Meredith Huls
Unpacking, Assessment Alignment, and Overview
Subject: Social Studies
Grade: 5th
Topic: Exploration and Colonization of North America
Core standards, objectives, and indicators: 1.1a, 1.1b, 1.1c, 1.1f
Unit Objective: Students will analyze the exploration and contributions to the early colonization of North America.
Lesson Title
American
Explorers
Unpacking
# of Indicator(s)
Days
1-2
1.1 c
Identify
explorers
who came to
the Americas
and the
nations they
represented.
Objectives
(1) I can
(2)
comp
are
and
contr
ast
(4) 3
(2)
explo
rers
who
came
to the
Amer
icas
Alignment
Overview
Type of
Assessment
Lesson outline
Assessment
(Evidence)
Small
Fill out graphic
 Bellwork
organizer on
 Watch the
explorers of
explorer video.
America, glue into
Read the
social studies
exploration
journal
article.
 Pair students
Small
Match the explorer
up and have
to the nation they
them fill out
represent
graphic
worksheet. (glue in
organizer as
journal)
they read the
article.
Big
Exit Ticket:
 Model this.
Compare and
 As a class go
contrast three
over graphic
explorers who came
organizer.
to the Americas and
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the nations they
represent in journal.
At least half page.
and
the
natio
ns
they
repre
sent.
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Explorer
Routes
1-2
1.1 a Using maps including pre-1492
maps - and other
geographic tools,
locate and analyze the
routes used by the
explorers.
(1) I can (2)
analyze (4) 3 (2)
routes used by
explorers in the
Americas.
Small
Small
Big
Graphic organizer
word web with
routes and features
of the routes to fill
out. Glue in journal.
Vinn Diagram of
two routes compare
and contrast. Glue
in journal.
Exit Ticket: Choose
three routes used by
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Students give
answers on
graphic
organizer.
Check for
student
understanding.
Ask for
questions.
Handout
explorer nation
worksheet.
Students fill
out worksheet.
Review the
explorers.
Revisit
objective
Exit tickets.
Bellwork
Read objective
as a class.
Handout maps
of the routes
explorers took
to the
Americas.
Handout out
graphic
organizer.
Students fill
out word web.
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the explorers and
analyze them. Glue
in journal.
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Explorer
Maps
1-2
1.1 a Using maps including pre-1492
maps - and other
geographic tools,
locate and analyze the
routes used by the
explorers.
(1) I can (2)
locate on a pre1492 map (4) 3
(2) routes used
by the explorers.
Small
Small
On a worksheet
with unnamed
routes color in
routes that are color
coded with a key of
routes that go with
specific explorers.
Glue in journal
Small group making
their own map with
routes and other
features and present
to class. Each child
in group explains
part of map.
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Discuss as
class explorer
routes.
Students
complete Vinn
Diagram.
Watch video
on explorer
routes.
Review routes
with class.
Ask for
questions
Revisit
objective
Exit ticket.
Bellwork
Read learning
objective
together.
Handout
explorer maps.
As a class
review the
maps and the
early routes.
Students
analyze the
length of the
routes and the
route
themselves.
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Big
On a blank map
draw in and name
routes used by the
explorers. Glue in
journal.
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Technological 1-2
Advances
1.1 b Explain how
advances in
technology lead to an
increase in exploration
(e.g. ship technology)
1) I can (2)
analyze (4) 3
ways (2)
advances in
technology lead
to an increase in
exploration
Small
In journal list at
least three advances
in technology that
lead to an increase
in exploration.
Small
Describe the
advances in
technology relation
to increased
exploration.
(Journal)
Big
Exit Ticket: In
journal analyze
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Handout
worksheet and
have students
fill it in.
In a small
group students
will create their
own maps.
Group presents
their map to
the class.
Review the
maps with the
class.
Revisit the
objective.
Exit ticket.
Bellwork
Read objective
with class.
Technology
video
Class
discussion
about the
technologies
that influenced
exploration
from video.
Students list 3
technological
advances that
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three ways
advances in
technology lead to
an increase in
exploration.
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American
Indian
Contributions
2-3
1.1 f. Analyze
contributions of
American Indian
people to the colonial
settlements.
(1) I can (2)
analyze (4) 3 (2)
contributions of
American Indian
people to the
Small
List the
contributions of AI
people to the CS in
social studies
journal.
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lead to an
increase in
exploration.
Students
predict what
exploration
would have
been like
without these
advances in
small groups.
Groups share
with class.
Students
describe the
advances in
technology in
relation to
increased
exploration in
journal.
Revisit
objective.
Review
technological
advances.
Exit ticket.
Bellwork
Read learning
objective to
class.
Show pilgrim
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colonial
settlements.
Small
Big
Word web graphic
organizer to fill out
of the colonial
settlements in
middle and
contributions in
smaller circles
glued into journal.
One page written in
journal analyzing
three contributions
of American Indian
people to the
colonial settlements
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video
Ask questions
after video.
Write student
answers on
board.
Jigsaw activity
Students write
in their journal
3 contributions
of the
American
Indians.
Students
research the
settlement of
Jamestown or
Plymouth.
Students fill
out graphic
organizer.
Students share
graphic
organizer.
Switch so
students can
share with
others.
Revisit
objective.
Review lesson.
Exit ticket.
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Summative
Assessment
Students will
create a flip book
that includes the
requirements from
each exit ticket in
each lesson. Will
graded with a
rubric with the
requirements from
each exit ticket.
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