Lesson Plan 2: The Story of Tecumseh

 Element of Main Lesson: 

Story


Plans for Teaching:

Introduction of the Activity

The students have been studying US Geography and History. They are currently in the Midwest states. The story of Tecumseh gives the children a picture of Native American life at that time and some of the troubles that followed the Indian Nations at that time. I will give some background information regarding the time period and the American attitudes toward the Natives. Then launch into his personal history.
 

Steps in the Activity

Quieting the children down
Introducing the topic
Building the background story
Describe the big three moments of his life
Summation

Maintaining class participation in the activity: (embedded in steps?)
The children already know how to behave during story time. I will focus on descriptive language to draw them into the story and making eye contact to maintain interest.

 

Reflection on doing the activity:
Telling history is a challenge for me. Especially on a subject I knew absolutely nothing about. I am fearful of screwing something up, more so than telling a "story". It seemed to go well, the children were patient as I paused in a few places searching for the right descriptive word. In a way I think it fell flat. I found it very hard to maintain liveliness when moving from one treaty date to the next, and describing how each new treaty was bad for the Native Tribes. I managed to get across my own sympathy in Tecumseh's plight, how he kept trying to unite the Indian Nations, but never managed to do so.

 

 

Lesson Plan 3: John Henry Song

Element of Main Lesson: 

Song


Plans for Teaching:

Introduction of the Activity

Have the children recall the story they heard yesterday. Have them picture the men working a railroad line. To think how singing could lighten the load of the work and help the workers feel like they were part of a community. That they spoke a common language. How songs could bring hope and comfort.
 

Steps in the Activity
Have the children stand and stretch.
Set up the song.
Set up expectations of singing. Giving a visual of granny in the back row straining to hear them. Sing to her!
Sing the 4 verses I choose.
Start a call and response 2 lines at a time.
Sing each verse after a call and response to learn it.
If time permits (singing is usually right before snack), sing more than once.

Maintaining class participation in the activity: (embedded in steps?)

 With the song broken up into little pieces, there should not be any problem maintaining participation

 

Reflection on doing the activity:
This went really well.
Things I learned: 
Don't just practice the verses whole, practice them broken up for the call and response
Practice the hand indications of the notes.
OR
Practice keeping time consistent.

 

 

Lesson Plan 4: Biography of Harriet Tubman

Element of Main Lesson: 

Story


Plans for Teaching:

Introduction of the Activity

The students have been studying US Geography and History. Their teacher picked this biography to highlight the plight of the slaves in the south and how one choose something different.
 

Steps in the Activity
Quieting the children down
Introducing the topic
Building the background story
Describe the big 4 pictures of her life
Summation

Maintaining class participation in the activity: (embedded in steps?)
The children already know how to behave during story time. I will focus on descriptive language to draw them into the story and making eye contact to maintain interest.

 

Reflection on doing the activity:
This story went much better than the last one I told. I had a problem connecting to Tecumseh. I had no problems connecting to Harriet Tubman's story. She lived such a full death and it was easy to pick and choose the snapshots of her life to focus on. Bonus. I told this story on the day of or the day before the 100th anniversary of her life. I was able to keep the children's interest and it was obvious they were involved in the story. I feel a lot better about my story telling ability after this activity.

 

 

Lesson Plan 4: Biography of Harriet Tubman

Element of Main Lesson: 

Story


Plans for Teaching:

Introduction of the Activity

The students have been studying US Geography and History. Their teacher picked this biography to highlight the plight of the slaves in the south and how one choose something different.
 

Steps in the Activity
Quieting the children down
Introducing the topic
Building the background story
Describe the big 4 pictures of her life
Summation

Maintaining class participation in the activity: (embedded in steps?)
The children already know how to behave during story time. I will focus on descriptive language to draw them into the story and making eye contact to maintain interest.

 

Reflection on doing the activity:
This story went much better than the last one I told. I had a problem connecting to Tecumseh. I had no problems connecting to Harriet Tubman's story. She lived such a full life and it was easy to pick and choose the snapshots of her life to focus on. Bonus. I told this story on the day of or the day before the 100th anniversary of her life. I was able to keep the children's interest and it was obvious they were involved in the story. I feel a lot better about my story telling ability after this activity.

 

 

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Just in case you are wondering

Why am I being all posty mcpostal?

I had my teacher look unofficially at my student teacher blog and he pointed out I was missing a few things. I'm posting as many as I can tonight while I'm still at school and won't be bothered by anyone.