Trail of Tears: Journey Through History

5th Grade

Project
4 weeks

Trail of Tears: Journey Through History

Viridiana P

Purpose

Immerse yourself in the rich history of Native American communities by exploring the Trail of Tears, understanding its profound impact on their lives and future. Through hands-on activities, storytelling, and collaboration with cultural centers, you'll gain a deeper appreciation of the resilience and resistance of these communities. This project encourages you to connect past events with present realities, fostering empathy and a comprehensive understanding of historical narratives.

Learning goals

Explore the historical context and consequences of the Trail of Tears, focusing on its impact on Native American communities. Develop skills in critical thinking and empathy by engaging with firsthand accounts and traditional stories. Enhance creativity and collaboration through the design of a mural and timeline poster. Practice presentation and communication skills during the 'Journey Through History' exhibition.

Standards

Common Core - CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.5.3: Explain the relationships or interactions between two or more individuals, events, ideas, or concepts in a historical text.
Common Core - CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.5.7: Conduct short research projects that use several sources to build knowledge through investigation of different aspects of a topic.
Common Core - CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.5.4: Report on a topic or text, present an opinion, or recount an experience with appropriate facts and relevant, descriptive details, speaking clearly at an understandable pace.

Products

Create a collaborative mural that visually narrates the journey and experiences of Native American communities during the Trail of Tears, using symbols and imagery from the storytelling session. Design a timeline poster that captures key events and includes quotes from Native American leaders, to be displayed in the 'Journey Through History' exhibition. These products will serve as tangible reflections of your learning and understanding of the historical impact of the Trail of Tears.

Launch

Begin with a 'Time Traveler's Workshop' where you create period-appropriate clothing or simple artifacts. This hands-on activity will help you visualize and empathize with the experiences of those who lived through the Trail of Tears. Engage with materials that reflect the era, setting the stage for your exploration of history. This immersive experience will spark curiosity and set the tone for your project journey.

Exhibition

Invite family, friends, and community members to your 'Journey Through History' exhibition. Display your timeline posters and collaborative mural alongside artifacts and visual art inspired by the Trail of Tears. Encourage visitors to explore and discuss the historical impact and personal stories shared during the storytelling session. Facilitate a gallery walk where you can view and provide feedback on each other's work, fostering a deeper understanding of the project's themes.

Week 1	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5
Activities	Time Traveler's Workshop Introduction - Discuss the historical context of the Trail of Tears and begin crafting simple artifacts or period-appropriate clothing to set the stage for exploration (15 min)	Story Mapping Session - Create a story map outlining key events leading up to the Trail of Tears, focusing on broken treaties and resistance efforts by Native American nations (15 min)	Artifact Exploration - Examine images or replicas of artifacts related to the Trail of Tears and discuss their significance, fostering empathy and understanding of the historical period (15 min)	Timeline Poster Planning - Begin drafting a timeline poster by identifying significant events and quotes from Native American leaders related to the Trail of Tears (15 min)	Collaborative Mural Design - Brainstorm and sketch ideas for a mural depicting the journey and experiences of Native American communities during the Trail of Tears (15 min)
Deliverables	1. Create a Canva presentation timeline highlighting key events leading up to the Trail of Tears.
Preparation	1. Gather historical resources including books, articles, and videos on the Trail of Tears. 2. Prepare Canva accounts for students and provide tutorials on creating presentations. 3. Coordinate with a local Native American cultural center to arrange a storytelling session. 4. Collect art supplies for the 'Time Traveler's Workshop,' including fabric and craft materials for creating period-appropriate clothing or artifacts.

