Social Studies - 1st Grade (2024)
Lesson Plans

Strand 1: History

Students will examine important events and historical figures in the community, state, and nation.

Compelling Questions:

• Why is it important to ask questions about and remember events from the past?
• Why do people often see things from different points of view, and how do we show respect for different points of view or opinions?
• How are our personal histories shaped by our families and communities?
• What are primary sources, and why is it important to use them?
• Whom do we honor in United States history?

Standard 1.1.3

Use primary sources (for example, artifacts and documents such as photographs, newspapers, speakers, stories, songs) to make inferences about why certain events in history are remembered.

• "America the Beautiful": Using Music and Art to Develop Vocabulary
  his lesson uses music and art in a vocabulary study of unfamiliar words from the song "America the Beautiful," increasing students' vocabulary while also increasing their knowledge of U.S. geography. A discussion to activate students' prior knowledge about sights and scenery throughout the United States is followed by a read-aloud and introduction to the song "America the Beautiful," which is then sung in each session of the lesson. Students learn the meanings of the song's words through shared reading and the use of context clues and images. Students then use photographs, illustrations, and descriptive language to create a mural shaped like the United States. Finally, through pictures and words, students reflect on what they have learned. This lesson is appropriate and adaptable for any patriotic event or holiday, and many of the vocabulary strategies are adaptable for other texts or word lists, as well.
• American Founders and Constitution Month Constitutional Fitness
  This is an optional program for use by Utah LEAs, schools, and teachers to observe Founders Month and Consitution Day. It aligns with and supports mastery of many Utah Core Social Studies Standards in grade K-5. Standards alignment is provided, along with resources for possible use.
• Cottontail Tames Wood, Water, and Rock
  This lesson shares a Ute tale with students to help them to use illustrations to help clarify text details and sequence. The story is then used to help engage students in a discussion on bullying, how actions have consequences and what the characteristics are of a good friend.Background information gives teachers resources to help their students learn more about the Ute Indian Tribe of the Uintah and Ouray Reservation. The lesson is an integrated English Language Arts, Social Studies, Health lesson. 
• Introduction to Inquiry Mysteries, Grades K-1
  This resource is a Private i History Detectives unit from iCivics, consisting of two lessons. It is Grade K/1. It introduces two important pieces of social studies learning: inquiry and primary sources. Description: Students have lots of questions! Engage their curiosity through inquiry-based learning. In this unit, students will learn to examine images of primary source artifacts. They will have the opportunity to provide evidence and explain their thinking as they look closely primary source images.
• Time Capsule
  Students will learn to compare and contrast changes over time.
• Why Buzzard Is a Loner
  This lesson utilizes the Ute Indian Tribe of the Uintah and Ouray Reservation (UIT) tale, ?Why Buzzard Is a Loner? to enhance comprehension skills, provide an introduction to the importance of personal hygiene and drama. Although some Native American Indian stories can only be told during the winter time, this story can be told any time of the year. The tale will be read aloud to the students who will then dramatize the story as it is read again. Then students will have a presentation from a health practitioner, school counselor or the school nurse on healthy teeth maintenance (i.e., brushing, flossing, rinsing, etc.)Extensions include learning more about birds in Utah and lessons that give more information about the Ute people. The cultural note states, ?Just as the birds in this story held a council meeting to decide how to deal with Buzzard. Ute people, to this day, have council meetings to discuss problems and solutions for their people. At these meetings, everyone has the right to express his or her opinion and be heard and listened to.? 

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http://www.uen.org - in partnership with Utah State Board of Education (USBE) and Utah System of Higher Education (USHE).  Send questions or comments to USBE Specialist - Robert  Austin and see the Social Studies website. For general questions about Utah's Core Standards contact the Director - Jennifer  Throndsen.

These materials have been produced by and for the teachers of the State of Utah. Copies of these materials may be freely reproduced for teacher and classroom use. When distributing these materials, credit should be given to Utah State Board of Education. These materials may not be published, in whole or part, or in any other format, without the written permission of the Utah State Board of Education, 250 East 500 South, PO Box 144200, Salt Lake City, Utah 84114-4200.