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Lesson Plans and Printables

Constitutional Rights Foundation Lesson Plans (K-12) | Lesson Plan Collection
A collection of lesson plans for all grade levels.  crf-usa.org

Lessons for Constitution Day (K-12) | Lesson Plan Collection
Has lesson plans for all grade levels. civiced.org

Teaching the Constitution (K-12) | Lesson Plan Collection
Has lesson and activity ideas for all grade levels – organized by subject and grade level. Also includes resource information. usconstitution.net

Constitution Day Preamble Lesson (K-1) | Lesson Plan
Uses the book, We the Kids, to present the preamble in a visual form.

Constitution Day Writing Printables (K-6) | Printables
Lined and blank journal writing pages with Constitution graphics.

Constitution Day Printables (K-5) | Printables
KWL, Preamble, word game, and more.

Constitution Day Worksheets and Printables (1-5) | Printables
Word puzzles, cloze worksheets, word jumbles, and more.

The Preamble to the Constitution: How Do You Make a More Perfect Union? (3-5) | Lesson Plan
A 3-lesson unit in which students will learn the purposes of the U.S. Constitution and the fundamental values and principles as they are expressed in the Preamble.

Why Celebrate Constitution Day? (9-12) | Lesson Plan
This lesson includes an editorial commemorating Constitution Day. The reading examines two competing schools of constitutional interpretation and explains the philosophical basis of the Constitution. Discussion questions follow the reading. pbs.org

Resource and Information Sites

Articles of Confederation vs. the Constitution (3-12) | Resource
Chart compares some of the provisions of the Articles of Confederation with those in the Constitution. earthlink.net

Congress for Kids – The Constitution (3-8) | Resource
This section covers the history of the Constitution of the United States. It includes information about the writing the Constitution, the Great Compromise, the Constitution’s signers, the Bill of Rights, the Amendments to the Constitution and what they mean to Americans, and much more.  congressforkids.net

Constitution Day Wiki (K-12) | Resource
A listing of links to lessons and activities for Constitution Day. Wiki started by wig, a member @ the A to Z Teacher Stuff Forums.

ConstitutionFacts.com | Resource
Resource site includes lots of information for learning about the Constitution. constitutionfacts.com

Roadmap to the Constitution (3-8) | Resource
This site is dedicated to providing students of all kinds with knowledge of the United States Constitution and Bill of Rights. library.thinkquest.org

Teaching With Documents: Observing Constitution Day (3-12) | Resource
The National Archives and Records Administration celebrates this important day in our nation’s history by providing activities, lesson plans, and information.  archives.gov

The United States Constitution (K-12) | Resource
The entire text of the Constitution. house.gov

The Making of the Constitution (K-12)| Resource
This resource examines the causes, difficulties, and results of the Constitutional Convention, the Bill of Rights, and more. socialstudiesforkids.com

WhiteHouse.gov for Kids – The Constitution (K-5) | Resource
Facts, games, and resources for learning about the Constitution. georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov

Books

We the Kids: The Preamble to the Constitution of the United States

by David Catrow

A More Perfect Union: The Story of Our Constitution

by Betsy Maestro

 Shh! We’re Writing the Constitution

by Jean Fritz

Pinterest

Follow A to Z’s board teaching: constitution day on Pinterest.

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Lesson Plans & Resources

September 11th Ideas
Ideas originally posted at the Discussion Forums lessons.atoz

9/11 As History
Features curricula, resources and tips, to help adults and youths of all ages to reflect on and be intentional in their response to the anniversary. 911ashistory.org

Reading Rainbow, Netflix Season 1, Episode 11 – The Tin Forest
LeVar talks to students in New York City about September 11, and Jeff Bridges reads about a man driven by sadness to create a metal forest.

