation.
1. Name 3 landforms found in East Tennessee: __________ , __________ , __________
2. Name 3 landforms found in Middle Tennessee: __________ , __________ , __________
3. Name 3 landforms found in West Tennessee: __________ , __________ , __________
4. Match each population with the correct division:
__________ West TN

a. 2, 069, 976

__________ Middle TN
__________ East TN

b. 1, 499, 802
c. 1, 211, 439

5. Name 1 natural resource found in East Tennessee: __________

6. Name 1 natural resource found in Middle Tennessee: __________
7. Name 1 natural resource found in West Tennessee: __________
8. East TN has __________ summers, and __________ winters.
9. Middle TN has __________ summers, and _________ winters.
10. West TN has __________ summers, and __________ winters.

STUDENT HANDOUT ANSWER KEY:

Three Grand Divisions of Tennessee
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

East, Middle, West

Big Mountains, Deep Valleys
Knoxville
West Tennessee
Flat, Farms
Memphis
Middle Tennessee
Nashville

1. Answers my
2. Answers my
3. Answers my
4. B, A, C
5. Answers my
6. Answers my
7. Answers my
8. Mild, Cold
9. Mild, Cold
10. Hot, Cool

vary (grade accordingly)

vary (grade accordingly)
vary (grade accordingly)
vary (grade accordingly)
vary (grade accordingly)
vary (grade accordingly)