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5th Grade  Project 3 weeks

Colonial Quest: Esperanza's Timeless Journey

Allyson B
ES.I.7
ES.I.5
ES.I.10
Productive Collaborator
Critical Thinker
+ 4 more
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Purpose

This project aims to immerse 5th-grade students in the rich history and diverse cultures of the original 13 colonies, fostering a deeper understanding of their development and interactions. Through hands-on activities, students will explore the challenges and opportunities faced by colonial settlers, drawing connections to themes of perseverance and community building as seen in "Esperanza Rising." The project encourages students to think critically, collaborate effectively, and communicate their insights, while also developing personal responsibility and on-task behaviors. By engaging in role-play and interactive exhibits, students will gain a multifaceted perspective on historical events and their relevance to contemporary issues.

Learning goals

Students will explore the cultural and environmental diversity of the original 13 colonies, understanding how these factors influenced their development and interactions. They will engage in critical thinking and collaboration to create interactive exhibits that draw connections between colonial life and themes from "Esperanza Rising," focusing on perseverance and community building. Through role-play and gallery walks, students will develop empathy, effective communication, and the ability to reflect on historical and contemporary challenges. The project will also enhance their personal responsibility and on-task behavior, aligning with Kentucky standards.
Standards
  • [Kentucky] ES.I.7 - Practice personal responsibility.
  • [Kentucky] ES.I.5 - Practice on-task behaviors with minimal direction.
  • [Kentucky] ES.I.10 - Complete tasks on time.
Competencies
  • Productive Collaborator - Engages with others to achieve a common goal through building positive relationships, actively listening, showing empathy, and making individual contributions to a larger group.
  • Critical Thinker - Thinks deeply and makes informed decisions to create solutions or new understanding supported by relevant and reliable evidence.
  • Empowered Learner - Demonstrates mastery and application of academic competencies. Develops the skills and dispositions to persist through difficulties and plan for a future of self-improvement.
  • Creative Contributer - Interprets experiences, imagines and plays with new possibilities with curiosity, and creates approaches that are novel, useful, and valued by the world around them.
  • Effective Communicator - Engages diverse audiences respectfully by exchanging ideas and information responsibly, listening actively, speaking and writing clearly, and using print and digital media appropriately.
  • Engaged Citizen - Shows respect and empathy across differences, embraces diversity of opinion, seeks cultural understanding, participates in the democratic process to challenge the status quo, and makes a positive impact on their community and the world.

Products

Students will create interactive exhibits that simulate the daily life and challenges faced by settlers in the original 13 colonies. These exhibits will incorporate multimedia elements and hands-on artifacts to engage visitors in exploring historical themes. Additionally, students will draw connections between the colonial experiences and the themes in "Esperanza Rising," highlighting perseverance and community building. The final product will be showcased in a gallery walk, where students will present their work and engage in peer feedback.

Launch

Begin the project with a dynamic 'Colony Exploration Day,' where students rotate through interactive stations representing each of the original 13 colonies. At each station, students engage in hands-on activities such as crafting colonial artifacts, sampling regional foods, and exploring maps to understand geographical influences. This immersive experience sets the stage for deeper inquiry into the essential questions, sparking curiosity and laying the groundwork for collaborative and critical exploration throughout the project.

Exhibition

Students will host a Colonial Experience Fair, where they present their interactive exhibits to classmates, teachers, and parents. Each exhibit will showcase a specific colony's daily life, challenges, and cultural aspects, drawing connections to themes from Esperanza Rising. Visitors will engage with the exhibits through role-play, storytelling, and multimedia presentations, fostering a deeper understanding of colonial history and its modern parallels. To enhance the experience, students will guide visitors through the gallery walk, facilitating discussions and reflections on the socio-emotional skills gained throughout the project.