Raise Your Hand! Lesson Plan

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Academic Standards

 

Reading Objective:

Children will examine the history of the Statue of Liberty.

 

Social Studies Focus:

American symbols

 

ELA Skills:

key details, writing, vocabulary, read a chart, read and create a diagram

 

Page 4 Skill:

read a diagram

 

Vocabulary:

liberty, crate, copper, unveiled

 

CCSS:

RI.2.1, RI.2.4, RI.2.5, RI.2.10, SL.2.3

 

Guided Reading Level: 

L

 

Lexile Level:

540L

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Download Common Core Standards

Provide students with some background on American symbols.

 

Build background knowledge (10 min.)

Watch our video “American Symbols.” After children have finished watching the video, discuss the following questions:

  • What is a symbol? (an object or picture that reminds us of, or makes us think about, something else)
  • Some American symbols were made by people. Which would you most like to see in person? (Answers will vary.)
  • Some American symbols are animals. Which would you like to see up close? (Answers will vary.)

 

Preview vocabulary (3 min.)

Next, play the online vocabulary slideshow. This issue’s featured words are liberty, crates, copper, and unveiled.

Set a purpose for reading (5 min.)

  • Pass out the issue, and discuss the cover. If the hand of the statue is as tall as a giraffe, the whole statue must be enormous—and it had to be sent all the way from France!
  • Next, read the As You Read prompt on page 2: “Think about all the steps it took to get the statue to the United States.” Encourage children to think about this prompt as they read.

Read together (20 min.)

Pass out the Read and Think printable. Use it to check comprehension as you read the issue together, pausing to ask the questions. 

Assessment: Reading Checkpoint (15 min.)

Pass out the Reading Checkpoint to review key concepts from the issue and assess students’ proficiency on key nonfiction reading skills.

In A Statue for Freedom, students answer questions about the Statue of Liberty. Each time they answer correctly, a ferry goes by Liberty Island!

You can use our printable worksheets to focus on important ELA skills. Here’s how.

 

ELA Focus: Vocabulary (15 min.)

  • Use the Word Work printable to deepen students’ understanding of the words liberty, crate, copper, and unveiled.

Editor’s Pick: My Statue (25 min.)

  • The Statue Symbols and My Statue skill sheets allow students to do a unique project. First, they read a diagram explaining the symbolism of different parts of the Statue of Liberty, such as the crown and the torch.
  • Next, they embellish a plain outline to create a statue of themselves! Just like Lady Liberty, they can wear and hold things that are special. Boxes are provided so students can point out these special features and explain their meaning.

ELA Focuses: Read a Chart (15 min.)

  • The American Symbols skill sheet provides students with at-a-glance facts about three more patriotic symbols: the Liberty Bell, the American flag, and the bald eagle. As they read the chart, students will get the information they need to answer the questions beneath.

 Here are two past issues you can use to extend your lesson on American symbols:

  • A New American Symbol, February 2018. In this issue, children learn about the bison and why it has become a symbol of our country.
  • How to Rescue Baby Eagles, February 2020. Bald eagles are a proud symbol of our country—but sometimes they need help too! This issue tells the true story of an eaglet rescue.

You can find a higher-Lexile-level and a lower-Lexile-level version of the article online here:

  • Higher Lexile level: 560L
  • Lower Lexile level: 500L