Grade 3: Charter Oak Tree Introductory Activity
Rating: 
http://docsteach.org/activities/16239/detail
Common Core Standards
Reading Informational Text
RI.3.1 Ask and answer questions to demonstrate understanding of a text, referring explicitly to the text as the basis for the answers.
RI.3.7 Use information gained from illustrations (e.g., maps, photographs) and the words in a text to demonstrate understanding of the text (e.g., where, when, why, and how key events occur).
Speaking and Listening
SL.3.1 (a) Come to discussions prepared, having read or studied required material; explicitly draw on that preparation and other information known about the topic to explore ideas under discussion.
SL.3.2 Determine the main ideas and supporting details of a text read aloud or information presented in diverse media and formats, including visually, quantitatively, and orally.
Description of Lesson
This Grade 3 lesson titled "Charter Oak Tree Introductory Activity" by Nicole Cingiser and cited on National Archives DOCS TEACH is intended to develop students’ observation and document analysis skills. Throughout classroom activities, students analyze the story of Connecticut’s Charter using the See, Think, Wonder Thinking Routine. As a culminating task, students examine and revise text based on historical evidence that they’ve gathered through an exploration of Connecticut’s Charter Oak story.
Cautions
Connecticut teachers are cautioned that Common Core Standards were added to this lesson as none were included. The lesson activity as described lacks detail; teachers will have to look through the description and its links for more information to inform instruction. The instructional time needed for this lesson is not included. The plan would be enhanced with more scaffolding, teacher modeling, and discrete skill instruction for all students. While there is a culminating task, an aligned rubric will need to be developed to provide sufficient guidance for interpreting students’ understanding.
Rationale for Selection
This lesson is a useful example of how to develop early elementary students’ observation and basic analysis skills as it builds students’ content knowledge of their state’s past using historical documents. It aligns with the Connecticut Elementary and Secondary Social Studies Frameworks for third grade and could be used to complement an existing unit.
Link to See, Think, Wonder Thinking Routine Information (from visiblethinkingpz.org)
Link to See, Think, Wonder Thinking Organizer (from lesson materials)