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All grades  Project 2 weeks

"Settler Showdown: Colonies Come to Life!"

Allyson B
5.G.KGE.1
5.H.KH.1
1.I.UE.2
Productive Collaborator
Critical Thinker
+ 1 more
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Purpose

The purpose of this project is to immerse students in the historical context of early English settlements, fostering a deeper understanding of how settlers adapted to their new environment. Through hands-on activities and collaborative projects, students will draw connections between historical challenges and contemporary environmental issues. This experience aims to develop critical thinking, collaboration, and empathy, while encouraging students to apply historical lessons to modern-day problem-solving.

Learning goals

Students will explore how early English settlers adapted to their environment and draw connections to modern environmental challenges. They will engage in collaborative research, utilizing primary and secondary sources to understand historical contexts. The project will enhance skills in creating visual and digital representations, fostering critical thinking and problem-solving. Students will develop socio-emotional skills through active listening, empathy, and reflection, contributing to a deeper understanding of cultural diversity and community impact.
Standards
  • [Kentucky] 5.G.KGE.1 - Compare the lives of Kentucky settlers to those living in other areas during the early years of the United States.
  • [Kentucky] 5.H.KH.1 - Describe the role of Kentucky settlers in the American Revolution.
  • [Kentucky] 1.I.UE.2 - Construct responses to compelling and supporting questions about communities in Kentucky.
Competencies
  • Productive Collaborator - Engages with others to achieve a common goal through building positive relationships, actively listening, showing empathy, and making individual contributions to a larger group.
  • Critical Thinker - Thinks deeply and makes informed decisions to create solutions or new understanding supported by relevant and reliable evidence.
  • Engaged Citizen - Shows respect and empathy across differences, embraces diversity of opinion, seeks cultural understanding, participates in the democratic process to challenge the status quo, and makes a positive impact on their community and the world.

Products

Students will collaboratively create a multimedia project that includes a digital timeline with interactive elements such as videos, images, and audio recordings. This timeline will depict the journey and daily life of early settlers and draw connections to modern environmental challenges. Additionally, students will construct models or dioramas for the 'Settlers' Showcase,' allowing them to visually represent historical events and engage with the community. Throughout the project, students will maintain a daily reflection journal to track their progress and self-assess their contributions.

Launch

Begin the project with a 'Settlers' Storytelling Circle,' where students gather to share and listen to narratives about early English settlers. Encourage students to bring in stories from various perspectives, including those of settlers, indigenous peoples, and other groups affected by colonization. This activity will spark curiosity and set the stage for exploring how these historical experiences can inform solutions to contemporary challenges.

Exhibition

Students will host a 'Settlers' Showcase' where they present their interactive exhibits, including models, dioramas, and digital presentations. Community members, including parents and local historians, will be invited to explore the exhibits and engage in discussions with the students. The showcase will provide an opportunity for students to articulate their learning journey, demonstrate their understanding of early English settlers, and draw connections to modern-day environmental challenges.