Good Citizens in a Time of Emergency
How did ordinary people respond to the attacks of September 11, 2001? This lesson looks at how ordinary people acted in extraordinary ways and explores ways to practice good citizenship every day as well as in times of emergency or disaster. crfc.org

In Remembrance: Teaching September 11
A collection of resources for September 11th. teachinghistory.org

9-11 and the Constitution
A four-lesson unit relating the 9/11 attacks to topics in civic education. civiced.org

911 Remembrance Crafts
Several ideas from makingfriends.com

PBS: America Responds
Created to help educators teach students about peace, tolerance, war, patriotism, geography, and other related issues. pbs.org

Scholastic’s 9/11/01: The Day That Changed America
A variety of resources for September 11 scholastic.com

USA Unit
Lots of printable pages on patriotism, U.S. symbols, crosswords, word search, writing, and more. abcteach.com

Memorials

National September 11 Memorial & Museum
The Teach + Learn section has teaching guides, lesson plans, and a wealth of resources.

Flight 93 National Memorial
Includes a section for Teachers and Kids

The National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial
Teaching resources and information including the 9/11 timeline,  links to lesson plans, and more.

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Resources and lesson plans for a unit on The Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister.

Lesson Plans and Activities @ A to Z

The Rainbow Fish Art and Craft Activities (PK-1)
After reading and discussing the story, making a rainbow fish is a fun follow-up activity.  Find lesson plans for making a paper plate rainbow fish, watercolor rainbow fish, or a wax resist rainbow fish.

Friendship Activities for The Rainbow Fish (PK-1)
Several activities and ideas for learning about making friends and what it takes to be a friend including a beginning of the year activity, The Friendship Fish, and an end of the year idea.

Resources @ Other Sites

Rainbow Fish Coffee Filter Craft (PK+)
Make a fun rainbow fish with a coffee filter, markers, and water. dltk-teach.com

Rainbow Fish Paper Craft (PK+)
Includes a rainbow fish template you can use with construction paper or tissue paper and a bit of foil to create your own rainbow fish. dltk-teach.com

Rainbow Fish Theme Unit (K)
Poems, crafts and math activities including full color photos. thevirtualvine.com

Rainbow Fish Ideas
A variety of activities and ideas that have been compiled from the proteacher discussion forum. proteacher.org

Rainbow Fish Thematic Unit
Some discussion tips and more ideas for making a rainbow fish. angelfire.com

Fish Printables
A collection of fish-themed pages to print including several that would work for The Rainbow Fish. abcteach.com

The Rainbow Fish – Sunday School Resource  (PK-1)
This is a lesson to go along with a Bible story related to sharing. mssscrafts.com

Resources @ Amazon.com

The Rainbow Fish
Hardcover edition

The Rainbow Fish Big Book
Big Book Edition: 13″ x 18″

Rainbow Fish to the Rescue Big Book
A sequel to The Rainbow Fish. Big Book Edition: 18″ x 13″

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Printables, Activities, and Teaching Ideas @ A to Z

All About Me Printable Book  (K-1)
A ten-page book for students to record facts about themselves: self portrait, traits, family, favorites, address, phone, birthday, etc.

Personalized Name Books (PK-K)
Printable book with handwriting and learning about names.

Name Recognition Activities (PK-K)
Games and activities for getting to know classmates’ names as well as recognizing their own name.

Name Printable Worksheets (PK-K)
A growing collection of personalized name pages for tracing, handwriting practice and learning names

Handwriting Worksheet Generator (PK-K)
Use this to create your own simple custom sheets for name tracing.

All About Me Activities  (PK-K)
All About Me Graphing, All About Me Cube, and All About You

Getting to Know You Worksheet (1-3)
Students answer questions about classmates by finding someone who matches the criteria.

All About Me Biographical and Autobiographical Writing  (6-8)
Students will practice biographical and autobiographical forms of writing: autobiography, biopoem, character traits, classmate biography.

