Route 66 Adventure: Landmarks and Legends

4th Grade Project 1 week

Route 66 Adventure: Landmarks and Legends

Krista Wyman

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Purpose

The purpose of this project is to immerse 4th-grade students in the rich history and cultural significance of Route 66 through hands-on exploration and creative expression. By engaging with nonfiction text and interactive activities, students will develop a deeper understanding of the landmarks and cultural sites along the route, appreciating their historical importance and relevance. This project aims to foster critical thinking, digital literacy, and personal reflection, allowing students to connect with the material in meaningful ways and share their insights with the community.

Learning goals

Students will develop an understanding of the historical and cultural significance of Route 66 by researching and identifying key landmarks and events. They will enhance their map-reading skills through the creation of a detailed Route 66 map, planning a hypothetical road trip. Additionally, students will build digital literacy by designing virtual presentations that incorporate multimedia elements, fostering creativity and personal reflection. Through peer feedback and exhibition activities, students will demonstrate their knowledge and growth in understanding Route 66's impact and importance.

Standards

Common Core - CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.4.3: Explain events, procedures, ideas, or concepts in a historical, scientific, or technical text, including what happened and why, based on specific information in the text.
Common Core - CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.4.7: Conduct short research projects that build knowledge through investigation of different aspects of a topic.
Common Core - CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.4.5: Add audio recordings and visual displays to presentations when appropriate to enhance the development of main ideas or themes.

Products

Students will create a detailed map of Route 66, highlighting key landmarks and cultural sites, which will serve as the basis for planning a hypothetical road trip. They will also produce a creative project showcasing a chosen landmark, such as a skit, poem, or digital presentation, to be shared during the Route 66 Showcase. Additionally, students will develop a virtual presentation or guided tour of their selected landmark, incorporating multimedia elements, to be featured in the Route 66 Virtual Tour exhibition. These projects will collectively demonstrate their understanding and personal connection to the historical and cultural significance of Route 66.

Launch

Begin the project with an immersive Route 66 experience by transforming the classroom into a "Route 66 Travel Agency." Set up stations representing different landmarks along the highway, complete with images, sounds, and artifacts. Invite students to "book" a virtual road trip by choosing landmarks they are curious about, sparking their interest and setting the stage for deeper exploration throughout the project.

Exhibition

Students will create a 'Route 66 Virtual Tour' using technology to showcase their understanding of the landmarks. They will design interactive online presentations or guided tours, incorporating multimedia elements such as images, videos, and narration. These virtual tours will be shared with parents and community members, offering them an opportunity to explore and engage with the students' projects from any location.

Plan

Week 1	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5
Activities	Route 66 Travel Agency Launch - Transform the classroom into a Route 66 Travel Agency with stations representing different landmarks, allowing students to explore images, sounds, and artifacts to spark interest in the highway's history (15 min) Landmark Selection and Research - Students select a landmark from Route 66 they are curious about and begin researching its historical and cultural significance using primary and secondary sources (30 min)	Historical Significance Deep Dive - Students conduct research on the key events and developments that occurred along their chosen landmark on Route 66, gathering information from nonfiction texts (20 min) Map Creation - Students practice map-reading skills by creating a detailed map of Route 66, including their selected landmark, cultural sites, and geographic features (25 min)	Hypothetical Road Trip Planning - Using their maps, students plan a hypothetical road trip along Route 66, incorporating their selected landmark and other significant sites (20 min) Digital Literacy Workshop - Students begin developing digital literacy skills by learning how to use online resources and tools to create a virtual presentation or guided tour of their chosen landmark (25 min)	Multimedia Presentation Development - Students incorporate multimedia elements such as images, videos, and narration into their virtual presentation or guided tour of their selected Route 66 landmark (30 min) Route 66 Memory Map Reflection - Facilitate a 'Route 66 Memory Map' activity where students draw and annotate a map highlighting the landmarks that resonated with them and explain why these sites are significant to them personally (15 min)	Route 66 Showcase Preparation - Students prepare to present their favorite landmark through a creative medium of their choice, such as a skit, poem, or digital presentation (20 min) Peer Feedback Session - Organize a Route 66 gallery walk where students display their creative projects and engage in peer feedback sessions, discussing understanding and growth in knowledge about the landmarks (25 min)
Deliverables	1. Detailed Route 66 map with key landmarks and cultural sites 2. Annotated 'Route 66 Memory Map' with personal reflections
Preparation	1. Set up classroom stations with images, sounds, and artifacts of Route 66 landmarks 2. Provide copies of 'Route 66' by Maria Nelson and access to digital research tools 3. Gather art supplies for map creation (paper, colored pencils, markers) 4. Prepare digital devices for virtual presentations (computers, tablets) 5. Collect multimedia resources (images, videos) related to Route 66 landmarks