Grade 1 Social Studies: Homes Around the World Lesson plan

Lesson Overview:

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In this Social Studies lesson plan we focus on introducing students to the diversity of global cultures through a common concept: home! 

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The objective is to simply provide a foundational understanding of world cultures, traditions, and environmental contexts using multimedia resources, interactive maps, and global stories of kids around the world in first-person.

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We will visit several places around the world, and will make friends that will show us around the home 🏠.

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If you want to make this lesson interactive with the ability to send interactive resources to your students directly through your LMS, get started with Touchable Earth free today.

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Lesson Objectives & Curriculum Alignment

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• United States (Common Core & State Standards): Emphasizes comprehension of cultural diversity, community roles, and personal identity development within Social Studies and English Language Arts frameworks.
• United Kingdom (National Curriculum): Supports understanding of global cultures within Geography and PSHE (Personal, Social, Health, and Economic education), alongside community and self-awareness in Early Years Foundation Stage settings.
• Canada (Provincial Curricula): Focuses on social responsibility and personal development from an early age, often integrated into subjects like Social Studies and Health and Life Skills.
• Australia (Australian Curriculum): Includes exploration of community roles, personal competencies, and understanding relationships as part of Health and Physical Education, as well as Humanities and Social Sciences.
• New Zealand (New Zealand Curriculum): Promotes cultural understanding and personal identity within Social Sciences and Health and Physical Education, emphasizing early development of self-management and relational skills

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Children Around the World

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Katrina will start off showing us her room at the Marshall Islands, an incredible place that is in the Pacific Ocean.

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Next, Tiberio shows us his room in Romania

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Nikia lives in South Africa, a country at the very tip of Africa. Can you find Africa on a map? Nikia shows us her favorite dolls in her room

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Next, we are heading east to New Delhi to visit Aadit who is going to show us around his room

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Finally, we will visit Zoljargal in Mongolia who is playing in the family room with his brother and sister. Take note of the beautiful embroidery hanging from the walls! 

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Activities

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Each social studies lesson comes complete with interactive activities that you add directly to your LMS, but if you would rather keep this lesson offline, keep reading to find out unique activity ideas for 1st graders to spark their curiosity and imagination!

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Discussion Prompts

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Option 1: What was the most interesting home you saw today, and what made it so special?"

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Option 2: How are the homes we saw similar to or different from your home? What do you think would be fun about living in each of them?"

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Option 3: Why do you think homes look different in different places? How does the weather or the surroundings affect how homes are built?"

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Storytelling Prompts

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Pretend you are giving a tour of your own home to a friend from another country. What would you show them and tell them about?

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‍Start with “Welcome to my home! First, I’ll show you my favorite room where I play and read, and then we can see where I help my family with...”

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Blended Activities/Projects Ideas:

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1. Home Comparison Chart
   
   Create a chart comparing your home with one you learned about today. Draw pictures or use magazine cutouts to show different rooms or features like windows and doors. Present your chart to the class and explain one thing you like about each home.
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2. Local Architecture Walk:
   
   Go on a walk around your neighborhood with a parent or guardian and take pictures of different types of homes you see. Make a small presentation to share with the class about the styles and materials you noticed, and guess why they might be used based on what we learned about homes around the world.
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3. My Ideal Room:
   
   Design your ideal room on paper using crayons, markers, or any other materials you like. Think about the types of homes we saw today and include features that you think would be perfect for your lifestyle. Share your design with the class and describe why you chose those particular features.
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