Unit 1: Who Am I?

In this foundational unit students strengthen their sense of self and explore the importance of getting along with others and being responsible. Like all the subsequent units, this unit is well integrated with the English Language Arts Content Expectations. Lessons are designed to be at least one week in length so there is adequate time to develop concepts and make connections. The unit begins with a sharing session in which students explore ways they are alike and different from other students in the class. Children also begin to identify roles they have, e.g. a sister, daughter, friend, student. After the sharing of the book I Like Me! or a similar book, they ‘celebrate themselves’ by identifying their positive characteristics and examples of responsible actions. In the next lesson, they begin to explore their role as students, and as a foundation for later lessons relating to geography, they begin to explore their classroom environment. The next lesson lays a foundation for history as students explore different tools used to measure time and distinguish between yesterday, today and tomorrow using a calendar. Building on this understanding of time they look at different ways we learn about the past and discover through creating a timeline of their own life that they have a past. The last two lessons which lay the foundation for subsequent lessons in civics explore the importance of getting along with others, responsibility, and good citizenship.

Who am I and where do I live?