Unit Plan

The New and Improved "What I Did on My Summer Vacation"

  • Grades: 3–5

Overview

The start of the new school year is a time to get to know your students, assess their abilities, and determine learning styles, but time is short. These introductory activities will give you insight into your class and their families while providing several baseline samples. Using children's literature as a guide, students retell the story of a family vacation that leads to a surprise-culminating event at the end. Students will also share background information through their "All About Me Museum" displays, a project that integrates four core social studies strands. As a bonus, you'll be able to create a stunning hallway display just in time for your school's Meet the Teacher Night, using student created poems and photographs derived from the lesson, "The Best Part of Me."

Objective

Students will:
  1. Put events in sequence from both a short and long time.
  2. Write a descriptive poem that describes their favorite feature.
  3. Create a multi-dimensional project that focuses on each student's individual history.

Lesson Plans for this Unit

Culminating Activity

The culminating activities for Lessons One and Two are listed at the end of each lesson.

Supporting Books

Resource Books for Starting the New School Year

  • Subjects:
    Social Studies, Curriculum Development, Literature, Literature Appreciation, Poetry Writing, Back-to-School Experiences, Summer, Photography, Summer Themes, First Day of School, New Teacher Resources, Teacher Tips and Strategies
  • Duration:
    5 Weeks
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