Understanding Families

Grade Level

1st Grade (Aligned with US Common Core Standards)

Curriculum Area

Social Studies – Concepts of Self, Family, and Community

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Lesson Objective

By the end of the lesson, students will be able to:

• Identify the general characteristics of a family.
• Understand that families come in different shapes and sizes.
• Name members of a family and describe their roles within a family unit.

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5E Model Lesson Plan

Engage (10 minutes)

Objective: Hook the students' attention and spark curiosity about families.

1. Begin with a warm and relatable question: “Who here lives with someone they love? Raise your hand!”
2. Show the class a slideshow of diverse family photos (single parents, grandparents raising kids, foster families, etc.).
3. Say: “These are all different families. No matter how they look, all families have something in common—they care for each other. Does your family do things that show they care for you? Share one example!” Encourage popcorn-style sharing or use a talking stick for turn-taking.

Materials Needed:

• Interactive whiteboard or printed images of family types.

4Cs Highlighted: Critical Thinking, Communication

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Explore (15 minutes)

Objective: Let students explore the idea of families through hands-on activities.

1. Activity: Build-A-Family Puzzle
   • Hand each student a “Family Puzzle.” Each piece represents a family member (e.g., "mom," "dad," "aunt," "grandparent," "pet," etc.). Leave one of the pieces blank for students to add someone special from their own family.
   • As they assemble their puzzle, ask guiding questions:
     • “Who are the people in your home?”
     • “What makes someone a family member?”
   • Group Share: After completing their puzzles, let students share one puzzle piece and explain why it’s important to them.

Materials Needed:

• Pre-cut family puzzle template (one per child).

4Cs Highlighted: Creativity, Collaboration

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Explain (10 minutes)

Objective: Guide students to define families and understand their common characteristics.

1. Gather students in a circle. Read aloud the storybook “Who’s in My Family?” by Robie H. Harris. (Or a similar book that reflects diverse families.)
2. Pause to ask comprehension questions:
   • “What do all families have in common?”
   • “How do the people in different families take care of each other?”
3. Summarize: Use a chart with the title “What is a Family?” to list aspects students identify, such as:
   • Families care for each other.
   • Families might live together.
   • Families spend time together.

Materials Needed:

• Storybook about families.
• Poster/whiteboard and markers.

4Cs Highlighted: Communication, Critical Thinking

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Elaborate (15 minutes)

Objective: Build on concepts by connecting them to students’ own lives.

1. Activity: My Family Portrait with a Sentence

   • Distribute paper where students can draw pictures of their families.
   • At the bottom of the paper, there’s a sentence starter: “My family is special because ______.”
   • Students complete the drawing and sentence.
   • When done, have a brief “family parade” where students share their work.

2. Bonus Challenge: Group students into pairs and encourage them to compare their family drawings. Help them notice and celebrate differences!

Materials Needed:

• Drawing paper, crayons, pencils.

4Cs Highlighted: Creativity, Collaboration

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Evaluate (10 minutes)

Objective: Assess if students understand general family characteristics.

1. Classwide Discussion and Chart Activity

   • Revisit the chart “What is a Family?”
   • Ask students to contribute additional ideas based on what they learned during the lesson.

2. Exit Ticket: Hand out index cards with a simple question:
   "What makes your family special?"
   Students write or draw a response based on their level.

Materials Needed:

• Chart paper.
• Index cards, pencils, or crayons.

4Cs Highlighted: Critical Thinking

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Differentiation Strategies

1. For Students Needing Support:

   • Pair them with a partner and provide picture clues for the puzzle activity.
   • Scaffold writing during the “My Family Portrait” activity by helping to complete their sentence.

2. For Advanced Learners:

   • Encourage them to write additional sentences about their family or compare families in the story to their own using a Venn diagram.

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Reflective Wrap-Up (2 minutes)

Ask:

• “Can someone tell me one thing they learned about families today?”
• “How can we show our families we care for them after school today?”

Praise individual contributions, reinforcing how every family is special.

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Materials List

• Slideshow or printed images of different families.
• Pre-cut family puzzle templates.
• Storybook (“Who’s in My Family?” or alternative).
• Drawing supplies (paper, crayons, pencils).
• Chart paper, markers.
• Index cards.

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Teacher Notes

• Keep students engaged by encouraging movement (e.g., family parade sharing work).
• Provide plenty of positive reinforcement and acknowledge family diversity.
• Address any sensitive situations privately if a student has difficulty discussing their family.