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Freedom to Choose

Unit of 3 lessons

3rd-5th Grade

Subjects:

Arts, Language Arts, Library / Technology and Social Studies

Key Words/Concepts click to view

Lesson 1 :	ELA:	Across the Wide Dark Sea; How Many Days to America?; Analyze/Interpret; Compare/Contrast; Historical Fiction; Journaling; Point of View; Response to Text/Others
	PHIL:	Religious Perspectives; Respect; Sensitivity; Tolerance
	SOC:	Choices/Consequences; Colonization/Settlement (1585-1763); Freedom; Religion
Lesson 2 :	ART-T:	Theater: Create/Communicate; Theater: Perform
	ELA:	Compare/Contrast; Journaling; Point of View
	PHIL:	Common Good; Core Democratic Values; Religious Perspectives
	SOC:	Choices/Consequences; Colonization/Settlement (1585-1763); Freedom; Mayflower Compact; Opportunity Costs; Primary/Secondary Sources; Religion
Lesson 3 :	ART:	Theater: Create/Communicate; Visual Arts: Create/Communicate
	ELA:	Brainstorming; Cause/Effect; Teamwork
	PHIL:	Common Good; Opportunity Costs; Service Plan; Volunteer
	SOC:	10 genOn; Choices/Consequences; Common Good; Freedom

Unit Overview:

As the Pilgrims came to this country, they were leaving the oppression of a government that did not allow them to make choices of freedom—specifically the freedom to assemble for the religious worship of their choice. The students will come to understand the importance of freedom in the foundation of the democratic government. Freedom is still an important foundation in our government, but the world is not perfect. The students will find examples of loss of freedom at school, in the community or in the country and choose a way to make a contribution through volunteering or communicating. They will discover that freedom to choose is important to them.

Unit Purpose:

Students explore the motivation of the pilgrims and recognize that freedom of choice is important to them as they choose a service project.

Unit Objectives:

The learner will:

respond to the experience of losing freedom to choose.
respond to the text and others' interpretation of the text.
write in a journal from the point of view of a Mayflower passenger or a person who chose to stay in England.
recognize that having freedom is important.
recognize that human rights and freedom to choose are the foundation of the forming of democracy.
explain why Pilgrims wanted to be free.
explain why the right to assemble is important—even when we personally don't agree with the reason for assembling.
identify the words in the Mayflower Compact and the first Amendment of the Constitution that express the right to freedom of assembly.
recognize and describe a loss of freedom.
brainstorm ways to volunteer or communicate to reduce loss of freedom.
choose a way to be a philanthropist and make a plan.

Service Experience:

Although lessons in this unit contain service project examples, decisions about service plans and implementation should be made by students, as age appropriate.

Since volunteering requires freedom of choice, the students will choose how they will volunteer or contribute to the common good by sharing time, talent or treasure.

Unit Assessment:

In Lessons One and Two , assess student journal entries using the rubric in Lesson One: Assessment . Evaluate students' responses from discussions and in their writing.

School/Home Connection:

“Copy-and-Paste” Class/School Newsletter Information Insert:
We learn from the Pilgrims that the formation of our government has its roots in seeking freedom. As we look at our country today with all its diversity, it is important for students to recognize that freedom is what many people seek when they come to this country. We will learn that people have these rights, even if ideas may conflict with our own. We will be looking at freedoms here at school, in our community and in a broader sense. Students will recognize that the freedom of choice is important in selecting how they will volunteer their time.
Interactive Parent / Student Homework:
Lesson One: No Choice! — Encourage students to talk to their parents about why their family (or ancestors) came to this country.
Lesson Two: The Mayflower Compact—Freedom Contract — Using the Mayflower Compact and the First Amendment as a model, ask families to write a compact, or agreement, at home that will ensure the rights of all family members and that everyone can agree upon.