LEARN NC

K–12 teaching and learning · from the UNC School of Education

Attributes by kids

This activity requires the student to demonstrate an understanding of classification, patterning, and seriation. The students will complete the project based on personal characteristics.

A lesson plan for grades K–1 Guidance, Healthful Living, and Social Studies

By Bunnie R. Brewer

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Learning outcomes

To demonstrate an understanding of classification, patterning, and seriation.

Teacher planning

Time required for lesson

60 minutes

Materials/resources

Pre-activities

  • Discuss attributes.
  • Talk about personal characteristics.
  • Discuss likeness and differences.

Activities

Distribute the handout with a simple picture of a house to each student. Make sure that students do not put their name on the front of their paper. Call out the following directions:

  1. If you have a brother, color the door red. If you do not have a brother, color the door blue.
  2. If you ride a bus to school, color the windows yellow. If you do not ride a bus to school, color the windows orange.
  3. If you are six, draw a sun in the sky. If you are not six, draw a cloud in the sky.
  4. If you have a pet, draw a tree beside of your house. If you do not have a pet, draw a flower beside of your house.

After the students have finished the picture, have them put their name on the back of the paper. Tell them to take their picture and find a partner who has an identical picture. Next, have them find a person whose differs by one attribute. Then make a “train” on the floor. One student puts his/her picture on the floor. The next person places a picture that differs by one attribute. This continues until everyone has put their picture on the train. Take the papers up and mix them together. Hold up one picture and ask students to tell four things about the “illustrator.” Ex. They have a brother. They do not ride a bus to school. They are six and have a pet.

Assessment

  • Teacher observation of the “train” activity.
  • Student answers to naming the “illustrator.”
  • Completed house drawing.

Supplemental information

Comments

Attributes by Kids can be adapted for any topic or unit that you are studying. Be careful that you always use “do not” as the second choice for attributes. This ensures that everyone will qualify for each attribute. (Example If you said “If you have blue eyes…,” you would have to next say, “If you do not have blue eyes” so that people with green eyes and brown eyes would both be involved.

North Carolina curriculum alignment

Guidance (2001)

Grade K–5

  • Goal 7: Acquire the attitudes, knowledge and interpersonal skills to help understand and respect self and others.

Social Studies (2003)

Grade 1

  • Goal 1: The learner will analyze how individuals, families, and groups are similar and different.
    • Objective 1.03: Compare and contrast similarities and differences among individuals and families.

  • North Carolina Essential Standards

    • Healthful Living (2010)

      • Grade 1

        • 1.ICR.1 Understand healthy and effective interpersonal communication and relationships. 1.ICR.1.1 Explain the importance of demonstrating respect for the personal space and boundaries of others 1.ICR.1.2 Explain the value of having a diversity of students...

      • Social Studies (2010)

        • 1.C.1 Understand the diversity of people in the local community. 1.C.1.1 Compare the languages, traditions, and holidays of various cultures. 1.C.1.2 Use literature to help people understand diverse cultures.

      • Kindergarten

        • K.C.1 Understand how individuals are similar and different. K.C.1.1 Explain similarities in self and others. K.C.1.2 Explain the elements of culture (how people speak, how people dress, foods they eat, etc.).