Unit Title Unit Author(s) Subject Area Lesson Focus Standards

America the Beautiful: How do we celebrate and honor our country? Dorothy Sisk Date Day 4 Social Studies Grade K Happy Independence Day! What do we celebrate on the 4th of July? Social Studies: K.1 The student will recognize that history describes events and people of other times and places by b) identifying the people and events honored by the holidays of Thanksgiving Day; Martin Luther King, Jr., Day; Presidents Day; and Independence Day (Fourth of July). Language Arts: shared writing Objectives SWBAT explain what we celebrate on the 4th of July. SWBAT create their own declaration of independence from kindergarten Materials Books: Apple Pie 4th of July by Janet Wong, The Declaration of Independence from A to Z by Catherine Osornio Lined chart paper Markers, pointer Assessment Checklist: can student explain what we celebrate on the 4th of July? Differentiation MI: Intrapersonal: student reflection on what they liked about kindergarten and goal-setting for first grade

Teacher Does We have learned about several different ways we honor our country. We have also learned about different people we honor and celebrate. Ask student to list some of the things weve learned about. Ask students some other ways we celebrate our country. Read aloud: Read aloud: Apple Pie 4th of July by Janet Wong, The Declaration of Independence from A to Z by Catherine Osornio. Read an excerpt from the declaration. Ask students: What is independence? What day is Independence Day? Do you want to be independent? Why?

Students Do

Link 5 minutes

Engage and educate 15 minutes

Students will listen to the stories. Students will think-pair-share to answer questions about the readings and questions about independence.

Active learning 30 minutes

Shared Writing: On the 4th of July in 1776 people in the American colonies got together to write their declaration of independence from England. Its the end of the year and you are ready for first grade. Today, we will get to write our own declaration of independence from kindergarten. First, lets think about the things we liked about kindergarten. Then well think about what we want to happen in first grade. Finally, well write about what it feels like to almost be a kindergarten graduate and first grader. After students have generated ideas, come to a consensus on what will be written. Dictate the sentence, count the number of words, and draw lines for each word. Student will then do the writing with teacher scaffolding. Read what the class has written. Since this is a declaration, each student has to agree to it. To show agreement, each student will sign his or her signature.

Students will talk in small groups (3-4 people) about each prompt. Students will then share whole group what they discussed and will participate in writing down the ideas. Students will write words using their sounds and use correct punctuation, capital letters, and spaces. If students get restless/wiggly, do a yoga or stretching interlude.

Students will all come up and sign their name at the bottom of the declaration.

Reflect

Now and then

Tomorrow we will put everything we learned together and have a class celebration of the United States. Refer back to the declaration on the last day of school. Give a copy to each child to take home to look back on next year.