Lesson Plan
Title: Who was Thomas Jefferson? Exploring the Many Facets of Thomas Jefferson
Descriptive Subtitle: Thomas Jefferson, Examining the Nation- Building Role of the Man
Author Information:
Name: Nicole Bolton
Email: ndbolton@mcpss.com
School: W. C. Griggs Elementary School
City: Mobile
State: Alabama
Duration: at least 6 sessions (60 min in length)
Overview: As an introduction to Thomas Jefferson, students will discover the many facets of his life beyond being the author of The Declaration of Independence. Using primary sources, internet research, and the Thomas Jefferson Encyclopedia, students will choose one facet of Jefferson to research and present. Students will make connections between past and present ideas and develop a more well-rounded idea of who Thomas Jefferson was as a person and identify his contributions to America.
This will be a group project. (4 students per group) Each group will choose a category to research that will explore major aspects of Thomas Jefferson’s life.
If teacher does not have time to do full research project, they can choose one facet listed and conduct research as a class.
Prior knowledge: As a research project, students do not need any knowledge about Thomas Jefferson. Students need a knowledge of and access to basic computer technology.
Standards:
ALCOS Technology
ISTE Standard(s) –21st Century Learner:
Students:
Students communicate clearly and express themselves creatively for a variety of purposes using the platforms, tools, styles, formats and digital media appropriate to their goals.
Students: create original works or responsibly repurpose or remix digital resources into new creations.
Social Studies:
5.) Explain the early colonization of North America and reasons for settlement in the Northern, Middle, and Southern colonies, including geographic features, landforms, and differences in climate among the colonies.
6.) Describe colonial economic life and labor systems in the Americas
ALCOS Social Studies
5.8. Identify major events of the American Revolution, including explaining contributions of Thomas Jefferson.
5.10. Describe political, social, and economic events between 1803 and 1860 that led to the expansion of the territory of the United States
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.5.7
Draw on information from multiple print or digital sources, demonstrating the ability to locate an answer to a question quickly or to solve a problem efficiently.
Reading:
Writing:
Objectives:
Through group inquiry and research, students will gain an overview of Thomas Jefferson and his many accomplishments and innovations.
Students will research one area to become an expert and create a digital presentation to present to the class.
This activity will act as an overview. Teacher can choose topics for follow-up teaching.
Steps:
Day 1: (30 minutes) Overview and Introduction to Thomas Jefferson
Introduce students to Jefferson by using the book “Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Everything” by Maira Kalman. This will help students get an overview of Thomas Jefferson.
Have students complete a KWL chart before and after the literature is read aloud to see what students learned.
Day 2: (60 Minutes) Exploring digital resources
First, use “Exploring Monticello” PDF as an introduction to the Unit.
Exploring Monticello for Kids.
Discuss and chart with teachers and students the different aspects of TJ’s life.
Next, introduce students to the Monticello Explorer website and virtual tours and allow students to explore the many facets of Jefferson’s life. http://explorer.monticello.org/
By participating in virtual tours, students could find items in the house that correspond with particular roles Jefferson played. Items such as Lewis and Clark artifacts, pictures of people and places, books, busts of important individuals, and the grounds of Monticello could be used to help students dig deeper and understand who Jefferson was as an ambassador, writer, president and plantation owner.
Teacher can use book “Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Everything” to further the discussion with students over the next few days.
Day 3- Choose topic and begin research
Now that students have had time to explore the sites and learn about Thomas Jefferson allow the students to pick which topic they would like to work on by interviewing them and having them state their reasons for choosing that particular topic.
Have students choose from Plantation Owner, Innovator, Secretary of State, and President.
Explain to students that a question set will be provided to guide their research as a minimum requirement.
Question set for students with suggested links for each topic
Allow students time to begin research and locate the best resources to use for their topic.
Days 4-6 (60 minutes each)
Students will research their topic, using primary sources where possible to gain an understanding. They will use the questions set for their topic to guide them.
Students will produce a digital presentation using PowerPoint, Video or Prezi to present to the class.
Students will take notes on topics that were different from their assigned topic in order to produce a commercial about what they have learned about Thomas Jefferson.
Materials: Suggested Links for Research, Computer with Internet Access
General links
http://explorer.monticello.org/
https://www.monticello.org/site/research-and-collections/tje
TJ Biography
https://www.biography.com/video/thomas-jefferson-mini-biography-46706755839
TJ as Plantation Owner
https://www.monticello.org/slavery-at-monticello/jsam-main-nav-0
TJ as Innovator
https://www.monticello.org/site/blog-and-community/tags/innovation
TJ as Secretary of State
https://history.state.gov/departmenthistory/people/jefferson-thomas
TJ as President
https://www.whitehouse.gov/1600/presidents/thomasjefferson
https://classroom.monticello.org/view/elem/74475/
Assessment(s):
Students will be assessed through their oral presentation to class about their topic using the rubric attached.
Assessment Criteria: Thomas Jefferson Project Rubric
Accommodations:
Students with Special Needs
Students with special academic needs can work in pairs in initial brainstorming. Requirements for presentation can be set according to abilities.
Assistance can also be given to ensure an appropriate chosen.
Advanced Learners
Gifted students can extend this lesson by doing more in-depth research. They also can choose more than one topic.
Notes: Teachers can adapt the essential questions as needed.
For example: Slavery will be mentioned during Plantation Owner research but can be researched and covered in more depth as a single topic during another lesson.