Social Studies Trade Book Lesson

This is a lesson that I developed for the Teaching Social Studies in the Elementary School course that I took in the Fall of 2008.


I chose to use the book John, Paul, George & Ben by Lane Smith. My lesson was geared for use in a third grade classroom. The Indiana Academic Standards that I chose to address in this lesson were:


Social Studies: 3.1.7 Distinguish between fact and fiction in historical accounts by comparing documentary sources on historical figures and events with fictional characters and events in stories.

Language Arts: 3.4.4. Use various reference materials (such as a dictionary, thesaurus, atlas, encyclopedia, and online resources).



Part 1 - Exploratory Introduction
Materials Needed: Teacher made KWL chart, markers
Objectives: Connect what we already know to waht we want to know about the historical figures in the book: John Hancock, Paul Revere, George Washington, Ben Franklin, and Thomas Jefferson.
Procedures: Review what we "know" about the following: John Hancock, Paul Revere, George Washington, Ben Franklin, and Thomas Jefferson. Ask what we "want" to know about these people.
Assessment: Not participation of students


Part 2 - Lesson Development
Materials Needed: John, Paul, George, & Ben by Lane Smith.
Objectives: To give students a recollection of why these historical figures are important; Establish a purpose for listening to oral reading of John, Paul, George & Ben
Procedures: Read book to students; point out which parts are facts and which are fiction. Students will make fact or fiction list.
Assessment Lists written individually by students


Part 3 - Expansion
Materials Needed: various reference materials on John Hancock, Paul Revere, George Washington, Ben Franklin, and Thomas Jeffereson; poster boards
Objectives: Students will learn and understand the importance of the historical figures in history.
Procedures: Students will be broken up into five groups. Each group will research one of the five historical figures and create a fact board on the person.
Assessment: "Fact Board" made by each group