Revolutionary Road: Exploring History and Literacy in 5th Grade.

5th Grade

Project
4 weeks

Revolutionary Road: Exploring History and Literacy in 5th Grade.

Monica Plascencia

Purpose

The purpose of this project is to engage 5th-grade students in exploring the American Revolution through interactive, real-world learning experiences aligned with California social studies and ELA standards. By participating in activities such as the 'Colonial Immersion Day' and the 'Revolutionary Fair,' students will investigate the revolution's impact on various groups, fostering critical thinking and communication skills. This project encourages students to analyze historical evidence, create multimedia presentations, and reflect on their personal growth and understanding of America's historical development.

Learning goals

Students will explore the causes and effects of the American Revolution, focusing on how it influenced various groups in the colonies. They will enhance their critical thinking and analytical skills by examining primary sources and artifacts provided by the local historical society. The project will also strengthen students' communication and presentation skills through collaborative multimedia projects and interactive exhibitions.

Standards

California History-Social Science Content Standards - HSS.5.5: Students understand the causes of the American Revolution.
California Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts - CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.5.1: Quote accurately from a text when explaining what the text says explicitly and when drawing inferences from the text.
California Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts - CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.5.4: Report on a topic or text, or present an opinion, sequencing ideas logically and using appropriate facts and relevant, descriptive details to support main ideas or themes; speak clearly at an understandable pace.

Products

Students will create a multimedia presentation narrating the American Revolution's impact on various groups, supported by primary sources, aligning with 5th grade California social studies and ELA standards. They will design and build a scale model of a colonial village with interactive QR codes linking to digital content about pre-revolutionary life and events. These products will be showcased at the 'Revolutionary Fair,' where students engage visitors with their findings and interactive activities.

Launch

Begin the project with an engaging 'Colonial Immersion Day,' where students dress in period costumes and participate in reenactments of colonial life, aligning with 5th grade California social studies and ELA standards. Facilitate hands-on workshops like candle making and writing with quills to offer a tactile understanding of the era. This immersive experience will ignite curiosity and provide a foundational context for exploring the essential question about the American Revolution's impact on diverse groups.

Exhibition

Students will host a 'Revolutionary Fair' where they set up interactive booths featuring their multimedia presentations, aligning with 5th grade California social studies and ELA standards. Each booth will engage visitors with activities that showcase the impact of the American Revolution on various groups. Students will use primary sources from the local historical society to support their findings, creating an immersive and educational experience for attendees.

Week 1	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5
Activities	Launch the project with 'Colonial Immersion Day,' allowing students to dress in period costumes, engage in reenactments, and participate in hands-on workshops such as candle making and writing with quills.	Introduce the essential questions and project goals through a class discussion about the socio-political and economic factors leading to the American Revolution, using storytelling and role-play to enhance engagement.	Collaborate with the local historical society to provide students with access to primary source documents and artifacts. Facilitate a session where students explore these resources to gather evidence about life in the colonies before the revolution.	Students conduct preliminary research focusing on the impact of pre-revolutionary events on different groups within the colonies, using primary sources to support their findings.	Organize peer review sessions where students share their initial research findings in small groups, receive constructive feedback, and refine their research questions and focus areas.
Deliverables	1. Submit a research proposal that outlines the chosen group and specific pre-revolutionary events to be analyzed, including a rationale for their significance. 2. Compile a preliminary list of primary sources and artifacts to be utilized in the multimedia presentation, accompanied by a brief analysis of each source.
Preparation	1. Prepare costumes and materials for 'Colonial Immersion Day,' including supplies for candle making and quill writing workshops to ensure an immersive experience. 2. Coordinate with the local historical society to arrange access to primary sources and artifacts, facilitating student exploration and analysis. 3. Create and distribute a research proposal template to guide students in structuring their project focus and ensuring clarity in their objectives. 4. Set up a schedule for peer review sessions, providing guidelines for constructive feedback to help students enhance their research and presentation skills.

