One of my favorite units to teach (as you probably know because every.single.time I talk about it I shout that to the roof! hee hee) is the American Revolution. At the beginning of the unit, I ask my students to find artifacts that would represent the time period, and then write WHY they believe these artifacts are appropriate. In doing this, the students are not only getting their brains focused on the American Revolution and what we are going to be studying, but also begin the process of critically thinking about objects, making inferences about them, and justifying their answers to others (just like they will on the state test....ahhh....always trying to make connections....)
The students came up with a variety of different things. Some of the objects were homemade, like these tea bottles/bags. I thought these were SO clever! I love how each of the students put something on the label identifying it as being from the time period...especially the "Tax" sign.
A book, of a song, that was a popular "dig" on the often disheveled Americans during the French and Indian war and Revolutionary time period. An actual $2 bill! (though we did make a photocopy of it for the bulletin board...didn't want money hanging up there) We had a much greater discussion than the actual writing that this student had written. What was the scene? Why was this important? Why was Jefferson important enough to have a unit of money?
For more posts on this era, click here and here.
What do you do to introduce this unit of history?
Stephanie,
ReplyDeleteI am beginning the same unit after the break and LOVE your artifact activity! Do you give this to the kids after you have started talking about it or before you start? Last year we were using the textbooks mainly for social studies. Thank goodness we are not using them this year, too heavy and dull. What do you use for lessons? Also, I found a cool video of different movie stars reciting the Declaration of Independence. If you have not seen this before you should check it out. Thanks for posting and sharing your ideas.
Declaration of Independence Video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jYyttEu_NLU
Sarah
Teaching Star Students
I haven't seen that video before. Thanks for posting!
DeleteAs for the scavenger hunt, I give it to them on the day we open the unit BUT we have already learned about colonization and what was happening in the time before the French and Indian war. So they do have some background knowledge. They then have a week or so to bring the items in, by which time we have learned a little about the revolution too.
For lessons, I use a mixture of pretty much everything I have gathered over the years! Mostly trade books, but I do use our social studies book some. The internet has a lot of great ideas too! Thank goodness for the internet. What did we do before it???
Stephanie
Hi Stephanie
ReplyDeleteThat is a really great idea for an introduction to the unit...and ultimately any unit with a significant time period. I always find myself struggling when it comes to teaching social studies because we do not necessarily have a currirulum except that we should be teaching about the state we live in first (which for us is NJ) and then the rest of the 49 states in region order. Any suggestions on how to start the conversation through history of the states? We are entering the north and south east. We are doing a project where every studnet has a different state to research but I would love to some how tie in time period pieces of history like colonization, explorers, declaration of independence, etc.
I am not very familiar with the NJ state standards, but I know in CA we spend a GREAT deal of time just on our state in 4th grade. We learn about the missions and the gold rush, the regions of the state...basically all things CA. Then in 5th grade, we learn about the rest of the United States. Do you do something like that or are you supposed to teach about NJ AND the rest of the US in one year?
DeleteStephanie
I do a fantastic unit called See the U.S.A. designed by an incredible company called Interact. It's amazing and my students "travel" across the U.S. and learn about many states..places to go.. there is math, language arts, social studies, map skills .. it's a fantastic alternative to state reports which are too boring. My students love this and can't wait to work on it each day
DeleteDina
I like to start American Revolution with The King's M & M's. Here is a link to the activity. I've also introduced our unit with a fake memo about taxing chocolate milk, jeans, and tennis shoes at school. The kids get really fired up! Then we discuss fairness, boycott, and writing to explain why we're upset. Thanks for sharing your awesome ideas!
ReplyDeleteYoung Daze in 5th Grade
I love the idea of taxing chocolate milk, jeans and tennis shoes. This is a great way to start, I am going to use your idea.
DeleteThanks for sharing!
Sarah
Teaching Star Students
Stephanie--thanks for this. We study the Revolution in the spring, so I'm bookmarking your great ideas.
ReplyDeleteYou are amazing! I love this unit as well! Your creativity never ceases to amaze me girl!! I love the way you allow for such creativity and for your students to own the learning. That is HUGE! Thank you, as always, for your awesome ideas!!
ReplyDeleteP.S.- Got your email! Working on that now!
YoungTeacherLove 5th Grade Blog
Thanks Kristine :)
DeleteTake your time on the email...no rush! ;)
Gosh, I'm going to miss teaching social studies even more now.... You make learning fun :)
ReplyDeleteI LOVE your ideas for the Revolutionary War! What curriculum do you use, or do you not have a social studies curriculum? What picture books do you use to teach these concepts? As a new teacher, I'm trying to learn all I can to supplement our curriculum, which is very lacking. ledbetter2@marshall.edu
ReplyDeleteThis is a great idea to collect "artifacts". I"ll try it this year. I have a few props and costumes to help make my pre revolution unit more real to my students. I have several posts that show my props on my blog 5th grade happenings with Mrs. Kempa.
ReplyDeleteBeti