Lesson plan available for first grade teachers

On April 18, 1775, Paul Revere took his famous “midnight ride” to alert his neighbors of an incoming attack of British soldiers. In honor of the 250th anniversary of that ride, the South Dakota Department of Education (DOE) has created a lesson plan for first grade teachers and their students.

Using the book, “A Picture Book of Paul Revere” by David A. Adler (which the DOE provided to many classrooms throughout the state last year), the lesson helps students to understand Paul Revere’s role in the American Revolution, and the way he used signaling to stop the British when they attacked Lexington and Concord, Mass.

This is an opportunity to discuss Revere’s brave actions, and his clever way of ensuring he could learn of the plan of attack through a signal hung in the local church.

The lesson satisfies six social Studies Standards for first grade, and six English/Language Arts standards. It includes an art activity that students can do after the lesson.

Those interested in presenting the lesson to first graders are encouraged to do so on or near the anniversary of Paul Revere’s ride, April 18. Keep in mind that Good Friday falls on April 18, so if your school is not in session that day, or if you want to hang lanterns in a church, it would be a good idea to do it earlier in the week.

Teachers can access the lesson by contacting Allison Englund.