Let's Hear it for George!

Grade Levels:  1-4

Subjects: Social Studies, Language Arts,  Developmental Guidance, Math

Learner Outcomes:
This unit will help students to understand that:

•       individuals do and should make a difference
•       role models help us to reflect on the qualities and actions we want to exhibit
•       people's actions are influenced by time and place
•       individuals are influenced by the groups and institutions around them
•       our perception of people vary with time, information and world view

 

Materials:
index cards (1 per child)
coins
white wig

Technology Tools/courseware:
Internet access
Enact

Teacher notes
Refer to the "hero" sandwich (character traits) during the lesson
Each child should have an Acceptable User Policy form on file;  those who don't, will need to research via the encyclopedia or other reference material.

Lesson Objectives:
1.  Recognize famous Americans that can be considered heroes/sheroes.
2.  Identify contributions of American heroes.

Procedures:
1.  Have each child write one fact they believe to be true about George Washington.  Put all the facts in a powdered wig.  Pull out one at a time and determine if true or false.
2.  Provide a biographical sketch of  George Washington
3.  Take a virtual tour of  Mount Vernon
4.  Journal Activity:  Imagine with what kind of toy children in George Washington's time would have played.  Write and draw about it.

Modifications:
1.  Use the web sites as directed versus independent activities
2.  Use  George Washington Picture Gallery  as an alternative to biographical sketch

Enrichment Activities
1.  Test your knowledge of other famous Americans
2.   Find George - An Internet Treasure Hunt
2.  Download reading comprehension activities   George Washington
3.  Primary children - Money focus:  Have the children identify George Washington on the quarter.  Have them show other combination of coins that equal $.25.  Look for other famous Americans on coins. Play  Money talk    or  Money Cents
4.  Intermediate children -
     Language focus:   Students will categorize key words and phrases related to George Washington as to people, places, things.  Discuss their significance. Noun handout

Evaluation/Assessment
1.  Completion of language arts (nouns) sheet
2.  Completion of famous American quiz
3.  Demonstrate knowledge of coins

West Virginia Instructional Goals and Objectives
Social Studies
  History
  1.22, 2.23, 2.24, 3.37, 3.5, 3.7, 4.35
  Civics
  1.1, 1.4, 2.3, 3.5, 3.7
  Economics
  1.8
Language
  1.92, 1.104
Writing
   1.70, 1.73, 1.74, 2.77, 2.78, 2.79, 3.43, 3.44, 3.45, 3.46, 4.51, 4.52, 4.53, 4.54, 4.55
Math
 Measurement
  1.39, 1.40, 1.41, 2.46, 2.47

National Standards

References:
Internet Activities for Social Studies, Teacher Created Materials, Inc.
The Best of Internet Activities, Teacher Created Materials, Inc.
The Core Knowledge Sequence,  Core Knowledge Foundation
Hooray for Heroes!, Dennis Deneberg and Lorraine Roscoe
Heroes,  Teacher Created Materials, Inc.

Created by:
 Donna Peduto
 Debbie Wilson
 Cathie DeVito
 East Dale School

 

Lesson A  Everybody Needs a Hero

Lesson B  Master of Invention

Lesson C  Let's Hear if for George

Lesson D An Extraordinary Woman

Lesson E A Parade of Heroes