Kindergarten+Self+and+Others

Key Vocabulary Essential Question(s) Enduring Understandings Unit Objectives Beginning the Unit As the Unit Continues Toward the End of the Unit ||
 * Suggested Materials


 * Self and Others**
 * Suggested timeframe: September/October and May/June (to show growth over time) and holiday periods**


 * __ Essential Questions: __**
 * How have I changed over time?
 * How am I the same/different from other children?
 * What makes a holiday?
 * Why do we celebrate holidays?
 * __ Enduring Understandings: __**
 * Students will understand that they change physically and academically over time.
 * Students will understand the meaning and history of holidays.
 * Students will understand that children around the world may participate in similar or different holidays.
 * __ Unit Objectives: __**
 * Through a variety of activities, students will identify how and why they have changed academically and physically and notice similarities and differences with others.
 * Students will describe events as they appear in the calendar and discuss the significance of these events in their family and in school.
 * Students will participate in classroom celebrations recognizing both national and international holidays.

__**Beginning the Unit**__ During a "welcome to kindergarten" talk, we can ask the students, "What do you think you will learn this year in kindergarten?" We can explain that the students will grow physically and academically. Many of the children will celebrate their birthday while they are in kindergarten. Students will be measured on a growth chart in September and then see how much they physically grow when they are remeasured in June. The students will be able to compare their growth as an illustrator when they compare their self portraits and the pieces in their writing folders. The holiday aspect of this unit will have a staggered beginning, we will introduce each holiday separately when the time comes. Be sure to keep the enduring understandings in mind as we teach and celebrate the holidays. Most of us will teach the following holidays: Johnny Appleseed's Birthday, Columbus Day, Halloween, Veteran's Day, Election Day (for Presidential Elections), Thanksgiving, various December holidays, New Year's, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Chinese New Year, 100th Day, Valentine's Day, President's Day, President's Birthdays, Groundhog Day, St. Patrick's Day, various Spring holidays, Earth Day, Mother's Day, Cinco de Mayo, Memorial Day, Father's Day. We can use our discretion to decide which holidays to teach.

To launch this unit you will have the students do the beginning of the year projects (self-portrait, growth chart, etc.) and file for the end of the year disucssion. The holidays will be launched monthly.
 * __Launching a unit__**


 * __Mini-lesson ideas/suggestions__**
 * Sensitivity training from Special Education Team to discuss likenesses and differences between students
 * holiday celebrations/discussions/activities
 * Ongoing positive reinforcement and recognition of students' academic growth

A student and his/her partner will share three likenesses and three differences between then and will record these likenesses and differences (written or dictated). Showcase the September and June self-portraits along with any photos and academic samples to show growth over time.
 * __End of the Year Benchmark Assessment__**