Legends and Learning Program

Students (example) using Legends and Learning content

Why use the South Dakota Legends and Learning program?  

Built with Teachers in Mind 

  • We understand teachers must align their instruction with the required curriculum as they have limited time to integrate outside resources. For this reason, the Legends and Learning program includes all needed resources in one easy-to-access location. 

Simple 

  • The program includes three short 4th grade lesson plans related to leadership so the instruction can be integrated into the school day. 

Standards-based  

  • The lesson plans include select 4th grade South Dakota Content Standards from Social Studies, English Language Arts, and Educational Technology. 

Inspiring 

  • The lives of the South Dakota Hall of Fame Inductees that students will study include remarkable stories which show resilience, determination, and perseverance. Giving students the opportunity to explore the Inductees’ history and eventual success can motivate and encourage students to think about their futures and their own leadership qualities and realize they too can make a difference in the world. Through this program, it is hoped students will see South Dakota as a place which offers abundant opportunities to flourish as a person. 

Why Learn About Fellow South Dakotans?  

Society and social media bombard students with stories and images of celebrities and influencers which can leave both positive and negative impressions. However, often they motivate students to seek success in an unattainable manner. By studying stories of successful South Dakotans, students can see the paths everyday people, with similar backgrounds as theirs, took to build realistic successful careers and contribute to society through art, agriculture, business, and service.  

In building meaningful and successful lives, each South Dakota Hall of Fame Inductee focused on their unique skills and strengths. Their stories are filled with failure and success, overcoming obstacles, lessons learned and those who supported them along the way. Their stories are about life and leadership.  

During the lessons presented in the Legends and Learning program, students can engage in research and have opportunities to develop their reading, writing, vocabulary, speaking and listening, and technology skills.  

Program Goals:  

  • To provide South Dakota 4th grade teachers with an easy-to-use lesson resource focused on leadership. 

  • To provide opportunities for students to explore individuals from South Dakota who developed their potential to accomplish success and lead meaningful lives.  

  • To provide opportunities for students to understand leadership traits needed to reach individual goals.

  • To provide opportunities for students to identify leadership traits of individuals who contribute to society positively. 

  • To provide an opportunity for students to articulate an individual life goal and leadership traits needed to reach that goal.