SS2

Grade 2, Social Studies
Std 9: Describe rights and responsibilities of citizens of the United States.
                 • Explaining the voting process and the use of results
                 • Identifying acts of patriotism and symbols of the United States
                 • Describing the responsibilities of state, national, and world leaders

Lesson Plans:

Who Pays for City Hall?
Students will discover that city governments provide goods and services by collecting taxes from citizens.

Making and Carrying Out Laws
Students will participate in a simulation that introduces them to the institutions and practices of the United States government.

Electing a President A lesson plan for a cooperative activity in which students brainstorm qualities they would look for in a president, then create a mobile using these qualities.

A Class Citizenship Tree The purpose of this lesson plan is to present to elementary students the characteristics that define a socially healthy citizen.

Alabama Patriotic Symbols This lesson plan covers five state symbols associated with the State of Alabama. This lesson will help the students learn interesting facts about each of the symbols and explore more state symbols on the Internet.

Hooray for the Red, White, and Blue!
Scroll down to History and Geography, Presidents Past and Present. In this series of lessons students will learn about the origins of our country, study historical figures, and become acquainted with symbols that represent our country.

Presidents and Symbols of the Past, Present, and Future
Scroll down to History and Geography, Presidents Past and Present. A series of strategies and activities for learning about past presidents, their significance to the nation's history, and symbols of the U.S.A.

Election Results Map Students analyze vote counts from each state to determine which candidate got the most popular votes in each state. They create maps with a color key to show the popular vote results.

Resources:

Ben's Guide to United States Government for Kids: Good information and links. (Good for Smartboard K-5)

President for a Day: PBS Kids Democracy Project: This interactive site will guide you through a president's day.

Presidential Printables: Links to activities about Presidents Bush, Lincoln, Washington, and Kennedy.

White House for Kids: Interactive website from the White House! Great for K-5. Good for Smartboard.

The American Government: This program begins with an introduction of how America began - Columbus's voyage to the New World, the establishment of the 13 colonies, and the colonies' struggle for independence - and then focuses on the make up of the American government. Short video from United Streaming.

Understanding American Values: This program explores the American values of life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness, and patriotism in the U.S. and other countries. Short video from United Streaming.

U. S. Symbols: The symbols of our country help us honor our heritage and think of the U.S. as a country of hope, freedom, and friendship. Short video from United Streaming.

What It Means to be an American Citizen: This program teaches what a citizen is and how we become citizens of the United States. The importance of the privilege to vote is addressed, as well as the privilege to obtain an education. Short video from United Streaming.

Old Glory: The story of the American flag is told, from Revolutionary War days to the present. Short video from United Streaming.

American Heroes and Heroines: The life and times of Abraham Lincoln. Short video from United Streaming.

American Heroes and Heroines: The life and times of George Washington. Short video from United Streaming.

Suggestions for English Language Learners:
(E/B=Entering/Beginning, D=Developing, E=Expanding)

(E/B) Students draw a patriotic symbol.
(E/B) Students use a "flow map" or visual timeline to sequence events.
(E/B) Students cut pictures from newspapers/magazines to create a picture timeline of an election.
(E/B) Students describe a patriotic symbol from a picture or drawing.
(D) Students compare/contrast two patriotic symbols using a graphic organizer.
(D) Students explain orally or in writing what a patriotic symbol means from a picture or drawing.
(D) Students brainstorm and create a list of government leaders in the community, including those that are elected and appointed. Place in a "T-chart".
(D) Students describe the roles of government leaders.
(E) Students write a short report using information gained from interviewing a local official.
(E/B, D, E) Students use computers to search for more facts on state, national and world leaders.
(E/B, D, E) Students vote on current classroom rules and make suggestions for others.

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