Introduction

This lesson was developed as part of the Yorkville District #115's WebQuest
workshop.  It was developed to challenge students to integrate and apply
knowledge learned in fifth grade social studies class.

Content Area and Grade Level

This lesson is designed for our fifth grade social studies classes during their study of the Colonial period of American history.  The final product is a Colonial artifact introduced through an oral presentation.  To complete this project, group collaboration will be necessary as well as the usage of imagination. In addition, a combination of literary and internet skills will produce quality recreated historical dialogues.

Curriculum Standards

Depending upon the colonial background and artifact to be researched, this lesson could address any combination of the following Illinois State Learning Standards:

14.D2 Explain ways that individuals and groups influence and shape public policy.

14.F2 Identify consistencies and inconsistencies between expressed United States political traditions and ideas and actual practices (eg. Freedom of speech, right to bear arms, slavery, voting rights).

16.A.2a Read historical stories and determine events which influenced their writing.

16.A.2b Compare different stories about a historical figure or event and analyze differences in the portrayals and perspectives they present.

16.A.2c Ask questions and seek answers by collecting and analyzing data from historic documents, images and other literary and nonliterary sources.

16.B.2a (US) Describe how the European colonies in North America developed politically.

16.B.2b (US) Identify major causes of the American Revolution and describe the consequences of the Revolution through the early national period, including the roles of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin.

16.B.2d (US) Identify major political events and leaders within the United States historical eras since the adoption of the Constitution, including the westward expansion.

16.C.2a (US) Describe how slavery and indentured servitude influenced the early economy of the United States.

16.D.2a (US) Describe the various individual motives for settling in colonial America.

16.E.2a (US) Identify environmental factors that drew settlers to the state and region.

17.A.2b Use maps and other geographic representations and instruments to gather information about people, places and environments.

17.B.2a Describe how physical and human processes shape spatial patterns including erosion, agriculture and settlement.

18.A.2 Explain ways in which language stories, folk tales, music, media and artistic creations serve as expressions of culture.
 
 

Implementation Overview

This lesson has been designed to cover a three to four week period.

Resources Needed

Resources needed to implement this lesson include:

Internet access

Learning Center access

Entry Level Skills and Knowledge

Prior background knowledge and class discussions that are based upon the student textbook, Build Our Nation, will be necessary for completion of this project.

Evaluation

The success lesson is based upon  the outcomes determined from our Oral Presentation Rubric.

The Individual Participation Rubric will give additional feedback from a student perspective.
 
 

Conclusion

This lesson is a work in progress. Hopefully, our students will skillfully integrate their imagination with their research to create a quality piece of work. Please send us any suggestions or comments.