Final Project Lesson Plan
Title of Activity: Battle of the Alamo
Grade Level: 4th
Time Required: 5 days
Lesson Designer: Sarah Anderson
Curriculum Design Justification & Resources: Inquiry & Exploration
Online Resources/References to be used within the lesson: Hotlist
(http://www.kn.att.com/wired/fil/pages/listthealamte.html)
Standards: 4th Grade TEKS (Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills)
(2) History. The student understands the causes and effects of European
exploration and colonization of Texas and the Western Hemisphere. The
student is expected to:
(E) identify the impact of Mexico's independence from Spain on the
events in Texas.
(3) History. The student understands the causes and effects of the Texas
Revolution, the Republic of Texas, and the annexation of Texas to the
United States. The student is expected to:
(A) analyze the causes, major events, and effects of the Texas
Revolution, including the battles of the Alamo and San Jacinto;
(23) Social studies skills. The student communicates in written, oral, and
visual forms. The student is expected to:
(A) use social studies terminology correctly;
(B) incorporate main and supporting ideas in verbal and written
communication;
(C) express ideas orally based on research and experiences;
(D) create written and visual material such as journal entries,
reports, graphic organizers, outlines, and bibliographies; and
(E) use standard grammar, spelling, sentence structure, and
punctuation.
Materials Needed: Computer with projector for teacher and/or classroom set of
computers.
Introduction:
Questions & Planning:
Processes/Tasks:
Use 5 E’s (Engage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate, and Evaluate)
Day 1:
1. Watch video of Texas Independence.
http://www.txindependence.org/story_texas.php
2. After viewing the movie ask students: What should they do? What would
you do? Have a class discussion about the events leading up to the Battle of
the Alamo.
3. Have students make a class KWL (What you Know, what you Want to
know, what you Learned) chart. Have them fill in the K and W sections.
Day 2:
1. Review the class KWL chart. Have students focus on one or two questions
in the “What you Want to know” section.
2. View website “Ten Facts about the Alamo”.
http://www.surfnetkids.com/go/61/ten-facts-about-the-alamo/
3. Have students go on the Alamo website
(http://thealamo.org/main/index.php) and browse.
4. Have students add to the KWL chart.
Day 3:
1. Ask students:
a. What were some causes and effects of the Texas Revolution?
b. Why did the 189 men want to fight to the death to protect the Alamo?
c. Give examples of how the men knew they were fighting a losing
battle?
2. View PBS videos (1-3) about the Alamo to tie the information together.
http://military.discovery.com/videos/Alamo
a. Battle of the Alamo (3:42 min.)
b. David Crockett (3:09 min.)
c. Recreating the Battle (3:43 min.)
3. Have the students answer the questions and add to the class KWL chart.
Day 4:
1. Students will take turns playing “In Washington Town” a virtual game
about traveling from __ to Washington Town in March 1836.
2. Have students write a journal based on their experience with “In
Washington Town”.
Day 5:
1. Take the 10 question quiz on the Battle of the Alamo.
http://www.funtrivia.com/trivia-quiz/History/Remember-the-Alamo236232.html
Outcome/Evaluation:
1. Take Online quiz.
2. Turn in journal entries.
3. Grade worksheets
Evaluation Method:
Citations:
Video of Texas Independence
http://www.txindependence.org/story_texas.php
In Washington Town virtual game
http://www.txindedendence.org/Washington_game.php
http://military.discovery.com/videos/Alamo
Ten Facts About the Alamo
http://www.surfnetkids.com/go/61/ten-facts-about-the-alamo
Quiz about the Alamo
http://www.funtrivia.com/trivia-quiz/History/Remember-the-Alamo-236232.html
Workshop: Inquiry-Based Learning
http://www.thirteen.org/edonline/concept2class/inquiry/index.html
150-350 word justification:
Inquiry and exploratory lessons are fun for the students and teachers. These
lessons involve the teacher giving information on the topic of choice and then
allowing the students time and resources to discover and explore. “An old adage
states: "Tell me and I forget, show me and I remember, involve me and I
understand." The last part of this statement is the essence of inquiry-based
learning. Inquiry implies involvement that leads to understanding. Furthermore,
involvement in learning implies possessing skills and attitudes that permit you to
seek resolutions to questions and issues while you construct new knowledge.”
Inquiry based lessons allow for student success. Each student can answer the
open-ended questions in a way that is authentic. As long as the student can use
facts to back up their answer, then there are no wrong answers.
“Learning theories differ on whether an idea should be introduced before the facts
(deductive) or whether the factual learning should come before the generalization
(inductive). Regardless of where curiosity fits in the scheme of things, classroom
teachers know that motivation is an essential ingredient for classroom learning.
The Internet can help develop interest and motivation in students. The search for
unknowns, or simply exploring stories that hint at the uses of knowledge,
contributes to motivation.”