Lesson Plan

Kentucky Treasures: Exploring Symbols, Songs, and Traditions

Kentucky band

Band before playing at the Knob Creek Farm

National Park Service

Grade Level:
Lower Elementary: Pre-Kindergarten through Second Grade
Subject:
Literacy and Language Arts,Social Studies
Lesson Duration:
30 Minutes
State Standards:
Kentucky
Social Studies
1.H.KH.2 Identify Kentucky symbols, songs and traditions.
Thinking Skills:
Remembering: Recalling or recognizing information ideas, and principles. Understanding: Understand the main idea of material heard, viewed, or read. Interpret or summarize the ideas in own words. Applying: Apply an abstract idea in a concrete situation to solve a problem or relate it to a prior experience. Analyzing: Break down a concept or idea into parts and show the relationships among the parts. Creating: Bring together parts (elements, compounds) of knowledge to form a whole and build relationships for NEW situations. Evaluating: Make informed judgements about the value of ideas or materials. Use standards and criteria to support opinions and views.

Essential Question

What symbols, songs, and traditions are representative of Kentucky?

Objective

Students will be able to identify Kentucky symbols, songs, and traditions in preparation for a field trip to the Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park.

Background

To successfully implement this lesson on Kentucky symbols, songs, and traditions, the teacher needs to have a solid understanding of Kentucky's cultural identity and history. This includes knowing key state symbols such as the flag, bird (Cardinal), and flower (Goldenrod), and being familiar with the significance of these symbols to Kentucky's heritage. Additionally, the teacher should have access to accurate resources such as recordings or lyrics of the Kentucky folk song "My Old Kentucky Home" to effectively convey its cultural importance. Understanding the context of Kentucky traditions like Derby Day and Bluegrass music will enable the teacher to explain their relevance to the state's cultural fabric.  

Preparation

Practical preparation involves gathering appropriate materials such as visuals and storybooks that depict these symbols and traditions in an engaging manner, ensuring students grasp their significance prior to their field trip to the Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park. 

  • Pictures or illustrations of Kentucky symbols (e.g., state flag, state bird, state flower) 

  • Recording or lyrics of a Kentucky folk song (e.g., "My Old Kentucky Home") 

  • Storybooks or visuals depicting Kentucky traditions (e.g., Derby Day, Bluegrass music) 

  • Blank sheet of Paper (optional) 

Lesson Hook/Preview

Preparation: 

  • Prepare pictures or small objects representing Kentucky symbols such as the state flag, state bird (Cardinal), and state flower (Goldenrod). Hide these items around the classroom or outdoor area. 

Introduction: 

  • Gather the students and introduce the concept of symbols by showing them pictures of Kentucky's state symbols briefly. Explain that they will go on a scavenger hunt to find these symbols. 

Scavenger Hunt Instructions: 

  • Divide the students into small groups and give each group a list or pictures of the symbols they need to find. 

  • Explain that they need to search around the classroom or designated area to find each symbol. 

  • Encourage students to work together and discuss what they find. 

Discussion: 

  • After the scavenger hunt, gather the students together and review the symbols they found. 

  • Discuss why these symbols are important to Kentucky and how they represent the state's identity. 

Real life connections: 

  • Connect the symbols they found to things they might already know or have seen before. For example, they may have seen a Cardinal bird outside, which is Kentucky's state bird. 

  • Discuss why learning about their state's symbols is important and how these symbols are part of their everyday lives in Kentucky. 

Procedure

Step One:  

Introduction (10 minutes): 

  1. Begin by discussing with students what they already know about Kentucky. 

  1. Introduce the concept of symbols, songs, and traditions that represent Kentucky. 

  1. Explain that they will be learning about these things to prepare for their upcoming field trip to the Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park. 

Step Two: 

Mini Activity 1: Kentucky Symbols (15 minutes): 

  1. Show pictures or illustrations of Kentucky symbols, such as the state flag, state bird (Cardinal), and state flower (Goldenrod). 

  1. Discuss each symbol briefly, asking students what they notice about each one. 

  1. Have students name each symbol as you show them. 

Step Three:  

Mini Activity 2: Kentucky Song (10 minutes): 

  1. Play a recording of "My Old Kentucky Home" or share the lyrics with the class. 

  1. Explain that this song is a famous Kentucky folk song. 

  1. Sing or listen to the song together, discussing the emotions and imagery it creates. 

 

Step Four: 

Mini Activity 3: Kentucky Traditions (10 minutes): 

  1. Show storybooks or visuals depicting Kentucky traditions, such as Derby Day (Kentucky Derby) or Bluegrass music. 

  1. Discuss these traditions with the class, asking students if they have heard of any of them before. 

  1. Explain why these traditions are important to Kentucky culture. 

Extension Activity (Optional): Have students create a simple artwork or craft related to one of the Kentucky symbols or traditions discussed in class on a blank sheet of paper. 

Step Five 

Conclusion (5 minutes): 

  1. Review what students have learned about Kentucky symbols, songs, and traditions. 

  1. Connect these concepts to their upcoming field trip to the Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park and discuss that the their will be symbols and symbolic representations there.  

  1. Encourage students to look for these symbols, songs, and traditions during their trip. 

Vocabulary

Symbol: A picture, object, or idea that represents something else. In Kentucky, symbols like the state flag, state bird (Cardinal), and state flower (Goldenrod) represent the state and its identity. 

Tradition: Something that people have done for a long time and continue to do because it is important to them. In Kentucky, traditions like Derby Day (Kentucky Derby) and Bluegrass music are special events or practices that people celebrate or enjoy together. 

Folk Song: A song that has been passed down from generation to generation and often tells stories about people, places, or events. "My Old Kentucky Home" is a famous Kentucky folk song that talks about the beauty and memories of Kentucky. 

State: A part of a country that has its own government and laws. Kentucky is one of the states in the United States of America. 

Heritage: The traditions, beliefs, and values that are passed down from parents to children over time. Kentucky's heritage includes its rich history, cultural traditions, and the stories of its people.  

Assessment Materials

Discussion and Reflection

Students discussion and reflection or if you choose to have the students complete a drawing it will be used to determine their understanding of the objective and determine if it is met. 

Supports for Struggling Learners

-Engage the learner in hands-on activities, and visuals, or drawings that demonstrate symbolic concepts. 

-Include visual aids with the song.  

Enrichment Activities

-Challenge the student to become a “Kentucky Expert” and share more facts about Kentucky and symbolism the next day or on the field trip. Allow the learner to share any facts that they already know as well.  

 

Related Lessons or Education Materials

Meets Kentucky 1st grade social studies standards. This lesson was created by Kentucky teachers as a part of the History and Science Explore Project.

Contact Information

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Last updated: July 22, 2024