Teachers:

Megan Guy

Subject:
Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, Valley
of the Moon: The Diary of Maria,
Social Studies, 5 Grade
th

Common Core State Standards:

Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events
using effective technique, descriptive details, and clear event
sequences. a. Orient the reader by establishing a situation and
introducing a narrator and/or characters; organize an event sequence
that unfolds naturally. b. Use narrative techniques, such as dialogue,
description, and pacing, to develop experiences and events or show
the responses of characters to situations. c. Use a variety of
transitional words, phrases, and clauses to manage the sequence of
events. d. Use concrete words and phrases and sensory details to
convey experiences and events precisely. e. Provide a conclusion that
follows from the narrated experiences or events. (5.W.3)
LI-1: writing on or more narrative paragraphs based on imagined or
real events that includes characters, setting, and details to develop
the plot using appropriate transitional words and varied sentence
structure.
PO 1. Describe the following events of 19 century presidencies of:
a. James Polk Mexican-American War; discovery of gold in California
th

Objective (Explicit):
Students will use their knowledge of The Treaty of Guadalupe
Hidalgo and the book, Valley of the Moon: The Diary of Maria, to
write a final entry in the diary.
Evidence of Mastery (Measurable):
Students will display their understanding and comprehension of the text by
adding a final chapter to the book Valley of The Moon: The Diary of Maria.
Sub-objectives, SWBAT (Sequenced from basic to complex):
Students will be
Students will be
Students will be
Students will be
Students will be
American War.

able
able
able
able
able

Key vocabulary:

to
to
to
to
to

read the text with accuracy and fluency.

comprehend the reading.
use critical and creative thinking to add to the text.
write a narrative.
understand what happened during the MexicanMaterials:

Treaty- a formal agreement

between two or more states in
reference to peace, alliance,
commerce, or other international
relations.

Book
Pencil
Paper
Laptop

Boundaries- a line that marks

the limits of an area; a dividing
line.
Diary- a book in which one keeps
a daily record of events and
experiences.
Dispute- a disagreement,
argument, or debate.
Opening (state objectives, connect to previous learning, and make
relevant to real life)
To connect to past learning, the teacher will refresh the students memory of
the unit they have been working on and all the information they have
learned and the tasks they have accomplished. To present the objective
and activate student learning, the teacher will ask the students to put
themselves in Marias, the main character of the book, shoes. The teacher
will communicate the importance of this lesson to the students by
reminding them that the Mexican-American War really affected Maria and
thousands of others.
Instructional
Input

Teacher Will:

Student Will:

The teacher will have

students take out
their books.
The teacher will have
students discuss the
book and their
feelings about the
book in groups.
The teacher will show
the students other
diary entries from
people who were
affected by the
Mexican-American
War.

The students will come to

class prepared with
materials.
The students will have their
books completely read.
The students will discuss
their feelings and opinions
about the book In groups.
The students will ask
questions and make
comments.
The students will respect the
teacher and not talk while
the teacher is talking.

The teacher will

answer any questions
that the students
have.
The teacher will allow
students to share
their thoughts with
the whole class if
they wish to do so.

Differentiation Strategy
Students with comprehension trouble will
be paired in a group with high excelling
students to ensure their understanding of the
reading.
Guided Practice

Teacher Will:

Student Will:

The teacher will make

sure students
understand how to
write a narrative and
diary entry.
The teacher will have
the students re-read
the final diary entry
in the book.
The teacher will tell
the students to jot
down ideas of what
may have happened
after the final diary
entry.
The teacher will have
students share some
of their best ideas to
the class.

The students will ask

questions and make
comments.
The students will re-read the
final diary entry.
The students will take out
their notebooks and jot down
a couple of well-thought out
ideas of what may have or
could have happened after
the final diary entry.
The students will share their
ideas out loud if they wish.

Differentiation Strategy
Students will receive help with
understanding narratives if needed.

Independent
Practice

Teacher Will:

Student Will:

The teacher will have

the students pick one
of their ideas of what
may have happened
after the final diary
entry.
The teacher will have
the students research
on their laptops
about the MexicanAmerican War, the
Treaty of Guadalupe
and Hidalgo, and the
connection to their
idea.
The teacher will have
the students fill out a
graphic organizer
with their thoughts
and a plot.
The teacher will have
the students create a
final journal entry
rough draft and final
copy.

The students will pick their

best idea of what may have
happened after the final diary
entry.
The students will do research
on their laptops on the
assigned topics and nothing
else.
The students will plan out
their diary entry on a graphic
organizer.
The students will create a
rough draft and final entry of
their diary entry.
The students will ask
questions.

Differentiation Strategy
The students may be assisted in picking a
topic for their final diary entry. The students
may be directed towards certain websites for
their research. The students may be provided
sentence frames for their diary entry.
Closing/Student Reflection/Real-life connections:
The students will see how significant the Mexican-American War and the
Treaty of Hidalgo Guadalupe were through all of their research and
assignments that they completed. The teacher will remind the students that
we are making history right now and things constantly change and affect
the way people live and grow up.