EDUCATION UNITS AND LESSONS
Grade 2: Community Leaders Exhibit


Inquiry Standards


Social Studies

  • SS..2.1.6.1 Investigate school, community, and national leaders and their responsibilities
  • SS.2.1.7.2 Describe how historical figures exemplify our shared democratic values

English Language Arts

  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.2.1: Ask and answer such questions as who, what, where, when, why, and how to demonstrate understanding of key details in a text.
  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.2.7: Use information gained from illustrations and the words in a text to demonstrate understanding of its key concepts.
  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.2.7: Participate in shared research and writing projects.
  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.2.8: Recall information from experiences or gather information from provided sources to answer a question.
  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.2.1: Participate in collaborative conversations with diverse partners about grade 2 topics and texts.

*If you are making adjustments to the unit, use your teacher expertise to adjust standards by adding/deleting standards.

Nā Hopena Aʻo


Nā Hopena Aʻo Cards

  • Sense of Hawaiʻi: Learn the names, stories, special characteristics and the importance of places in Hawaiʻi, share the histories, stories, cultures and languages of Hawaiʻi, compare and contrast points of views, cultures, and their contributions
  • Sense of Aloha: Appreciate the gifts and abilities of others, communicate effectively to diverse audiences

 

Lesson Flow at-a-Glance: Standards

 

Day 1 

Introduction to Democracy
 

Day 2

Hawaiʻi Leaders: Champions of Democracy 

Day 3

Researching a Hawaiʻi Leader

Day 4

Creating a Leader Showcase

Day 5

Celebrating Our Leaders

 

Compelling Question

How can we, as second graders, highlight important historical leaders from Hawaiʻi who have demonstrated democratic values?

Overview

In this unit, students will explore the concept of democracy, civic responsibility, and leadership through the lens of Hawaiian history. They will learn about local historical figures who embodied democratic values such as fairness, responsibility, and respect. Students will engage in hands-on activities to understand these concepts and then research a Hawaiian leader to create a final project.

Vocabulary

  • Democracy: A system of government where people vote to make decisions.
  • Values:  Important beliefs or principles that guide behavior.
  • Civic Responsibility: The duties or responsibilities of people to participate in their community and government.
  • Fairness: Treating people equally and making decisions without favoritism.
  • Respect: Showing consideration and appreciation for others.
  • Historical Figure:  A person from the past who made a significant impact on society.
  • Leadership: The action of leading or guiding a group or community.
  • Equality: Everyone is the same and should be treated the same way. 
  • Freedom: Being able to do what you want, as long as it doesn’t hurt anyone else.
  • Justice: Being fair and doing what is right.

Lesson Details


Day 1: Introduction to Democracy


Teacher Preparation


  • Review and make adjustments to the Project Presentation Slide Deck

  • Materials Needed

    • Chart paper
    • Markers
    • Democratic Charades Cards
    • Pictures of democratic symbols (.e.g the ballot box, the flag)
    • A large globe or world map

