LESSON PLAN OUTLINE

JMU Elementary Education Program

Kelsey Mercadante
Mrs. Lowery, Paul Munro Elementary School, 1st Grade
Date: Mon. September 28th, 2015. Time: 2:05-2:30

A. TITLE OF LESSON: The Fourth of July!

B. CONTEXT OF LESSON

During this lesson, students will discuss how people celebrate American holidays and
traditions in addition to their own cultural holidays and traditions. People in our
communities are united as Americans by common principles and traditions such as
celebrating Independence Day (4th of July), (also mention pledging allegiance to the flag,
and voting in elections- but students have already learned about voting and students will
learn about the pledge of allegiance in the next unit on Patriotism).

C. UNWRAPPING THE VIRGINIA STANDARDS OF LEARNING

1. Grade Level and Content Area:
First Grade: Social Studies
2. Standard and Indicators:
S.S: SOL 1.12 - The student will recognize that communities in
Virginia
c) include people who have diverse ethnic origins, customs, and
traditions, who make contributions to their communities, and who are
united as Americans by common principles.

Blooms Taxonomy
Levels:
Understand
D. LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Understand

Know

Do

U1: Most Virginians contribute

to their communities and are
united as Americans by
common principles.

K1: People celebrate American

holidays and traditions in
addition to their own cultural
holidays and traditions.
K2: People in our communities
are united as Americans by
common principles and
traditions, such as celebrating
Independence Day (Fourth of

D1: Create fireworks with

crayons or chalk
D2: Tell the class what he or
she does on the fourth of July

July).
K3: Independence Day is on
July 4th and it is Americas
birthday.
K4: Independence Day was
when we got our Independence
from Great Britain.

E. ASSESSING LEARNING
I will assess students through observation and their participation in the activity. Students will
listen to a read aloud. Students will create fireworks. Students will each share what they do
for the fourth of July to celebrate Americas birthday.
F. MATERIALS NEEDED
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Book on 4th of July

White construction paper
Crayons
4th of July song
Children around the world book (since didnt get to it last lesson, if time)

G. PROCEDURE
Prep:

Prepare and collect all materials

Engage:
Tell students that even though we each have our own traditions and customs, we all come
together as Americans and celebrate American holidays and traditions. One holiday we
come together is the 4th of July/Independence Day, which I what we are going to learn
about today. Many Americans celebrate by coming together, viewing fireworks, and
wearing read, white, and blue.
o Why do you think we wear red, white and blue on the 4th of July? (the colors of
our flag)
Read Aloud 4th of July book
o Engage students in discussion throughout book
Implementation:
Recite 4th of July song (Tune 3 Blind Mice)
o Red, White and Blue,
Red, White and Blue
Stars and stripes too
Stars and stripes too.
We celebrate Independence Day

Each July 4th, the American Way

With red, white, and blue

Have student create fireworks on paper using crayons

While students are working on fireworks, circulate and ask students questions regarding
the 4th of July
o Why is it called Independence Day? (We got our independence from Great
Britain)
o What is the 4th of July? (Americas birthday)

Closure:
Have each students orally share what they usually do on the 4 th of July to celebrate.
Show students the children around the world book if time, since didnt get to it last
lesson.