Resources @ Other Sites

All About Me Crafts & Coloring for Kids (PK-1)
Lots of printable crafts and more: Custom me books, address practice, emotions, family, friendship, etc. dltk-kids.com

All About Me Preschool Activities (PK-K)
This theme will address skills and concepts that are important in growing up such as: recognizing and learning our name, learning about emotions, personal hygiene (e.g. brushing our teeth), peace education and most of all knowing that every one is unique and special. first-school.ws

All About Me Unit Plan (K-2)
15 day unit: Help students celebrate their individuality and learn about likenesses and differences. This unit builds those important beginning of the year skills and a sense of family in your classroom. Along with language arts, this thematic study integrates math, social studies, and health as it complements the reading frameworks.  beaconlearningcenter.com

Me, My Family and Friends Theme (PK-K)
Early childhood education ideas, activities and lesson plans that promote young children’s self-esteem and self-identity. This preschool education theme encourages self-awareness and enhances learning about family. At the beginning of a child’s preschool experience these activities help ease separation anxiety and during the year they help youngsters cope with the birth of siblings. preschoolrainbow.org

Poems & Rhymes for Self and Family Themes (PK-K)
Preschool action poems, fingerplays, nursery rhymes and songs that reinforce preschool children’s sense of; identity, family, and self-esteem. These early childhood education rhymes serve as a curriculum resource to teachers developing themes about family relationships and self-awareness. They are easily included during circle and large group times. preschoolrainbow.org

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Activities, ideas, printables, and lesson plans for a unit on The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn.

Lesson Plans, Printables, and Resources @ A to Z:

The Kissing Hand Activity for the First Week of School (PS-K)
Activities for the book The Kissing Hand to send home in a backpack or shoebox.

The Kissing Hand Activities and Teaching Ideas
First week activities including full color photos.

Chester Goes to School Printable Book
A printable “Chester Goes to School” book.

• Raccoon Coloring Page or Pattern
  
• Raccoon Coloring Page or Pattern 2
  

Lesson Plans, Printables, and Resources from Other Sites

First Day of Kindergarten~The Kissing Hand Lesson
Students listen to story, create a handprint craft, and practice retelling the story.  teachers.net

The Kissing Hand
Activities for using The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn on the first day of school.  kinderthemes.com

The Kissing Hand Unit
Ideas for shared reading and writing, songs and poems, making a hand necklace and raccoon puppet.  Includes photos. mrsnelsonsclass.com

The Kissing Hand Unit
First day activities, bulletin board idea, math activities, pocket chart activities, poems, and more! thevirtualvine.com

The Kissing Hand Printables and Ideas
Lots of printables for The Kissing Hand or raccoons: magnet pages, BINGO marker pages, cut and paste, trace and color, literacy and math ideas, recipes, and more.  makinglearningfun.com

Raccoon Printables Activities Based on The Kissing Hand
A collection of colorful printable pages including math mats, calendar, clothespin counting, games, and more. play2learnprintables.com

Printable Raccoon Heart Craft
Create a raccoon face out of hearts. first-school.ws

The Kissing Hand Game
Printable game. Children count the hearts and match the correct numbered pawprint to the raccoon/heart card.  archjrc.com

The Kissing Hand Activities
Activities for math center, class books, songs & fingerplays, writing center, and large group.  This site is no longer online, but still accessible by archive. web.archive.org

The Kissing Hand Activity
This activity involves parents sending an outline of their hand for use with The Kissing Hand. thekcrew.net

Related Resources 

Heart in Hand Metal Cookie Cutter
4 inch metal cookie cutter perfect for The Kissing Hand.

The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn
Hardcover edition of the book

Chester the Raccoon Stuffed Animal

The Kissing Hand BIG BOOK
When you click through, make sure it is the big book edition (15″ x 20.5″) with ISBN: 978-1-933718-07-1, Hardcover, before ordering.

Yes, you can now have this beloved book in the oversized big book edition!  The beautiful illustrations really pop off the pages. It’s also a HARDCOVER so it will last for years.

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Lesson Plans, Printables, and Resources @ A to Z:

Activities for the First Days of School (All ages)
A collection of teacher-tested tips, ideas, and activities for the first week or first day of school.

Back to School Bulletin Board Ideas
A list of ideas for back to school themed bulletin boards and hallway or classroom displays to welcome students.

