Lesson Plan
Parade Plan
Students will collaboratively plan and hold a mini community parade, each showcasing one act of citizenship and articulating how it benefits our community.
This lesson builds celebration, community pride, and reflection skills by helping Pre-K students recognize their role in the community, express creativity, and practice speaking about their contributions.
Audience
Pre-K Students
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Hands-on craft and parade with peer presentations.
Materials
Construction Paper, Markers, Crayons, and Colored Pencils, String or Sticks for Banners, Tape and Glue, Parade Route Slides, Parade Announcer Script, Float Banner Craft Guide, and Citizenship Showcase Checklist
Prep
Prepare Parade Supplies
5 minutes
- Gather all art supplies: construction paper, markers, crayons, colored pencils, tape, glue, and string/sticks.
- Print or queue up Parade Route Slides for display.
- Review the steps in Float Banner Craft Guide so you can assist students.
- Familiarize yourself with the order and cues in Parade Announcer Script and criteria in Citizenship Showcase Checklist.
Step 1
Plan Parade Themes
5 minutes
- Display Parade Route Slides to show our parade path.
- Briefly discuss “citizenship actions” (helping, sharing, cleaning up).
- Invite each student to choose one action they want to highlight in the parade.
Step 2
Banner and Prop Creation
10 minutes
- Give each student construction paper and art supplies.
- Guide students to draw or write their chosen action on a banner using Float Banner Craft Guide.
- Help attach strings or sticks with tape/glue so banners are parade-ready.
Step 3
Classroom Hallway Parade
7 minutes
- Line students at the start of the hallway route.
- Use Parade Announcer Script to introduce each student’s turn.
- Play simple rhythm claps or soft music as students march by with their banners.
Step 4
Peers Explain Their Action
5 minutes
- After a student finishes the march, they hold up their banner and say: “I help my community by ___.”
- Classmates listen, cheer, and give a thumbs-up.
Step 5
Closing Circle and Gratitude Share
3 minutes
- Gather students in a circle at the end of the parade.
- Use the Citizenship Showcase Checklist to recap what we saw (clear banner, clear explanation, cheering).
- Each student shares one thing they’re proud of and thanks a friend for cheering.
Slide Deck
Welcome to Our Parade!
Get ready to march and showcase your citizenship action.
Welcome students warmly and build excitement. Say: “Today we will have our very own community parade! We will march through the hallway to show our banners and share how we help our community.”
Parade Route Overview
Classroom → Hallway → Art Display → Return to Classroom
Show the simplified route diagram or draw on the board. Point to each arrow as you speak. Say: “We start in our classroom, walk down the hallway, turn at the art display, and finish back in our classroom circle.”
Start: Classroom Door
Line up here to begin the parade.
Point to the classroom door location on your map or slide. Cue students: “Line up here, one behind the other, holding your banners.”
Hallway Path
Walk straight down the hallway.
Describe the hallway path. Say: “Walk straight ahead, keeping a safe space between you and your friend.” Point out the left turn location.
Turn at the Art Display
Turn left here.
Highlight the art display on the wall or a landmark. Tell students: “When you reach the art display, turn left and head back toward our classroom.”
Finish: Classroom Circle
Return to classroom and gather for closing circle.
Explain the finish line. Say: “When you get back to the classroom door, enter quietly and come to our carpet for closing circle.”
Parade Reminders
• Hold banners high
• Walk safely
• Cheer for friends
Review parade behavior expectations: “Hold your banners up high so everyone can see, walk safely in a line, and cheer for your friends as they pass by.”
Script
Parade Announcer Script
Use this word-for-word script to introduce and celebrate each marcher in our classroom parade. Replace [Student Name] with each child’s name and repeat the pattern for everyone in line.
Teacher says: "Welcome to our Community Parade! I’m so excited to see how each of you helps our community!"
Teacher says: "Friends, please line up behind me at the classroom door, holding your banners up high."
---
Teacher says: "Our first marcher is [Student Name]! [Student Name], come show us how you help our community!"
(Pause as the child marches by, lead classmates in quiet clapping or rhythm pats.)
Teacher says: "Great job, [Student Name]! Let’s give them a big cheer—hip hip hooray!"
---
Teacher says: "Next up is [Student Name]! Walk proudly and hold your banner high so everyone can see your action."
(Pause for march)
Teacher says: "Wonderful, [Student Name]! Thank you for sharing how you help."
---
(Continue the same two-line pattern for each remaining marcher:)
• “Our next marcher is [Student Name]…”
• “Fantastic job, [Student Name]!”
---
Teacher says (after the last child): "Thank you, friends! You all did an amazing job sharing how you help our community. Let’s give everyone a round of applause!"
Teacher says: "Now, let’s quietly return to our classroom circle for our closing gratitude share."
Project Guide
Float Banner Craft Guide
Materials Needed:
- Construction paper (one sheet per student)
- Markers, crayons, or colored pencils
- Tape or glue
- String, ribbon, or popsicle sticks for handles
Step-by-Step Instructions:
- Choose your paper: Pick a bright color for your banner.
- Cut or fold: If you want a flag shape, fold the paper in half and trim the edges into a triangle or rectangle.
- Draw your action: In the center of your banner, draw a picture showing how you help our community (e.g., sharing toys, picking up trash, helping a friend).
- Write your message: Under your drawing, write or have the teacher help write: “I help my community by ___.”
- Decorate: Add fun designs—stickers, glitter glue, colored borders—around your picture to make it shine.
- Attach handles: Turn your banner over and tape or glue a piece of string or a stick across the top so you can hold it up high during the parade.
- Final check: Hold your banner up and make sure everyone can read and see your drawing clearly.
Teacher Tips:
- Pre-cut paper shapes for children who need extra support.
- Demonstrate each step with a sample banner.
- Encourage creativity but remind students to keep their message legible.
Rubric
Citizenship Showcase Checklist
Use this simple 3-point checklist to assess each student’s participation in our Community Parade. Circle the number that best describes their performance for each criterion.
| Criteria | 1: Needs Support | 2: Almost There | 3: Great Job! |
|---|---|---|---|
| Banner Visibility & Creativity | Hard to see or missing art/text | Visible but drawings or message are unclear | Clear, colorful, and easy to read |
| Explanation Clarity | Struggled to say the sentence | Said part of “I help my community by…” | Clearly stated full sentence |
| Peer Engagement | Little or no cheering/listening | Some cheering or listening | Actively cheered and listened respectfully |
Scoring Guide:
- 1 point = Needs Support (teacher prompts or modeling needed)
- 2 points = Almost There (student shows emerging skill)
- 3 points = Great Job! (student meets the expectation independently)
Total Possible Points: 9
Reflect: Which areas will we celebrate, and which might need extra practice next time?
<Student Response Area>