National Symbols and the History of Our Country

Recommended Grade Level: 1
Related Categories: U.S. Constitution, Constitution, Preamble, We the People, Bill of Rights, Rights, Declaration of Independence, Amendments

General Description

Topic:
Students will learn about the Declaration of Independence, the Boston Tea Party, and the Constitution in a developmentally appropriate manner. The purpose of this unit is to learn about our nation and to build a classroom community by using the ideas of our founding fathers.  For each symbol or document, the class will develop a related symbol or document.  Each activity will connect our country’s symbols to our class symbols. This helps the children to bond as classmates.

Objectives:

  • To teach concepts of the Declaration of Independence
  • To create a Declaration of Independence for first grade teachers
  • To learn about the Constitution
  • To create our Classroom Constitution
  • To explain the purposes of rules in various settings inside and outside of school.
  • To begin to explain the governments are and some of their functions.
  • To learn about how communities work to accomplish common tasks, establish responsibilities, and fulfill roles of authority.

Evaluation:
  • Did the students respect the dignity of all team members?
  • Were all students actively engaged in the lesson?

Materials:
  • When Mr. Jefferson Came to Philadelphia: What I Learned of Freedom, 1776 by Ann Warren Turner
  • We the Kids by David Catrow
  • The Constitution and Constitution Day: A Beginner's Guide by Colman Communications, on Discovery Education
  • Unite or Die: How Thirteen States Became a Nation by Jacqueline Jules and Jef Czekaj

Materials and Documents

Related Links

  • The Constitution and Constitution Day: A Beginner's Guide

    The Constitution & Constitution Day: A Beginner's Guide has been produced for students in grades K-4. Its primary purposes are to help youngsters appreciate the significance of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights and to understand the basics of these historic documents. It also builds awareness of Constitution Day and Constitution Week and the roles they play in contemporary America.

  • Unite or Die: How Thirteen States Became a Nation by Jacqueline Jules and Jef Czekaj

    Readers will follow the children of Forest Lake Elementary School as they trod the boards in a dramatic reenactment of the writing of the United States Constitution. After the Revolution, the United States was anything but united. The states acted like thirteen separate countries, with their own governments, laws, and currencies. It took bravery, smarts, and a lot of compromises to create a workable system of government under the new constitution. 

  • We the Kids, by David Catrow

    A long time ago some smart guys wrote the Preamble to the Constitution. You have probably read it before, but do you know what it means? And did it ever make you laugh? Now it will! Perfect for inspiring discussion in classrooms and around kitchen tables, this fun-filled and cheerfully illustrated look at the Preamble provides an accessible introduction to America's founding ideals for citizens of all ages.

  • When Mr. Jefferson Came to Philadelphia: What I Learned of Freedom,1776, by Ann Warren Turner

    With hauntingly beautiful words and historically accurate paintings, when Mr. Jefferson Came to Philadelphia combines the fictional character of Ned with authentic details about Thomas Jefferson's lodging during the writing of the Declaration of Independence to create a powerfully moving portrait of the spirit that fueled our nation's birth.

Videos and Media

  • Brush up on the Preamble to the Constitution with this patriotic picture book—and have a couple of good laughs while you're at it!

Quote
Overall, I want to thank everyone who presented at this workshop. It’s one of the most valuable I’ve attended in my career. It featured content, materials, and ideas that could be used immediately in the classroom.
- Jonathan L’Ecuyer, Pinkerton Academy
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