Main Core Tie
Social Studies - 2nd Grade
Standard 1
Summary
After reading the story "Frederick", by Leo Lionni and completing some class activities, students will learn that everyone has a responsibility to contribute and that each person's contribution is important.
Materials
- Frederick, by Leo Lionni
- Previously prepared "hibernation" area
(Create a small space in
your room that is barely
large enough to hold
your class. You can use
desks, sheets or
blankets, large
cardboard boxes, etc.)
- 9" x 12" sheet of white
art paper for each
student
- Large chart paper
- Pencils and crayons
- Season Acrostic
Poem worksheets (pdf)
Additional Resources
- Frederick, by Leo Lionni; ISBN 0-440-84093-7
Background for Teachers
While Frederick's family collects nuts and berries for winter,
Frederick gathers sunshine, colors, and ideas. When the family's stored
food runs out, Frederick is able to contribute to his family in his own
unique way. We learn that everyone has a responsibility to contribute and
that each person's contribution is important.
Intended Learning Outcomes
2. Develop social skills and ethical responsibility.
6. Communicate clearly in oral, artistic, written, and nonverbal form.
Instructional Procedures
Invitation to Learn
Talk about the various groups in which students in your class belong
(e.g., families, sports teams, clubs, etc.). Ask several students to choose a
group they belong to and tell how they help that particular group (e.g,
doing chores, reading to younger brother, babysitting, kicking the ball
during the game, etc.).
Instructional Procedures
Day 1
- Show the students the book, Frederick. Tell them that it is a story
about Frederick, a little mouse, and his family.
Let students predict ways Frederick might help his family, such as
gathering food for winter or preparing a winter home.
- Read the book Frederick to your students.
- Discuss the contributions of Frederick and his brothers and sisters
to their family. Examine the illustrations to find ways the mice
worked together in the story. Did you think Frederick was
working when he said he was? Explain. How was Frederick’s
contribution differs from that of his brothers and sisters?
- Move the class into a previously prepared “hibernation” space
in your classroom. Crowd the entire class into this area. Ask
the children to pretend that they are Frederick and his family.
Tell them that they are going to spend the whole winter here.
What will each one do to pass the time? What can you do to
help others feel happy?
- Are you good at different things than your friends or family?
- What are some of the ways students in the classroom work
together?
- Give each student a piece of white art paper. Ask them to draw
a picture of themselves as a member of their class. In their
picture they should show one way they can contribute to make
their class a better place.
- Let students share their illustrations with the class.
Day 2
- Review the concepts from day one with the class.
- Tell students that they are going to work in cooperative groups
(approximately three students per group). Together they will be
writing name poems (acrostic poems) about the various seasons of
the year. As a group, they need to pick two seasons they would
like to write about and illustrate. Remind them of how important
it is that every member of the group contributes to the completion
of the assigned tasks. They will be evaluated on how well they
contribute their own special gift or talent.
Acrostic poem
Write descriptive words or phrases beginning with the
accompanying letter from the name of a season (i.e., spring,
summer, autumn, winter) using the Season Acrostic Poem worksheets.
For example: Falling leaves
All over the ground
Leaves of every color
Lovely sight to see
- Have each group complete the project on a large sheet of chart
paper.
- Let each group share their poems. Have each member of the
group tell how s/he personally contributed.
Extensions
- Create torn paper murals depicting the fall or winter. Before you
start, discuss the objects you want to include and their colors.
Share responsibility in your group for tearing, arranging, and
pasting.
- Journal Writing—Mice and other animals prepare for winter by
collecting food. How do people prepare for winter?
Assessment Plan
- Students will be evaluated on their class participation during the
discussions and on how well they worked on a cooperatively
assigned task.
Created: 09/24/2004
Updated: 02/05/2018
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