This is my world …This is my world …A Unit of Thematic Curriculum A Unit of Thematic Curriculum

for Social Studiesfor Social Studies

By Christina A. ParsonsBy Christina A. ParsonsFall 2006Fall 2006

Overview Overview Children in first grade are learning to Children in first grade are learning to explore the world around them in more explore the world around them in more detail. This unit will introduce the first detail. This unit will introduce the first grade student to his or her community by grade student to his or her community by first beginning with the self. From there, first beginning with the self. From there, we will explore how the family, school, we will explore how the family, school, neighborhood, city, country, and other neighborhood, city, country, and other people make up each child’s world. people make up each child’s world. Finally, each project from the unit will be Finally, each project from the unit will be assembled into a book and shared with assembled into a book and shared with family, friends, and teachers for the family, friends, and teachers for the culminating experience. culminating experience.

Big Ideas & Inquiry Questions Big Ideas & Inquiry Questions Big IdeasBig Ideas

Everything around you makes you Everything around you makes you who you are. who you are.

Inquiry QuestionsInquiry Questions

Who am I? Where am I? What Who am I? Where am I? What connects me to the world? How does connects me to the world? How does “where you are” make you “who you “where you are” make you “who you are?”are?”

Lesson 1: Me …Lesson 1: Me …

Lesson 2: My family …Lesson 2: My family …

Lesson 2: My family …Lesson 2: My family …

Lesson 3: My classroom family …Lesson 3: My classroom family …

Lesson 4: My neighborhood …Lesson 4: My neighborhood …

Lesson 5: My CityLesson 5: My City

Lesson 8: Me again …Lesson 8: Me again …

Lesson 9: This is my world …Lesson 9: This is my world …

Culminating ExperienceCulminating Experience

This is My World: The culminating This is My World: The culminating experience will include assembly of a experience will include assembly of a “This is My World” booklet, which will “This is My World” booklet, which will contain every smaller activity contain every smaller activity accomplished during the unit. A sharing accomplished during the unit. A sharing event is planned for families, other event is planned for families, other classes, and school administration on the classes, and school administration on the final afternoon of the unit. At this time, final afternoon of the unit. At this time, students will share their work and discuss students will share their work and discuss their community.their community.

Text SetsText SetsThe United States of AmericaThe United States of America

This Land is Your Land This Land is Your Land by Woodie Guthrie by Woodie Guthrie America Is …America Is … by LouiseBorden by LouiseBorden

My Family and MeMy Family and MeWhat a Family What a Family by Rachel Isadora by Rachel Isadora Where do I Live?Where do I Live? by Neil Chesnow by Neil Chesnow

The School CommunityThe School CommunityA Fine, Fine SchoolA Fine, Fine School by Sharon Creech by Sharon Creech

Hooway for Wodney WatHooway for Wodney Wat by Helen Lester by Helen Lester The NeighborhoodThe Neighborhood

Be My NeighborBe My Neighbor by Fred Rogers by Fred RogersCassie’s Word Quilt Cassie’s Word Quilt by Faith Ringgold by Faith Ringgold

City SignsCity Signs by Zoran Milich by Zoran MilichOne Afternoon One Afternoon by Yumi Heoby Yumi Heo

Something Beautiful Something Beautiful by Sharon Dennis Wyethby Sharon Dennis WyethThis is the House that Jack BuiltThis is the House that Jack Built by Simms Taback by Simms Taback

UptownUptown by Bryan Collier by Bryan CollierCommunity HelpersCommunity Helpers

Emergency!Emergency! by Gail Gibbons by Gail GibbonsMy Teacher’s Secret LifeMy Teacher’s Secret Life by Stephen Krensky by Stephen KrenskyOfficer Buckle and GloriaOfficer Buckle and Gloria by Peggy Rathmann by Peggy RathmannThe Jolly PostmanThe Jolly Postman by Janet and Allan Ahlberg by Janet and Allan Ahlberg

Trashy TownTrashy Town by Andrea Zimmerman by Andrea ZimmermanWhat Do You Want to BeWhat Do You Want to Be by Ron Ellsworth by Ron Ellsworth

DiversityDiversityIt’s Okay to Be DifferentIt’s Okay to Be Different by Todd Parr by Todd Parr

PeoplePeople by Peter Spier by Peter SpierThe Peace BookThe Peace Book by Todd Parr by Todd Parr

We All Sing with the Same VoiceWe All Sing with the Same Voice by J. Phillip Miller and Sheppard M. Greene by J. Phillip Miller and Sheppard M. GreeneWe Are A RainbowWe Are A Rainbow by Nancy Maria Grande Tabor by Nancy Maria Grande Tabor

Whoever You AreWhoever You Are by Mem Fox by Mem Fox