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Activity 1.1
My Building

It is important to first know who we are before we can understand what we need. Our personal identity is how we see ourselves as an individual person. It is not a concrete thing that is set when we are born. It is fluid and changes over time as we grow.

Standards

Anchor Standard SL4

Present Information, findings, and supporting evidence such that listeners can follow the line of reasoning and the organization development, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.

Kindergarten

Describe familiar people, places, things, and events, and, with prompting and support, provide additional detail.

Grade 1

Describe people, places, things, and events with relevant details, expressing ideas and feelings clearly.

Kindergarten

K.4d
Identify symbols, customs, famous individuals, and celebrations representative of our state and nation including - state and nationally designated holidays: New Year’s Day, the birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr., Inauguration Day, Washington’s Birthday, Mardi Gras, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day. Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.

K.5
Identify examples of different cultures and traditions in Louisiana.

Grade 1

1.8a
Identify examples of Louisiana’s culture, including - state and nationally designated holidays: New Year’s Day, the birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr., Inauguration Day, Washington’s Birthday, Mardi Gras, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day. Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.

1.8e
Identify examples of Louisiana’s culture, including - traditions: lagniappe, second line parades, king cake, red beans, and rice on Mondays.

1.8f
Identify examples of Louisiana’s culture, including - cuisine: jambalaya, gumbo, etouffee, bread pudding, meat pies, and tamales.

Grade 2

2.7c
Identify and describe national historical figures, celebrations, symbols, and places.

Describe the significance of state and nationally designated holidays, including New Year’s Day, the birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr., Inauguration Day, Washington’s Birthday, Mardi Gras, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day. Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.

Grade 3

3.6b
Identify and describe national historical figures, celebrations, and symbols.

Describe the significance of state and nationally designated holidays, including New Year’s Day, the birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr., Inauguration Day, Washington’s Birthday, Mardi Gras, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day. Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.

Note: This activity is appropriate for all grade levels, however, it is standards-aligned for kindergarten through third-grade social studies. When combined with activities from units two and/or three, it can support other grade-level standards in grades four through twelve.

Materials

Instructions

  1. Write your name in the top left-hand corner of the worksheet under the “My Building” title.
  2. Foundation: On the floor of the building, write the values that guide your life.
  3. Walls: Along the walls, write anything or anyone that supports you.
  4. Roof: On the roof, name the things or people that protect you.
  5. Door: Write the things that you keep from others. (e.g. emotions, actions, people, things)
  6. Chimney: Coming out of the chimney, write down ways in which you blow off steam or relax.
  7. Billboard/yard sign: On the billboard, write the things you are proud of and want others to see.
  8. Floor 1: On the first floor, list or draw traditions that you and your family practice.
  9. Floor 2: On the second floor, list a country or place that is important to your family.
  10. Floor 3: On the third floor, list or draw what a good life looks like to you.
  11. Floor 4: List the things that make you angry.
  12. Environment: Around the outside of your building, write down or draw what your surrounding environment looks like.

Reflection Questions

  • What do you think of when you think of your environment?
  • What do you notice about your building?
  • Do the things on the inside of your building relate to anything on the outside of your building?
  • Is there anything you would like to share about your building?