First Grade
LESSONS
In this lesson, students examine the Pledge of Allegiance by examining the words to the pledge and a primary source photo. Students also have the opportunity to work with rebus cards to look at the pledge. Lesson Link
Following a reading of A Picture Book of George Washington by David A. Adler, students will complete a George Washington Puzzle/Crack the Code activity.
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Utilizing George Washington’s Teeth by Deborah Chandra and Madeline Comora, students will identify the contributions of George Washington and place events in chronological order.
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Using A Picture Book of Martin Luther King,Jr. by David A. Adler, students will explain his dedication to promoting justice, fairness, and equality through peaceful means. Following the reading and group and class discussions, students will be given an opportunity to provide an example of how they can make the world a better place.
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This lesson begins with students putting together a puzzle of Mount Rushmore as a lead into discussing Presidents’ Day. A further look at this day is provided by reading President’ Day by Annie Rockwell which gives students an opportunity to discuss the lives of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln.
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Following the reading of a children’s book about Martin Luther King, Jr., students contemplate what they learned and then use pictures, symbols, or words to record their thoughts on their part of a placemat. Students compare their thoughts with members of their group and find their common responses.
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Using the children’s book, We Gather Together… Now Please Get Lost! by Diane deGroat, students will compare the lives of the Pilgrims in Pilgrim Town to their lives.
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Using chronological reasoning, students will examine how technology has changed over the years and how it affects our daily lives. Obtaining information from visuals will help sharpen their critical thinking skills. Lesson link
Using If I Were President by Catherine Stier students identify some of the roles of President of the United States. The lesson concludes with the students completing sentence stems about the characteristics they most want in a President.
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While reading Goldilocks and the Three Bears by James Marshall, students will evaluate Goldilocks decision making by raising a Decision Time sign every time Goldilocks does not make a good decision. This lesson provides an opportunity to discuss how rules provide order, security, and safety.
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Examining the poem Humpty Dumpty allows teachers to engage their students in examining what Humpty did and how he might have done things differently. This allows for discussion on the need for rules and following rules. Suggestions for the development of class rules is also included.
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Using Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse by Kevin Henkes, students will identify the characteristics of authority figures. Using learning stations, students will identify which figures operate in the home, school, and community.
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In this lesson, students will examine the significance of the Statue of Liberty and demonstrate an understanding of the concept of “freedom” through the creation of a poster.
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Students will learn more about Eleanor Roosevelt as they examine good citizenship qualities that she possessed and demonstrate their learning by designing a trophy for her. The lesson includes the I was the First. Vote for Me!
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Students will identify the characteristics of good citizenship in David Goes to School by David Shannon. Students will demonstrate their learning by identifying how they can be a good citizen.
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After an overview of the history of the Liberty Bell, students will evaluate a request to allow the bell to go on a cross-country trip from Philadelphia to California. This is a great lesson to discuss a national patriotic symbol and could be used as a Celebrate Freedom lesson. Lesson link Liberty Bell Powerpoint
Students examine the characteristics of truthfulness, justice, equality, and respect for others as they listen to fables. Following the lesson, students are given the opportunity to give a Good Citizen Ribbon to a classmate. Lesson link Learning About Citizenship Through Fables PowerPoint
Utilizing game pockets, students will select cards to answer questions posed by the teacher regarding important state and national patriotic symbols. Cards are provided as part of this lesson.
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This lesson has students examining the importance of the U.S. flag and how it should be treated. Students use sorting cards to determine how the flag should be treated and how it should not be treated.
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RESOURCES
Law Unit
Law Unit