Week 2	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5
Activities	Conduct in-depth research on the chosen group and pre-revolutionary events using primary sources and artifacts from the local historical society.	Draft an outline for the multimedia presentation, focusing on the impact of the American Revolution on the chosen group, supported by primary sources.	Begin designing and constructing elements for the scale model of a colonial village, ensuring it reflects the chosen group's perspective.	Participate in a critique and revision session where students present their outlines and model designs to peers for feedback.	Integrate QR code technology by planning digital content that will accompany the scale model, highlighting key historical insights.
Deliverables	1. Submit a detailed outline of the multimedia presentation, including key points and supporting evidence from primary sources. 2. Complete initial design sketches and a list of materials needed for the scale model of the colonial village.
Preparation	1. Facilitate access to digital tools and resources needed for multimedia presentation development. 2. Coordinate additional support from the local historical society for students requiring further primary source analysis. 3. Prepare materials and space for model construction, including crafting supplies and technology for QR code integration. 4. Organize and schedule critique sessions, providing criteria for peer feedback and revision guidance.

Week 3	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5
Activities	Finalize the design and construction of the scale model of the colonial village, ensuring all interactive elements are incorporated and accurate representations of pre-revolutionary life are included.	Develop and refine the multimedia presentation by integrating feedback from previous critique sessions and ensuring all primary sources are effectively used to support historical narratives.	Conduct a virtual or in-person session with a representative from the local historical society to discuss key historical insights and validate students' interpretations of the American Revolution's impact on various groups.	Prepare and test the QR code technology to ensure proper linkage to digital content, offering a smooth user experience during the upcoming 'Revolutionary Fair.'	Engage in a final peer review session where students present their completed models and multimedia presentations, focusing on clarity, historical accuracy, and engagement strategies, making necessary revisions based on peer feedback.
Deliverables	1. Submit the completed scale model of the colonial village, incorporating all interactive elements and QR codes linked to digital content. 2. Finalize the multimedia presentation, ensuring all elements are cohesive, historically accurate, and supported by primary sources, ready for the exhibition.
Preparation	1. Ensure all necessary materials and resources are available for the final construction and detailing of the colonial village model, including any additional crafting supplies. 2. Coordinate with the local historical society to arrange a guest session for students to interact and validate their historical interpretations, either virtually or in person. 3. Set up technology and software needed for QR code integration and testing, ensuring they function properly and link to student-created digital content. 4. Organize and facilitate the final peer review session, providing guidelines for effective critique and revision to ensure students are well-prepared for the exhibition.

Week 4	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4
Activities	Conduct a full dress rehearsal of the 'Revolutionary Fair,' where students practice presenting their multimedia projects and interactive activities to classmates, simulating the final exhibition setup.	Host a reflective discussion circle where students share their insights on how the American Revolution impacted different groups and discuss their personal learning and growth throughout the project.	Set up the 'Revolutionary Fair' exhibition space, ensuring each booth is properly arranged with multimedia presentations, scale models, and interactive elements for visitor engagement.	Facilitate the 'Revolutionary Fair,' inviting community members, school staff, and family to visit the exhibition. Students will engage with visitors, answer questions, and demonstrate their understanding of historical events and their impact.
Deliverables	1. Host a successful 'Revolutionary Fair' exhibition where students showcase their multimedia presentations and scale models to the school community. 2. Submit a reflective journal entry summarizing personal growth, historical insights, and socio-emotional skills developed throughout the project.
Preparation	1. Coordinate with the school administration and community partners to organize the event logistics for the 'Revolutionary Fair,' including space allocation, visitor invitations, and schedule. 2. Prepare materials and equipment needed for the exhibition, such as projectors, screens, and QR code readers to support multimedia and interactive components. 3. Facilitate a rehearsal session, providing feedback on presentation skills, booth setup, and engagement strategies to ensure students are prepared for the exhibition. 4. Compile and distribute a reflection guide to help students articulate their learning experiences and personal growth in their journal entries.