Today I had planned to start our fourth quarter unit, the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair. Why? Because I’m interested in it. Um… yeah, that’s a lame reason to study something in class.
So, I thought about the unit… our essential question is “How does change occur over time?” Well, I asked my class what they were interested in…
- How has chess developed from the past?
- How has baseball shaped our history?
- How do some buildings become “historic landmarks”?
- How do foods come out of various cultures?
- How do myths become believable when there is no proof?
Chess, landmarks, foods, and myths. It’s past meets present.
You might be saying… well…. now what standards does THAT cover?
Nonfiction reading. Notetaking skills. Main idea. Summarizing information. Research skills. Analyzing information. Viewing history from multiple perspectives. Creating timelines. Understanding how our past shapes our present day. Creativity.
Do you know how many times todayI heard “Did you know…” from excited kids? That’s what learning is about. Follow your interests, go from there, and learn.
Next? This group will decide what their project will be. They have a toolbox of tech tools, a closet full of craft materials, and imaginations to power their ideas. Most of all, they have freedom. The freedom to learn.
