"Kentucky's Coolest: Team Up and Discover!"

4th Grade

Project
4 weeks

"Kentucky's Coolest: Team Up and Discover!"

leslie

Purpose

The purpose of this learning experience is to immerse 4th-grade students in the rich cultural history of Kentucky by collaboratively exploring the life and contributions of a notable Kentuckian. Through hands-on activities, creative expression, and community engagement, students will develop research, communication, and critical thinking skills. This project aims to foster a deeper understanding of Kentucky's cultural heritage while encouraging students to connect historical contributions to their own lives and communities.

Learning goals

Students will develop research skills by gathering information from diverse sources to understand the contributions of a famous Kentuckian. They will enhance their collaborative communication abilities through teamwork in planning and executing project activities, ensuring all voices are included. Creative expression will be fostered as students engage in artistic projects, such as murals, to visually represent historical concepts. Critical thinking will be sharpened as students analyze the impact of the Kentuckian's contributions during a mock town hall, considering various perspectives.

Standards

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.4.1: Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions with diverse partners on grade 4 topics and texts, building on others' ideas and expressing their own clearly.
Common Core - CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.4.4: Report on a topic or text, tell a story, or recount an experience in an organized manner, using appropriate facts and relevant, descriptive details to support main ideas or themes.

Products

Throughout the project, students will collaboratively create a visual timeline and a mural inspired by the famous Kentuckian's life and contributions. They will also draft creative writing pieces and role-play scripts for the Living History Day. By the end, students will present their timeline and mural at the Kentucky Culture Fest, showcasing their understanding and artistic interpretations to the community. Additionally, they will participate in a mock town hall meeting, demonstrating their critical thinking and communication skills.

Launch

Kick off the project with a vibrant 'Living History Day,' where students transform into the famous Kentuckian and other historical figures, engaging in dynamic role-play activities. Invite local historians or museum staff to enrich the experience with storytelling sessions, immersing students in the historical context. Follow this with a 'Kentucky Storytelling Circle,' where a local storyteller shares captivating tales, inspiring students to craft their own short stories about the famous Kentuckian's contributions.

Exhibition

Students will host a 'Kentucky Culture Fest' where they will present their collaborative mural or art piece inspired by the famous Kentuckian's contributions. The event will be open to community partners, families, and local artists, creating a vibrant celebration of Kentucky culture. Students will also have the opportunity to perform their role-play from the mock town hall meeting, providing a dynamic and interactive experience for attendees. This exhibition will serve as a culmination of their learning, allowing students to share their creative expressions and insights with the broader community.

Week 1	Day 1
Activities	Project Introduction and Essential Question Exploration - Introduce the project by discussing the essential question about the contributions of a famous Kentuckian to Kentucky culture, setting the stage for the learning journey ahead (25 min)
Deliverables	1. A draft of a creative writing piece inspired by the famous Kentuckian's contributions. 2. Initial research notes and a list of sources about the chosen Kentuckian. 3. A rough sketch of the visual timeline highlighting key contributions.
Preparation	1. Secure local historians or museum staff and a storyteller for 'Living History Day' and the 'Kentucky Storytelling Circle.' 2. Gather costumes or props for students to use during role-play activities. 3. Prepare a list of resources, including books, articles, and online databases, for students to use for research. 4. Set up a digital platform for students to share their creative writing drafts and receive feedback. 5. Provide art supplies for students to begin sketching their visual timeline projects.

Week 2	Day 1
Activities	Research Session - Students work in pairs to use online databases and library resources to gather information about the famous Kentuckian's contributions to Kentucky culture, honing research skills and sharing initial findings with their partner (25 min)
Deliverables	1. Research summary document outlining key contributions of the famous Kentuckian. 2. First draft of creative writing or visual project shared on the digital platform for feedback.
Preparation	1. Gather books and online resources about the famous Kentuckian for research. 2. Coordinate with community partners for potential interviews or information sessions. 3. Prepare digital platform for students to upload drafts and receive feedback. 4. Invite local artists to guide students in creative project development.

Week 3	Day 1
Activities	Critique and Revision Session - Students engage in a 'two stars and a wish' peer feedback session, providing constructive feedback on each other's creative writing drafts or visual projects, refining their collaborative and critical thinking skills (25 min)
Deliverables	1. Revised drafts of creative writing pieces, incorporating peer and digital feedback. 2. Initial mural design sketches, collaboratively created by student groups.
Preparation	1. Set up a digital platform for students to share and comment on each other's drafts. 2. Coordinate with a local artist to assist students in the mural design process and provide feedback. 3. Gather materials for mural sketching, such as large sheets of paper, pencils, and colored markers. 4. Prepare a rubric or checklist to guide students in the 'two stars and a wish' feedback method.

Week 4	Day 1
Activities	Mock Town Hall Preparation - Students finalize their scripts and roles for the mock town hall meeting, ensuring they understand the historical impact and contributions of the famous Kentuckian they will represent (25 min)
Deliverables	1. Completed collaborative mural or art piece 2. Rehearsed role-play scripts for the mock town hall meeting 3. Reflection letters to the famous Kentuckian or community partners 4. Successful exhibition of the 'Kentucky Culture Fest'
Preparation	1. Ensure all art supplies and mural materials are available for final touches. 2. Prepare the venue and necessary props for the mock town hall meeting rehearsal. 3. Organize a comfortable space for the reflection circle, with seating arranged in a circle for open discussion. 4. Provide letter-writing materials, including paper, envelopes, and pens for the reflection letters. 5. Coordinate logistics for the 'Kentucky Culture Fest,' including invitations, exhibition space, and setup for the mural display and role-play performances.