U.S. Westward Expansion
Created By:
Susan Racicot
Title/Role:
librarian
Organization/School Name:
West Elementary School
Location:
Massachusetts
Grade Level:
5 Type of Lesson:
Lesson in a unit Type of Schedule:
Fixed Collaboration Continuum:
Limited Content Area:
Social studies Content Topic:
U. S. Westward Expansion Scenario:
This library lesson can be coordinated with the classroom teachers to occur in conjunction with their lessons or it could stand alone. If working with the classroom teacher, assignments can be coordinated with their content and their grading needs. For instance, if they need another writing sample the text from this assignment can be used for that purpose. The library teacher will read a variety of books about 'The West' in the 1800's to students, including people, their lifestyles and the places they lived. Some titles may include, Annie Oakley, Bass Reeves, Lewis and Clark, John Freemont, sod houses, riverboat travel, Yellowstone etc. Students will be asked to discuss the difference between how we live and how people lived during this time period. Students will be asked to think about a related topic that interests them as a research project. This process may take several weeks in order to give students the necessary background knowledge needed to complete this project. The library teacher will also use Teachertube and Youtube video clips to show examples of the people and places from this time period. (Annie Oakley, The Grand Canyon, Yellowstone and Sodhouses are popular with students.) Overview:
Students will explore the significant changes that people experienced during the westward expansion of our country. We will discuss the many areas of people's lives that were different from what we currently experience. This includes: food, clothes, travel, houses, entertainment, landscape, wildlife etc. We will discuss why we are even talking about these things. Essential Question: Is it important for us to know about people and things that came before us? Final Product:
Students will be asked to make an avatar likeness of themselves which will present their facts about their research topic. This avatar will be posted in an electronic binder which will contain all their library technology products. Library Lesson:
Students will be able to demonstrate their understanding of the various resources available to them to find their facts. They will use the on-line catalogue to locate non-fiction text, on-line databases and the encyclopedia. Students will organize their facts in a useful way by giving speech to their avatar. Students will also demonstrate their technology skills by creating their multi-media persona and posting it in an electronic binder. Estimated Lesson Time:
120 minutes Have you taught this lesson before:
Yes Strategies for differentiation:
Allow students who have completed their final product to instruct the students who are struggling. This helps the student who completed the assignment become proficient and allows for peer instruction. Students who are struggling with locating their facts can complete the assignment with fewer facts. Students who want more of a challenge can go ahead and add more facts to their project.