1-Pager
Middle School Grade  Project 5 weeks

"History Guardians: Community Defense Quest!"

AnGelle M
1-pager

Purpose

This project engages students in exploring historical events from 1785 to 1900 to understand their impact on community safety and development. Through hands-on activities and collaborative projects, students will connect past lessons to present-day challenges, fostering a deeper understanding of socio-emotional concepts and community dynamics. By participating in a Heritage Hackathon and presenting at a community history fair, students will actively contribute to creating innovative solutions for a safer, more inclusive community.

Learning goals

Students will explore how historical events from 1785 to 1900 influenced community safety and development, drawing connections to present-day challenges. They will engage in critical thinking and collaboration to develop innovative solutions for contemporary community safety issues. Through reflective journaling and project presentations, students will deepen their understanding of socio-emotional concepts and historical impacts, fostering skills in research, communication, and problem-solving.
Standards
  • Common Core - CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.6-8.7: Integrate visual information (e.g., in charts, graphs, photographs, videos, or maps) with other information in print and digital texts.
  • Common Core - CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.6-8.7: Conduct short research projects to answer a question (including a self-generated question), drawing on several sources and generating additional related, focused questions that allow for multiple avenues of exploration.
  • Common Core - CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.8.5: Integrate multimedia and visual displays into presentations to clarify information, strengthen claims and evidence, and add interest.

Products

Throughout the project, students will create a series of reflective journal entries that capture their evolving understanding of historical events and their socio-emotional growth. By the end of the project, they will produce a digital portfolio showcasing their research, reflections, and innovative solutions developed during the 'Heritage Hackathon.' Additionally, students will prepare presentations for a community history fair, where they will display projects that connect past events to current community safety initiatives.

Launch

Kick off the project with a dynamic 'Heritage Hackathon' where students form teams to brainstorm and develop creative solutions to modern community safety challenges, inspired by historical events from 1785-1900. This interactive launch will set the stage for collaborative learning and critical thinking, as students dive into research and idea generation. The hackathon will include guest speakers from local history societies and community safety organizations to provide context and inspiration, encouraging students to think deeply about the connections between past and present.

Exhibition

Students will participate in a community history fair where they present their projects, connecting historical events from 1785-1900 to current community safety practices. This exhibition will feature interactive displays and digital portfolios showcasing their research, reflections, and innovative solutions. The event will invite community members, families, and local historians to engage with students' work, fostering a dialogue on how historical insights can inform a safer and more inclusive community today.