Lesson 2: Phase 1- Plans Instruction

I will explain the goal of the lesson (to create a timeline for the purpose of writing a story) at the end of our pilgrim letters. After talking about pilgrims using my timeline I will reiterate their lesson goal of creating a timeline outline for their story, and explain what their story will be about, and what the requirements are (using at least two facts or events from colonial times).

They are appropriate because the students will have prior knowledge of the Kidspiration and the concept of timelines. It fits with the time of the year (Thanksgiving). And it does not require them to do both the timeline and the story in the same period; it simply gets them started thinking about their story, sequencing it, and preparing their thoughts. This will give them the time they need and a way of organizing and retaining the new information.

The AZ state social studies standards require knowledge of pilgrims and their interaction with Native Americans, recognition that the U.S. began as 13 colonies rules by England, comparison of colonists to people now, the significance of national holidays, placing events chronologically on a timeline, and retelling of stories to describe past places, people, and events. All of these items are covered at least in part by the standards. The students will learn about Thanksgiving as a national holiday and the interaction of pilgrims with Native Americans in this setting and possibly when the Mayflower arrived through this lesson. They will discuss colonial life, indicating knowledge of the 13 colonies and their rule by England. They will use the timeline to place the story events in chronological order and use this to retell stories similar to those of colonists.
The common core language arts and literacy standards require writing of informative/explanatory texts which name a topic, facts about the topic, and provide closure, as well as writing narratives with at least two sequenced events, details of the events, and language indicating the sequence. The students will do this by creating their timelines and will continue to accomplish these standards when writing the rest of their stories in the future.