    1. Introduction (10 minutes)
      1. Begin with a class discussion about rules. Ask students to share examples of rules they follow at home and at school. (Suggestion: Use chart paper or white board to document student responses)
        1. Sample student responses:
          1. Home Rules:
            1. We have to clean up our toys after playing
            2. We can’t stay up past bedtime
            3. We have to say please and thank you
            4. We can’t watch too much tv
            5. We have to do our homework
          2. School Rules:
            1. We have to raise our hands to talk
            2. We can’t run on the sidewalk
            3. We have to listen to the teacher
            4. We have to line up quietly
    2. Learning Experience (30 minutes)
      1. Introduce the concept of democracy.
        1. Explain that democracy is a form of government where people have the power to make decisions.
          1. Democracy means that everyone gets a say. For example, when you and your friends vote on what game to play. Everyone gets to choose, and the most popular choice wins. In a democracy, everyone gets a chance to vote for leaders and make decisions about how things are run. 
          2. Use pictures and real-world examples to illustrate these concepts
            1. Discuss the key values of democracy, such as fairness, respect, and responsibility. 
            2. Optional:
              1. Read aloud
                1. Fairy Tales and Fables: Discuss how characteristics in the stories demonstrate values like fairness, honesty, and respect.
                  1. Suggestions:
                    1. Little Red Riding Hood: Teaches about the importance of listening to your instincts and avoiding strangers
                    2. The Tortoise and the Hare: Teaches the value of perseverance and the importance of steady progress
                    3. The Ant and the Grasshopper: teaches the value of hard work and  preparation for the future.
              2. Real-life Examples:
                1. Share stories about people who have stood up for what’s right or helped others. 
                2. Suggestions:
                  1. Martin Luther King Jr.: A Man of Peace by Doreen Rappaport
                  2. Rosa Parks: A Woman Who Changed a Nation by Eloise Greenfield
                  3. The Story of Ruby Bridges by Robert Coles 
              3. Classroom Situations:
                1. Relate the concept to classroom scenarios. For instance, discuss the importance of taking turns, sharing, and respecting classmates.
              4. Video
                1. Show a short video that shows values like fairness, honesty, and respect
        2. Democracy Charades
          1. Divide students into groups of 4-5
          2. Give each group a card with a democratic value (e.g. fairness, respect, responsibility, equality, freedom, justice)
          3. Have each group act out their value, and the other groups guess the value.
          4. How to play:
            1. Get a word: Your team will get a word
            2. Show, don’t tell: Act out the word without talking. Use your body to show what the word means
            3. Guess the word: The other team will try to guess the word you’re acting out
            4. Switch teams: Then, it’s the other team’s turn to act out a word
            5. Have fun and be creative!
    3. Reflecting on our Learning (5 minutes)
      1. Review the key points of the lesson. (Suggestion: Use chart paper or white board to document student responses)
        1. Ask students to share what they learned about democracy and democratic values. Connect it back to what they said during the introduction. Refer to the anchor chart or white board if applicable. 

    Scaffolds: Use simple language and visuals to explain complex concepts. Provide sentence starters and sentence frames to support student responses. Model the desired behavior during the charades activity.


    Lesson Details


    Day 2: Hawaiʻi Leaders: Champions of Democracy


    Teacher Preparation


    Materials Needed

    Purpose: To introduce students to Hawaiian historical figures who demonstrated democratic values.

    Learning Outcome: Students will be able to identify a  Hawaiʻi historical figure and explain their contributions to Hawaiʻi.


    1. Introduction (5 minutes)
      1. Review the concept of democracy and the key values
    2. Learning Experience (30 minutes)
      1. Introduce a Hawaiʻi historical figure to students. Discuss their contributions to Hawaiʻi and how they embodied democratic values.
        1. Queen Liliuokalani
        2. Choose the following: There are additional resources that you can choose from
          1. Read aloud
          2. Video
    3. Reflecting on our Learning (10 minutes)
      1. Letʻs Chat
        1. Class discussion
          1. What did you think about Queen Liliʻuokalni?
          2. Was she a good leader?
          3. Why or why not?

    Scaffolds: Provide sentence starters and graphic organizers to help students organize their thoughts. Offer support in researching information about the leaders as you walk around the room during leader profile activity.


    Day 3: Researching a Hawaiʻi Leader


    Purpose: To guide students in researching a Hawiai leader and understanding their contributions to Hawaiʻi.

    Learning Outcome: Students will be able to research and gather information about a Hawaiʻi leader.

    Teacher Preparation


    Materials Needed


    1. Introduction (5 minutes)
      1. Review democracy and democratic values
      2. Review Hawaiʻi leaders from previous day
    2. Learning Experience (35 minutes)
      1. Leader Profile
        1. Divide students into pairs.
          1. Give each  one of the Leader Profiles.
          2. Have them work together to create a simple profile of their leader and include: Leader Profile Note Catcher
            1. Name
            2. What they did
            3. One democratic value demonstrated
    3. Reflecting on our Learning (5 minutes)
      1. Have students share one interesting fact they learned about their leader.
        1. If you are short on time, have students share in pairs/triads and walk around the room to listen in. 

