Blog Post #3 - Integrating Lessons

   In my classroom I want to make sure to provide meaningful and memorable experiences. I think that an area that is often overlooked is Social Studies where I have experienced and witnessed several teachers simply teaching out of a textbook and expecting the students to memorize places and dates. I think history is something that we need to experience whether it be through museum  visits, guest speakers, recreating art, or even role playing events from that time. Due to these reasons I have chosen to incorporate social studies, writing (as a means to reflect upon their experiences), music, and movement in this lesson plan.
   Fourth grade students are expected to understand the geographic features of the Pacific Northwest and I think since several of our students are from this area it would be a great opportunity to emphasize their knowledge. I would have students create a song, either rap, blues, pop, country, etc., that emphasizes the geographic features as well as the characteristics of the Pacific Northwest (for example if they want to include the Seattle Seahawks they are encouraged!). This song could be created in groups of 1-3 students and would be performed for the class. The rubric would include 5+ geographic features mentioned, group collaboration, and so forth.
   After creating and singing these songs, we would have a grand discussion about why people would want to live in Washington. This would lead into our next activity which includes writing and movement. Each student would be given a number which would lead to the formation of 2 groups. Each group will receive an envelope that describes what they have, where they live, and what they need for survival. The groups would begin creating their shelters/resources and soon one of the groups would start trying to steal/barter/and remove the other group from their land. This "game" is actually a reenactment of colonization in the Pacific Northwest. Warning - this type of game does lead to anger and hostility for some students!! After completing the "game" the students would be asked to create an opinion piece about who they thought should get to keep the land and would support their information with reasons and information.
*Following lessons would include guest speakers from the Nisqually tribe; a research project about colonization, an  artistic representation of the resources available in the northwest, and hopefully a local field trip to a museum!
   

SS EALR 4th Geography 3.2.3
Understands that the geographic features of the Pacific Northwest have influenced the movement of people.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.4.1
Write opinion pieces on topics or texts, supporting a point of view with reasons and information.

http://www.corestandards.org/ELA-Literacy/W/4/

http://www.k12.wa.us/CurriculumInstruct/learningstandards.aspx