Elementary Social Studies Lesson Design Template 30 minutesAmerican Heroes Mackenzie Raatz 1st Grade

I. Lesson Objective(s): A. Goal: Students will be able to identify American heroes that shaped history.B. Objective: Students will investigate similarities and differences between Americans who have

shaped our nation’s history. C. Indiana State Standard

SS.1.2.1 Identify and explain the importance of American heroes, symbols, landmarks, and patriotic songsSS.1.1.4 Identify local people from the past who have shown honesty, courage, and responsibility

E. Assessment Formative— Asking questions at stations, collect finished books from the worksheets

from stationsSummative— Exit Slip

II. Materials Needed Worksheets

o Lined Paper, worksheets that go along with each station

Bag Of History- items included Stapler Crayons/markers/colored pencils Articles prepared for students who finish station activities early Popsicle Sticks Paper plates Construction paper

III. Management A. Time

50-60 minutes (total)o Anticipatory Set: 5 minutes

o (Transition: 1 minute)

o Introducing Stations: 5 minutes

o (Transition to Stations: 1 minute)

o Stations: 6 minutes per station (5 stations)

30 seconds to transition to a different stationo Conclusion: 5 minutes

o Independent Practice: 3 minutes

B. Behavior Levels for noise (0 means no talking, 1 means whisper, etc) Pull an “alert” if not following directions or disrupting the class Go to the “chill chair” with timer if a student will not pay attention or is disrupting others

C. Adaptations: Schedule: Give students a countdown until transition to next station

o If students are not finished think about being flexible a minute or two

Instruction: Provide step-by-step instruction at each table Allow student to pair up with another student if necessary (the majority of the time, they

will be working as a team)IV. Lesson Presentation:

A. IntroductionAnticipatory set

Prepare a “Bag of History” that includes:o A little school house that represents Ruby Bridges

o A “hand” that represents Martin Luther King Jr. speech

o A dollar bill that represents George Washington

o A penny that represents Abraham Lincoln

Pull each item from the bag and share one important fact about each American hero

What do you notice about each item? Did you know that these items actually used to look different years ago?

This little school house years ago was far different than Allen Elementary school. Schools were segregated now they are integrated

Our money at the start of our country used to look very different but now they hold a place of honor for two special presidents

This hand…more of us can raise our hand to freedom because of several men and women- one of which gave a famous speech

“Today, you will be learning about these American Heroes who have helped shape History. We will look for the courageous acts of each individual.”

B. Body/Input/OutputWhat makes an American hero? (Take volunteers and write one word answers on the big notebook paper)

- When I call your team up to me, I will hand you a picture. The picture will be your assigned American Hero. You will quietly walk to Your desk. You will be able to work at each station today at some point.

- Once everyone has taken a picture of an American Hero, I will explain what each station will do & model. After directions, I will ask for questions.

- If you have Martin Luther King Jr. you will take a handout that is provided and write “Your Dream” on the hand. Include a picture of your dream. Dream big like Martin Luther King Jr. did! If you finish your handout, share with your table your dream for your life.

- If you have George Washington, you will create a George Washington with the materials provided and write an interesting fact about his life on the back. If you cannot remember a fact about George Washington, you may use this sheet to help (facts about George Washington provided). Remember facts vs. opinions!

If you have Abraham Lincoln, you will create a log cabin house that represents Abraham Lincolns. You will use pennies as the windows & pick an interesting fact about Abraham Lincoln to write on your creation.

- If you have Ruby Bridges, you will read the Scholastic article and write a sentence about how she was courageous inside the School House.

-You will actively participate in each station. I will be walking around the room to answer any questions you may have. You must keep with you any worksheets you finish with you to put into your folders.

-The team who works well together will be able to pick out of the Treasure Box

Then students will move to their assigned stations.

-Special Learners: I will give clear instructions in the beginning, as well written instructions at each station. I will encourage the team to work together and help one another out. I will also be walking around to answer questions that may come up.