    Scaffolds: Offer support in reading and understanding complex texts. Provide sentence starters to help students organize their thoughts. Walk around and provide feedback as students conduct research. 


    Day 4: Creating a Leader Showcase



    Purpose: To guide students in creating a visual representation of their research on a Hawaiʻi leader.

    Learning Outcome: Students will be able to create a visual representation of their research, highlighting the leader’s contributions and democratic values.

    Teacher Preparation


    Materials Needed

    • Construction paper
    • Markers
    • Crayons
    • Glue
    • Scissors
    • Computer if choosing digital presentation

    1. Introduction (5 minutes)
      1. Review Review democracy and democratic values
      2. Review research students conducted on their Hawaiʻi leader
    2. Learning Experience (30 minutes)
      1. Discuss different ways to visually represent information, such as posters, drawings, or digital presentations.
      2. Students will use their research to create a visual representation of their leader. They can choose to create a poster, a drawing, or a digital presentation.
        1. Poster 
        2. Drawing
        3. Digital presentation (Google Slides, Google Docs, Canva, etc.)
    3. Reflecting on our Learning (10 minutes)
      1. Have students pair up for a feedback protocol: Choose one of the feedback protocols
        1. Tell Me Something Good
          1. Have student #1 tell their partner 1 thing they like about their work 
          2. Have student #2 tell their partner 1 thing they like about their work
            1. Sentence starters:
              1. I really like the way you…
              2. I like how you…
        2. Helpful Hint
          1. Have students #1 offer one suggestion to help their partner improve their work
          2. Have students #2 offer one suggestion to help their partner improve their work
            1. Sentence starters:
              1. You could make your drawing even better by…
              2. One thing you could improve is…
        3. Feedback Rules: Be kind, Be specific. Be helpful. 
        4. Have students go back and use their feedback to make their project better.

    Scaffolding: Provide templates or outlines for students to follow. Offer support using art supplies and technology. Encourage creativity and originality in their projects. 


    Day 5: Celebrating Our Leaders


    Purpose: To celebrate the work of students and to recognize the importance of democratic values.

    Learning Outcome: Students will be able to reflect on their learning and share their projects with others.

    Teacher Preparation


    Materials Needed

    • Student projects

    1. Introduction (10 minutes)
      1. Review key democratic values and the contributions of Hawaiʻi leaders.
      2. Have students practice their presentation.
    2. Learning Experience (25 minutes)
      1. Set up classroom display of student projects. Have students take turns presenting their projects to the class. 
    3. Reflecting on our Learning (10 minutes)
      1. Lead a class discussion about the project. 
      2. Ask students to share what they learned and what they enjoyed most about the project.

    Community Leader Showcase Rubric


    Criteria  4 – Exemplary

    3 – Proficient

    2 – Developing

    1 – Beginning 

    Understanding of Leader

    SS.K-2.2.3: Gather facts from teacher and/or adult-curated sources to answer questions.

    Demonstrates a deep understanding of the leader’s life and contributions. 

    Demonstrates a good understanding of the leader’s life and contributions.

     

    Shows some understanding of the leader’s life and contributions.

     

    Lacks understanding of the leader’s life and contributions.

    Research Skills

    SS.K-2.2.3: Gather facts from teacher and/or adult-curated sources to answer questions.

    Conducts thorough research, using a variety of reliable sources.

    Conducts thorough research, using a variety of reliable sources.

    Conducts thorough research, using a variety of reliable sources.

     

    Conducts thorough research, using a variety of reliable sources.

    Creativity and Presentation

    SS.K-2.4.3: Present explanations using a variety of print, oral, and digital technologies.

    Creates a highly creative and engaging presentation.

    Creates a creative and engaging presentation.

    Creates a basic presentation.

    Presentation lacks creativity and engagement.

    Communication Skills

    SS.K-2.4.3: Present explanations using a variety of print, oral, and digital technologies.

