Exploring Family

Students read Who’s in a Family? by Robert Skutch to learn about families and the many different people that can be in a family, then create a "Family Map" to represent their own family.

Similar and Different

Students analyze key details in an informational text to learn how to identify similarities and differences. Then, students practice identifying a similarity and difference between two families. Students also work with a partner to learn about the similarities and differences between their own families.

Comparing and Contrasting

Students practice compare and contrast skills while exploring their own family’s similarities and differences. Students read Families Around the World by Margriet Ruurs, as a class, to learn about unique families in different countries. Then, students work in pairs to compare and contrast their own unique families.

Families are Unique

Students find common ground and celebrate differences among their families. They read the book Who’s In My Family? by Robie H. Harris to start a conversation about their own families. This lesson supports students in recognizing that there are many ways to be a family and provides more practice with analyzing key details.

My Family Is Special (Checkpoint Assessment)

Through this Essential Question, students have explored and appreciated different ways to be a family. This final lesson may be used as a checkpoint assessment of cumulative learning throughout this Essential Question. Here, students create a design, inspired by Faith Ringgold’s story quilts, that describes, illustrates, and celebrates their unique family.