C. Conclusion/closure (Students will be transitioned back to their seats)

o Pass out blank paper that has an American Flag on it

Exit Slip: Write one sentence about how ALL the American Heros were the same in some way under the

American Flag. D. Independent Practice

Staple together the Exit Slip and the worksheets that were used in each station to create a “booklet” of courageous American Heroes

E. Elements of Differentiation I will have the student become an “expert” on that specific American Hero if they are finished early

o I can provide Articles for each American Hero V. University Student’s Analysis of Lesson 

How many students achieved the objective for today? For those who did not, why not?

o The students achieved the objective for today and were able to find similarities between the American Heros. Students were able to find differences between their courageous acts.

What were my strengths, and opportunities for growth?

o Management of time went well for the stations. 1 minute was added on to each station so students can finish their craft. Grow in the area of limiting stations and focusing on less instead of more. Also, grow in independently managing the stations without extra assistance at each station.

How would I alter this lesson?

o Have the stations be a little less time confusing. The Buddy Reading station could have been independently read out loud instead of with a partner. Also, allow students to write on sticky notes if they want.

How would I pace it differently?

o Allow extra time for each station (no more than two minutes).

Were all students actively participating? If not, Why not?

o Students were actively participating. They were not actively participating in the buddy read aloud. They were taking advantage of that time.

How could I better address the needs of diverse students?

o Talk about the diversity in the American heroes.

What adjustments did I make to reach varied learning styles and ability levels?

(Blooms’s Taxonomy, Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences)

o I had papers prepared for my advanced learners who needed to be challenged. My stations were prepared for multiple intelligences.

What strategies have I included that are designed to encourage elementary students’ development of critical thinking and problem solving?

o I had an example prepared at each station for students to look at. The instructions were available for them to follow. They had to use problem solving to follow the instructions and use my examples as guidance.

Did students fully understand how each American Hero shaped history?

o During independent practice, students wrote about the courage from the American Heroes. Students fully understood how American heroes showed courage to shape history.

Did the students work cooperatively at each station? Which station could have gone better?

o The Buddy Reading station could have gone better. Students were not working cooperatively with their buddies at this station. All the rest of the stations the students worked together to help one another.

How were the transitions from each station?

o Transitions were smooth from each station. I had students do something every time they transitioned. This included “rub your belly while moving to the next station, tap your head, model the statue of liberty.” I also had them freeze when I rang the bell and students had to hold their hands up and point to their next station.

 

(Example of a George Washington craft that will be made at the George Washington Station)

Washington Fun Facts: Born on February 22 Known as the “Father of his country” 1st President By the time he was President, he only had 1 tooth He died at age 67 He is on the dollar bill and quarter He was the commander of the Continental Army He lost more battles than he won, but his leadership helped

secure American independence He was the first to sign the Constitution

Abraham Lincoln Fun Facts:

He was the tallest President He was the first president to have a beard He had 4 sons His nickname is “Honest Abe” or “Father Abraham” He was the 16th President He lived in a log cabin He loved to read He helped free slaves He kept important papers in his hat

Station 1: George Washington

Take plate & green construction paper Take cotton balls- George’s hair Take 1 note card

(You may use my example as guidance!) Glue the cotton balls on the side of the hat for hair Draw in eyes, a nose, and a mouth Look at the “Interesting Facts” page and write one that stuck out to

you on your note card Glue note card on the back of George Washington!

Station 2: Abraham Lincoln

Create a log cabin that represents Abraham’s Lincolns house out of Popsicle sticks!

Glue popsicle sticks to construction paper in a square shape Cut out a roof for his house Paste pennies as the windows Pick a fact from the “Interesting facts about Abraham Lincoln” sheet

and write it on your log cabin creation

Station 3: Ruby Bridges

Read the Scholastic article on Ruby Bridges Pick one thing you learned from the article Write it on a note card and paste it on the School House provided

Station 4: Martin Luther King Jr.

Write your dream on the lines of the “My Dream” handout Draw a picture of your dream Share each individual dream with your team if the time allows

Station 5: Reading Buddy read on the carpet You may pick a book out of the basket I provided Mark with a sticky note your favorite part of the book Only books about

o Ruby Bridgeso George Washingtono Abraham Lincolno Martin Luther King Jr.