Unit Plan: Fourth of July and American symbols

Lesson Plan for: Tuesday

Grade: 1
st
grade
Social Studies Strand: Civics
Submitted By: Katheryn Brown
EDEL 453: Teaching Elementary School Social Science
Nevada State College spring 2014
Instructor: Karen Powell



B. Summary of the Lesson Plan:
This social studies lesson is designed for 1
st
grade students; to teach students what a patriotic
holiday is, what symbols represent that holiday, and what American symbols are.
This lesson uses the Houghton Mifflin Social Studies textbook School and Family (p. 258 - 261).



Lesson Plan #4 - Civics submitted by: Katheryn Brown

Nevada State College EDEL 453 - Spring 2014 Karen Powell- Instructor page 2
C. Basic Information:
Grade Level: first grade
Time to Complete this Lesson: 50 minutes
Groupings:
Whole group discussions, questions and answers
Whole group reading, pages 258 - 261
I ndependent, create an American symbol mobile
I ndependent for assessment, worksheet

D. Materials:
Houghton Mifflin Social Studies: School and Family, Grade 1,
Teacher's Edition; Core Lesson 2; pages 258, 259


Mobile maker worksheet

1 worksheet per student
(http://flippingforfirstgrade.blogspot.com)





supplies from 5 supply drawers


E.
Lesson Plan #4 - Civics submitted by: Katheryn Brown

Nevada State College EDEL 453 - Spring 2014 Karen Powell- Instructor page 3
F. Objectives:
o NV State Social Studies Standards
C13.1.5 Name a traditional U.S. patriotic activity, holiday, or symbol
o Student-Friendly Standards
C13.1.5 I will learn about American symbols and the Fourth of July holiday
Key Themes:
Making observations
Identifying symbols
Questioning

G. Vocabulary
Symbol: a picture, place, or thing that stands for something else
Honor: show respect for someone or something
H. Procedure:
1. Refer to notes on Core Lesson 2, Teachers Edition, pages 258 - 261

Explain:
a) Why the boy is dressed like Uncle Sam in the picture on page 259.

Review:
a) Facts about the American Flag

Ask:
a) Why do people in our country say the Pledge of Allegiance?
b) Why is it important that we stand when we say the Pledge of Allegiance?
c) Why do we celebrate the Fourth of July?
d) What are symbols of freedom?



Introduce the key vocabulary words:
1) Symbol 2) Honor



Lesson Plan #4 - Civics submitted by: Katheryn Brown

Nevada State College EDEL 453 - Spring 2014 Karen Powell- Instructor page 4
Explain:
Why we celebrate the Fourth of July.
Different symbols that represent freedom.

Group discussion asking the students to describe the United States flag and what each color
represents.

Review:
a) What each colored stripe on the United States flag represents and why there are 50 stars.
b) United States of Americans birthday


Create:
Each student will make an American symbol mobile at their won desk.

I. Assessment:
What will you use to measure student understanding?
Independent assessment:
Each student will complete the American symbols worksheet by adding one more fact to each
category listed.

Explain how you will know students understand the concepts from the lesson.
Using the worksheet will show if the students are able to identify at least four different
American symbols.
J. Closure:
Students will share their American symbols mobiles with two guests: Mrs. Thurman the
principal and Mrs. Coal the school librarian. (share and care)
K. Reflection:
1. Which part of the lesson do you think will be the easiest for you to teach?
The easiest part of this lesson will be the share and care session the students will
participate in with Mrs. Thurman and Mrs. Coal.
2. Which part will be most challenging for you to teach?
The most challenging part of this lesson will be explaining what freedom means and
explaining different symbols that the students havent actually seen.


Lesson Plan #4 - Civics submitted by: Katheryn Brown

Nevada State College EDEL 453 - Spring 2014 Karen Powell- Instructor page 5
3. How will you follow up or extend this lesson?
This week, we will visit the school library, check out books, and continue the lesson next
week.
4. What can you do for students who dont grasp the concepts?
I will extend the study to include realistic visuals of our American flag, children standing
while pledging to the flag, and interactive activities about American symbols found online.
5. Which part of the lesson, if any, do you think might need to change?
The Houghton Mifflin Social Studies: School and Family, Grade 1 gives an excellent lesson
plan on first grade understanding of American symbols. I wont change anything on todays
lesson.
6. When you were writing this lesson plan, what was the most difficult part?
The most difficult part of writing this lesson was making sure my young students will
understand what America is and how we have symbols to represent different ideas. I can
extend this lesson with strategies if needed.








Lesson Plan #4 - Civics submitted by: Katheryn Brown

Nevada State College EDEL 453 - Spring 2014 Karen Powell- Instructor page 6