Back to School Rules (3-5)
Learn the basic classroom rules to have a safe and productive year.

Beginning of the year activity using The Rainbow Fish (1-2)
This is a great getting to know you activity for the beginning of the year!

First Day of School: I’ll Get to Know You (1-4)
To welcome children to school and help them get to know one another.

My Favorite Papers (1-2)
Students fill out papers throughout the year all about themselves.

A to Z’s Back to School Printables (PS-3)
A collection of printables for the first days of school or with a school theme.

All About Me Printable Book (K-2)
A ten-page book for students to record facts about themselves: self portrait, traits, family, favorites, address, phone, birthday, etc.

Name Recognition Activities (PS-K)
Games and activities for getting to know classmates’ names as well as recognizing their own name.

First Week @ Little Giraffes (PS-K)
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, Kissing Hand, and other back to school activities. Includes photos.

Icebreaker Back to School Activities / Getting Acquainted
Teacher-tested ideas and activities for the first days and weeks of school.

Back to School Ideas and Tips for Parent Communication 
Teacher-tested ideas for working with parents at the start of the school year.

Back to School Student Information Sheet (PDF file) (K-5)
Information/volunteer sheet for parents to fill out at the beginning of the school year.

Substitute Information Sheets (PDF file) (PK-8)
Class information sheet to leave for a substitute teacher and class report to outline how the day went.

Lesson Plans, Printables, and Resources from Other Sites

Back to School First Day Activities (K)
Includes a first day checklist and first day activities.
http://www.kinderthemes.com/backtoschool.html

Back to School @ The Lesson Plans Page (PS-12)
A collection of lesson plans and activities for various levels and topics.
http://www.lessonplanspage.com/BeginSchool.htm

Beginning of the Year Songs and Poems (PS-1)
Starting the year off right with these fun songs about cleaning up, listening, lining up, back-to-school, calendar songs, number poems, color songs, and more!
http://www.kinderthemes.com/Songsideasandchecklists.html

Back to School Worksheets
A collection of PDF printable back to school activities, puzzles and more.
http://www.superteacherworksheets.com/backtoschool.html

abcteach Back to School Printables
Tons of printables for back-to-school.
http://abcteach.com/directory/theme_units/back_to_school/

Forms and Checklists (K-5)
Printable parent and bus information form, first day checklist.
http://www.kinderthemes.com/checklist.html

Addie’s Wonderful Watermelon Unit (K)
Start off the year with a refreshing back to school unit with a watermelon theme!
http://web.archive.org/web/20091020093606/http://geocities.com/Athens/…

Back to Preschool Activity Theme (PS-K)
Lots of songs and teacher tips that are especially suitable for beginning the school year and when “new” children enter your class.
http://www.preschoolrainbow.org/back-to-school.htm

Back to School Activities
Book list, poems, bulletin board ideas, lots of great ideas and activities.
http://www.thevirtualvine.com/BacktoSchool.html 

Break the Ice (3-12)
Several discussion activities to start of the year
http://www.hcc.hawaii.edu/intranet/committees/FacDevCom/guidebk/teacht…

 Getting to Know You (K)
Find songs, games, activities and book selections at The Teacher’s Room.
http://web.archive.org/web/20080109152147/http://www.theteachersroom.c…

The Kissing Hand (K)
Activities for using The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn on the first day of school. 
http://www.kinderthemes.com/thekissinghand.html

Truth and Lies Game (K-12)
This is a fun, get-acquainted activity. Used in the beginning of the school year, during a class party, or at the end of the year. 
http://education.indiana.edu/cas/tt/v3i1/truth.html

Welcome to School – The Gingerbread Hunt (K)
Use this activity on the first day of school to help put the kinders at ease and to acclimate them to the school environment and personnel.
http://www.angelfire.com/la/kinderthemes/index1.html

Back to School Poems & Activities
Color poems, pocket chart activities, other poems and songs for back to school.
http://www.kinderkorner.com/back2.html