Week 2	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5
Activities	Explore Broken Treaties - Investigate the role of broken treaties in the defeat of Native American nations by reviewing historical documents and discussing how these treaties impacted their communities (15 min)	Resistance and Assimilation - Analyze the resistance of Native American nations to encroachment and assimilation by reading eyewitness accounts and noting key strategies and outcomes (15 min)	Trail of Tears Storytelling Preparation - Prepare for the storytelling session by researching quotes from Native American leaders and community members related to the Trail of Tears (15 min)	Design Timeline Poster - Begin designing a timeline poster that highlights key events leading up to, during, and after the Trail of Tears using Canva, incorporating the quotes gathered (15 min)	Collaborative Mural Planning - Plan the collaborative mural by selecting symbols and imagery that depict the journey and experiences of Native American communities during the Trail of Tears (15 min)
Deliverables	1. Initial sketches and design ideas for the timeline poster, including selected key events and quotes. 2. Draft sketches for the collaborative mural, incorporating symbols and imagery inspired by the storytelling session.
Preparation	1. Coordinate with a local Native American cultural center to schedule the storytelling session. 2. Gather materials for the timeline poster, including poster board, markers, and printed quotes from Native American leaders. 3. Prepare art supplies for mural sketches, such as large paper, pencils, and colored pencils. 4. Provide access to research materials, including books and online resources about the Trail of Tears. 5. Arrange a space for the critique session with your teacher, ensuring a quiet area with space to display your sketches.

Week 3	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5
Activities	Showcase Timeline to Teacher - Present your Canva timeline poster draft to the teacher for feedback and suggestions for improvement (15 min)	Revise Timeline Poster - Incorporate teacher feedback into your timeline poster, ensuring all key events and quotes are accurately represented (15 min)	Collaborative Mural Creation - Begin painting or assembling the collaborative mural, focusing on accurately depicting symbols and imagery discussed (15 min)	Mural Detailing - Add details to the mural, ensuring the journey and experiences of Native American communities during the Trail of Tears are clearly conveyed (15 min)	Peer Review Session - Conduct a peer review of your timeline poster and mural progress, providing constructive feedback to classmates (15 min)
Deliverables	1. Complete the collaborative mural depicting the Trail of Tears, ready for display in the exhibition. 2. Finalize and submit your individual timeline poster with all required elements, including quotes and key events.
Preparation	1. Gather materials for mural creation, such as large paper or canvas, paints, brushes, and other art supplies. 2. Provide access to digital resources and primary sources related to the Trail of Tears for research and timeline poster completion. 3. Coordinate with the local Native American cultural center to ensure availability of storytelling resources and materials. 4. Arrange a space for the critique and revision session, ensuring technology is available for presenting Canva presentations. 5. Organize practice sessions for the 'Journey Through History' exhibition, focusing on presentation skills and historical content.

Week 4	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5
Activities	Final Timeline Poster Review - Fine-tune your timeline poster, ensuring clarity and accuracy of events and quotes, in preparation for the exhibition (15 min)	Mural Completion - Finalize the collaborative mural by adding finishing touches and ensuring all imagery and symbols are vividly represented (15 min)	Exhibition Setup - Arrange the exhibition space, ensuring your timeline poster and mural are displayed prominently alongside any other artifacts (15 min)	Exhibition Preview - Conduct a walkthrough of the exhibition, practicing your presentation skills by discussing your work with peers (15 min)	Journey Through History Exhibition - Host the exhibition, engaging visitors by sharing insights and stories about the Trail of Tears, fostering discussion and reflection (15 min)
Deliverables	1. Complete and present your timeline poster with integrated quotes and key events. 2. Collaborative mural depicting the Trail of Tears journey, ready for exhibition. 3. Revised Canva presentation.
Preparation	1. Gather materials for mural creation, including paint, brushes, and any symbolic elements discussed. 2. Coordinate with the local Native American cultural center to ensure the storytelling session's stories are accurately reflected in your work. 3. Set up the exhibition space, arranging posters and murals for optimal visibility. 4. Prepare any technology or equipment needed for presentations, such as laptops or projectors for Canva presentations. 5. Organize feedback forms for visitors to provide reflections and questions during the exhibition.