An Integrated Social Studies and Reading Lesson with a Multicultural Twist Lesson Plan

Lesson Plan #:AELP-RDG002
Submitted by: Pat Lanesey
Email: slanesey@snet.net
School/University/Affiliation: St.Joseph College Date: November 24, 1998

Grade Level(s): 3, 4, 5, 6

Subject(s):

Language Arts/Reading
Social Studies/Multicultural Education

Description: This lesson integrates reading with social studies by introducing children to other cultures of the world. Students will read and write about similar and different cultures from their own.

Goals: Students get a realistic view of the lives of other children around the world, and utilize the book as a comparison model as they develop stories about themselves.

Objective(s): Students will create a self-descriptive page similar to those found in the book. Students will complete a Venn diagram illustrating the similarities and differences between themselves and one child in the book.

Materials:

Several copies of the book Children Just Like Me by Barnabas and Anabel Kindersley. (1995). NY: Dorling Kindersley Publishers.
chart paper and heavy paper
photographs of students (taken in class or at home)
objects that students have brought in from home
camera and film
various writing and drawing utensils

Procedure:

Read one or more pages from the book to the class. Ask comprehension questions and go back to check and verify. Emphasize the layout of the book, and point out the various aspects of the subject’s life which are explored in the book.

Students choose a child from the book who is of interest to them. They put a sticky note with their name on the page.

Students go to that page during allotted reading time or free time to read about the child.

Using their chosen page as a model, students create their own page with photos, drawings, and written descriptions about themselves.

When their page is complete, teacher demonstrates use of a Venn diagram.

Students complete Venn Diagrams comparing and contrasting similarities and differences. Each student shares his/her Venn diagram and page in a classroom display.

When all students’ pages are complete, compile a class book similar to Children Like Me.

Assessment: Assessment is of the understanding of the lesson through examination of the completed Venn diagrams and the students’ created pages.

An Integrated Social Studies and Reading Lesson with a Multicultural Twist Lesson Plan

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