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All grades  Project 4 weeks

"History Quest: Roadtripping Through Time"

Missy L
8.B.1.1
8.B.1.2
8.G.1.1
8.G.1.2
8.G.1.3
+ 3 more
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Purpose

The purpose of this project is to engage 8th-grade students in a dynamic exploration of American history through a hands-on road trip planning experience. By selecting historically significant sites within a chosen region, students will deepen their understanding of how diverse cultural and social interactions have shaped both North Carolina and the nation. This project fosters critical thinking, self-directed learning, and a strong academic mindset, allowing students to connect historical events to contemporary cultural identities while developing practical skills in research, mapping, and presentation.

Learning goals

Students will develop an understanding of how historical events and diverse cultural interactions have shaped the United States by researching and analyzing significant sites within their chosen region. They will enhance their mapping and digital literacy skills by creating detailed road trip itineraries that incorporate geographical and historical data. Through collaboration and feedback, students will refine their critical thinking and problem-solving abilities, ultimately producing multimedia presentations that effectively communicate their findings and insights.
Standards
  • [North Carolina] 8.B.1.1 - Determine how the relationship between different regional, social, ethnic, and racial groups have contributed to the development of North Carolina and the nation
  • [North Carolina] 8.B.1.2 - Explain how cultural values, practices and the interactions of various indigenous, religious, and racial groups have influenced the development of North Carolina and the nation
  • [North Carolina] 8.G.1.1 - Summarize the human and physical characteristics of North Carolina and the nation
  • [North Carolina] 8.G.1.2 - Explain how location, resources, and human geography have influenced the development of North Carolina and the nation
  • [North Carolina] 8.G.1.3 - Explain how location and human geography have presented opportunities and challenges for the movement of people, goods, and ideas in North Carolina and the nation
Competencies
  • Self Directed Learning - Students use teacher and peer feedback and self-reflection to monitor and direct their own learning while building self knowledge both in and out of the classroom.
  • Academic Mindset - Students establish a sense of place, identity, and belonging to increase self-efficacy while engaging in critical reflection and action.
  • Critical Thinking & Problem Solving - Students consider a variety of innovative approaches to address and understand complex questions that are authentic and important to their communities.

Products

Throughout the project, students will create detailed road trip itineraries that include maps, historical site descriptions, and budget plans. They will produce multimedia presentations that incorporate storytelling techniques to highlight the cultural and historical significance of their chosen sites. At the 'Road Trip Expo,' students will present their final products, showcasing their research and planning through interactive displays that engage the audience with digital media and storytelling.

Launch

Kick off the project with an immersive 'Road Trip Planning Workshop' featuring a guest speaker from a local travel agency. The speaker will guide students through the essentials of planning a road trip, including budgeting, mapping routes, and selecting historically significant sites. Students will engage in hands-on activities to apply these skills, setting the stage for their own road trip projects. This launch will spark excitement and provide practical insights into the logistics and historical context of their chosen regions.

Exhibition

Students will showcase their road trip projects at the 'Road Trip Expo,' where each group will set up an interactive booth featuring maps, itineraries, and multimedia presentations. Attendees, including parents, classmates, and local historians, will explore and engage with the students' findings, discussing the historical and cultural significance of the chosen sites. The expo will provide a platform for students to articulate their learning, reflect on their research, and demonstrate their understanding of how historical events have shaped regional and national development.