Social Studies - 1st Grade
Standard 2 Objective 3
After learning about a specific national symbol, each student will create one section of a classroom quilt that will be tied together.
The Pledge of Allegiance (Scholastic)
Red, White, and Blue by Susan Canizares and Betsy Chessen
America by W. Nikola-Lisa
The Statue of Liberty by Lucille Recht Penner
Yankee Doodle by Gary Chalk
Five-Pointed Star in One Snip - from the Besty Ross Homepage
This activity is designed to be used after a series of lessons on state and national symbols. Students should be exposed to various patriotic symbols, and their meanings and significance prior to this lesson. Students could be exposed to state and national symbols and patriotic traditions during shared reading time, guided reading, and small group activities. Students could also be assigned a specific symbol and research it using a variety of resources such as the library, computer, teachers, parents, and interviews.
Intended Learning Outcomes
2. Demonstrate social skills and ethical responsibilities.
3. Demonstrate responsible emotional and cognitive behaviors.
Process Skills
Symbolization
Invitation to Learn
Show a quilt or a picture of a quilt. "What is a quilt? Why is it different
or special from a plain piece of fabric?" Guide the discussion to include
how a quilt is made up of many different pieces of material sewn together to
make one big beautiful blanket. Explain that this is very much like America.
America is made up of many wonderful people who work together to make this country
great. Today we are going to make a quilt all about America and use the things
we have already learned about. Each of you are going to make a part of the quilt
and then we will tie it together. This will symbolize how we all
need to work together to make our country the best place it can be.
Instructional Procedures
Possible Extensions/Adaptations
Quilts can be used to teach a variety of subjects, including math and literature.
Quilts help teach patterns, measurement, calculations, and other math skills.
Quilts can also be used to instruct students on different cultures and be used
as an innovative way of telling a story.
Family Connections
Each student could focus on a specific state or national symbol and compile
a poster about that item at home. Students could bring their posters to school
and the class could spend a day having a "Freedom Fair."
As students complete this activity you will find many ways to assess them. They can be assessed by the things they write and draw, and by the ways they present and explain their quilt pieces to the class.