     

    Clearly and confidently presents information to the class.

    Presents information clearly and confidently.

    Presents information but lacks clarity or confidence.

    Difficulty presenting information.

     


    Additional Resources


    PBS Hawaiʻi HIKI NŌ: “Local Heroes” Series

    • Description: This series, produced by students across Hawai’i, showcases inspiring stories of local heroes and community leaders. Some episodes focus on leaders who have made significant contributions to their communities by promoting fairness, respect, and responsibility.
    • Length: Most videos are around 5-10 minutes.
    • Link: Search for specific episodes of HIKI NŌ on PBS Hawai’i website or YouTube.

     

    “Aloha ʻĀina: Respect for the Land” (Hawai’i Legacy Forest)

    • Description: This short video (approx. 5 minutes) discusses how leaders and communities in Hawai’i work together to protect the land and natural resources, focusing on environmental responsibility and stewardship as a form of leadership.
    • Link: Available on YouTube or through environmental organizations in Hawai’i.

     

    “The Story of Queen Liliʻuokalani” (PBS LearningMedia)

    • Description: A short educational video that gives an introduction to Queen Liliʻuokalani, her leadership, and her contributions to Hawai’i, focusing on democratic values like fairness and respect.
    • Length: 3-5 minutes.
    • Link: Available on PBS LearningMedia.

     

    “Duke Kahanamoku: The Father of Surfing” (Hawai’i Tourism Authority)

    • Description: This video introduces students to Duke Kahanamoku, a leader in both sports and the community, who represented fairness, responsibility, and respect through his athletic achievements and influence on Hawaiian culture.
    • Length: 3-5 minutes.
    • Link: Available on YouTube via Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority.

     

    “Who Was Prince Kūhiō?” (Hawaiʻi News Now)

    • Description: A short video on Prince Kūhiō’s contributions to Hawai’i, particularly his role in politics and his work to preserve Hawaiian culture and advocate for the people.
    • Length: 5 minutes.
    • Link: Available on YouTube or Hawaiʻi News Now’s website.

     

    Books

    1. “Queen Liliuokalani: The Last Queen of Hawaiʻi” by Marlene Targ Brill
      • A simple biography that tells the story of Queen Liliuokalani’s life and contributions.
    2. “Duke Kahanamoku: Hawaiʻi’s Surfing Legend” by Eric A. K. H. Wong
      • An engaging story about Duke Kahanamoku’s life and achievements in surfing and sports.
    3. “Patsy Mink: Champion of the People” by Barbara E. K. O. Park
      • A child-friendly biography that highlights Patsy Mink’s life and her role in education and civil rights.
    4. “Father Damien: The Leper Priest” by Joan McGivern
      • This book introduces young readers to Father Damien’s work with leprosy patients in Hawaiʻi.
    5. “Prince Kuhio: A Hero for Hawaiʻi” by Andrew J. W. Kitagawa
      • A brief biography that explains Prince Kuhio’s contributions to Hawaiʻi and his advocacy for Hawaiian rights.

     

    Websites

    1. Hawaiʻi’s Story by Hawaiʻi’s Queen (http://www.Hawaiianhistory.org)
      • A kid-friendly website that shares stories and history about Hawaiian leaders and culture.
    2. PBS LearningMedia (https://www.pbslearningmedia.org)
      • Search for “Hawaiʻi leaders” to find videos and interactive lessons about significant figures in Hawaiian history.
    3. National Park Service (https://www.nps.gov)
      • Explore the history of Hawaiian national parks and figures like Father Damien through their educational resources.

     

    Videos

    1. “The Life of Duke Kahanamoku” (YouTube)
      • A short video explaining Duke Kahanamoku’s life and achievements.
    2. PBS Series on Hawaiian History
      • Look for episodes that focus on key historical figures in Hawaiʻi.

     

    Interactive Activities

    • Classroom Research Projects: Encourage students to use books and websites to create a poster or presentation about their chosen leader.
    • Virtual Field Trips: Explore online resources or virtual tours of places significant to Hawaiian history.