Greg Fay: Concept Mapping

This is a simple lesson and demonstration of a concept map. This map in particular, looks at the United States government. It examines the different branches of the US government, and uses a concept map to provide visualization.

The Government, it’s kind of like a three-legged stool

Name:
Greg Fay

Date:
9/3/10

Content Area:
Social Studies

Grade/Level:
3^rd Grade

TN State Learning Accomplishments: http://www.state.tn.us/education/curriculum.shtml
3.4.01 Discuss the structure and purposes of governance.
           a. Describe the basic structures of government in the state.
           b. Recognize who makes laws in the state.
3.4.03 Understand the rights, responsibilities and privileges of citizens living in a democratic republic.
           a. Identify government officials and explain how they are chosen.
           b. Explain the concept of the consent of the governed and its importance to the functions of government.

NETS-S Performance Indicators: http://www.iste.org/Content/NavigationMenu/NETS/ForStudents/2007Standards/NETS_for_Students_2007.htm
1b. create original works as a means of personal or group expression.
2a. interact, collaborate, and publish with peers, experts, or others employing a variety of digital environments and media.
3b. locate, organize, analyze, evaluate, synthesize, and ethically use information from a variety of sources and media.
3d. process data and report results.

NETS-T Performance Indicators: http://www.iste.org/Content/NavigationMenu/NETS/ForTeachers/2008Standards/NETS_for_Teachers_2008.htm
2a. design or adapt relevant learning experiences that incorporate digital tools and resources to promote student learning and creativity.
3a. demonstrate fluency in technology systems and the transfer of current knowledge to new technologies and situations.

TN State Computer Technology Learning Accomplishments: http://www.state.tn.us/education/ci/computer/index.shtml
1.1.   Students will demonstrate an understanding of the nature and operation of technology systems.
1.2.      Students will exhibit a proficiency in the use of technology.

Essential Question: What are the three branches of government in the United States, and what are their basic functions?

Concept Map Integration Plan: The students will present information to the class, and the teacher will create a concept map using PowerPoint and a smart board. This map can provide visualization to visual learner. It can also be printed into a great review, or assessment tool.

Brief description of the Instruction Plan: Students will use the jigsaw method to learn, and teach one another about the three branches of government. The teacher will split the class into three equal groups. Each group will then be assigned a branch of the Tennessee state government: executive, legislative, and judicial. The students will have to research their specific branch of government. They need to learn: who is part of the branch, what part the branch plays in law making, how many member are in the branch, and any other information the group feels is important. Then, the students will come back together and share their information with the rest of the class. Each group will get a chance to share information they learned. While the students are sharing information, the teacher will be taking down the information to be made into a concept map. Once all the information is presented, the teacher will added any information that is needed, and arrange the final information in a concept map.

Additional Technology Integration to be Used: For this lesson, the teacher will use a computer, a smart board, and PowerPoint.

Description of the ‘relative advantage’ of all technology being used in this lesson: In this lesson technology is helpful for quickly taking down student ideas, and organizing them in a visual fashion. By setting up a concept map, students can get a visualization of the three branches of government, and the differences between them. Also, by using PowerPoint, or any other computer program, the teacher can easily print the concept map out to give to the class for review. By using jigsaw, students will have more of a connection to the map, as they helped to make it.

Name: Greg Fay	Date: 9/3/10
Content Area: Social Studies	Grade/Level: 3^rd Grade
TN State Learning Accomplishments: http://www.state.tn.us/education/curriculum.shtml 3.4.01 Discuss the structure and purposes of governance. a. Describe the basic structures of government in the state. b. Recognize who makes laws in the state. 3.4.03 Understand the rights, responsibilities and privileges of citizens living in a democratic republic. a. Identify government officials and explain how they are chosen. b. Explain the concept of the consent of the governed and its importance to the functions of government.
NETS-S Performance Indicators: http://www.iste.org/Content/NavigationMenu/NETS/ForStudents/2007Standards/NETS_for_Students_2007.htm 1b. create original works as a means of personal or group expression. 2a. interact, collaborate, and publish with peers, experts, or others employing a variety of digital environments and media. 3b. locate, organize, analyze, evaluate, synthesize, and ethically use information from a variety of sources and media. 3d. process data and report results.
NETS-T Performance Indicators: http://www.iste.org/Content/NavigationMenu/NETS/ForTeachers/2008Standards/NETS_for_Teachers_2008.htm 2a. design or adapt relevant learning experiences that incorporate digital tools and resources to promote student learning and creativity. 3a. demonstrate fluency in technology systems and the transfer of current knowledge to new technologies and situations.
TN State Computer Technology Learning Accomplishments: http://www.state.tn.us/education/ci/computer/index.shtml 1.1. Students will demonstrate an understanding of the nature and operation of technology systems. 1.2. Students will exhibit a proficiency in the use of technology.
Essential Question: What are the three branches of government in the United States, and what are their basic functions?
Concept Map Integration Plan: The students will present information to the class, and the teacher will create a concept map using PowerPoint and a smart board. This map can provide visualization to visual learner. It can also be printed into a great review, or assessment tool.
Brief description of the Instruction Plan: Students will use the jigsaw method to learn, and teach one another about the three branches of government. The teacher will split the class into three equal groups. Each group will then be assigned a branch of the Tennessee state government: executive, legislative, and judicial. The students will have to research their specific branch of government. They need to learn: who is part of the branch, what part the branch plays in law making, how many member are in the branch, and any other information the group feels is important. Then, the students will come back together and share their information with the rest of the class. Each group will get a chance to share information they learned. While the students are sharing information, the teacher will be taking down the information to be made into a concept map. Once all the information is presented, the teacher will added any information that is needed, and arrange the final information in a concept map.
Additional Technology Integration to be Used: For this lesson, the teacher will use a computer, a smart board, and PowerPoint.
Description of the ‘relative advantage’ of all technology being used in this lesson: In this lesson technology is helpful for quickly taking down student ideas, and organizing them in a visual fashion. By setting up a concept map, students can get a visualization of the three branches of government, and the differences between them. Also, by using PowerPoint, or any other computer program, the teacher can easily print the concept map out to give to the class for review. By using jigsaw, students will have more of a connection to the map, as they helped to make it.

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Concept Mapping