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ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS OF THE UNIT
GUIDING QUESTIONS OF THE LESSON STANDARDS OBJECTIVES RESOURCES |
What are some ways we can be better citizens by learning about our national holidays?
“The Fourth of July Story” By: Alice Dalgliesh |
DAY ONE: History
Lesson Development:
Whole Group Discussion:
Teacher’s script: “More than 200 years ago, America was not a country. America was separated into individual states. These individual states were colonies ruled by Great Britain, a powerful country at the time. The King of Great Britain ruled these colonies. In order to gain freedom from Great Britain, Americans had to fight in a great war called the American Revolutionary War. In this war, many people died but in the end, America gained freedom. America was no longer under the rule of the King of Great Britain! To make sure the freedom was sealed, a group of important leaders, including Thomas Jefferson. Thomas Jefferson wrote an important document called the Declaration of Independence. This document was signed by the important leaders. It was an important document because it declared our freedom from Great Britain!”
What was the Declaration of Independence?
Who was the author of the Declaration of Independence?
Which one of these is a symbol of freedom? (Liberty Bell)
Lesson Development:
Whole Group Discussion:
- Ask the students what they know about the Fourth of July and why it is celebrated each year. Have students share about their personal experiences celebrating the Fourth of July. Explain to students that we will talk about the history behind the fourth of July.
- Start the lesson by asking a series of ‘did you know’ questions:
- Did you know that America was not always a free nation?
- Did you know that we had to fight for our freedom?
- Did you know that we signed an important document to officially say that we are free?
- Did you know that the fourth of July is a celebration about America’s freedom?
Teacher’s script: “More than 200 years ago, America was not a country. America was separated into individual states. These individual states were colonies ruled by Great Britain, a powerful country at the time. The King of Great Britain ruled these colonies. In order to gain freedom from Great Britain, Americans had to fight in a great war called the American Revolutionary War. In this war, many people died but in the end, America gained freedom. America was no longer under the rule of the King of Great Britain! To make sure the freedom was sealed, a group of important leaders, including Thomas Jefferson. Thomas Jefferson wrote an important document called the Declaration of Independence. This document was signed by the important leaders. It was an important document because it declared our freedom from Great Britain!”
- Along with the historical background, include a powerpoint with visuals and vocabulary words. As the story is told, have pictures that go along with it.
- Remind students that in order to honor the freedom of the United States, certain holidays were created. Fourth of July, or Independence Day was the day the declaration of Independence was signed in the year 1776. Ever since then, we have celebrated Independence Day every year. Lead a discussion about symbols that represent freedom in the United States. In the previous lesson about Flag Day, students talked about how the American Flag was a symbol of freedom. Introduce another symbol of freedom: the Liberty Bell.
- Introduce the book, “The Fourth of July Story”. Make predictions about the book by going through a picture walk. While reading the story, pause and ask students questions to help them remember the 1776 story.
- Students will take a short reading quiz. Students will be given a series of reading comprehension questions to see what they remember from the story. These questions will not be taken up for a grade so remind students to try their best, but not to worry if they are incorrect. These quizzes are to show how much the student has learned and how the lessons can be modified to help students learn best. This reading quiz will be multiple choice. The reading comprehension questions will be:
What was the Declaration of Independence?
Who was the author of the Declaration of Independence?
Which one of these is a symbol of freedom? (Liberty Bell)
DAY TWO: Celebrating Indepedence Day
Lesson Development:
Read Aloud:
Lesson Development:
Read Aloud:
- To refresh students memories, read “The Fourth of July Story” again. This time, ask the students to create a class history timeline of the events leading up to America’s Independence. On an anchor chart, fill out a timeline.
- Lead a whole group discussion about the similarities and differences in the celebration on July 4, 1776 and today’s Fourth of July celebrations.
- Give each student a Venn diagram to fill out.
- Write a class example of a similarity and difference in the venn diagram. To fill out the rest of the diagram, put students into groups of 4 to write out other similarities and differences.
- As a whole group, share out ideas of how people celebrate Independence day today! Ask the students: What does it mean to celebrate the Fourth of July? Why is this day important? How can we as citizens display patriotism to our country?
