Westward Whiz: Read & Explore!

2nd Grade Project 5 weeks

Westward Whiz: Read & Explore!

Grace C

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.2.7

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.2.10

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.2.3

Self Directed Learning

Academic Mindset

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Purpose

This project aims to deepen students' understanding of Westward Expansion by integrating reading, science, and math into a cohesive learning experience. Through hands-on activities, field trips, and collaboration with community partners, students will explore the historical impact on landforms and Native American communities, while developing critical thinking and self-directed learning skills. The culmination of the project will be a gallery walk where students showcase their understanding through creative expression, connecting their learning to the essential questions and reflecting on the values and challenges of the era.

Learning goals

Students will explore the historical impact of Westward Expansion on landforms, Native American communities, and settlers through reading, research, and hands-on projects. They will develop skills in summarizing, comparing, contrasting, and identifying nonfiction text features, while integrating math skills by solving problems related to pioneer life. Through self-directed learning and critical reflection, students will create a pioneer child's suitcase and write their own folk tales, connecting their findings to the essential questions and demonstrating their understanding in a gallery walk exhibition.

Standards

[Common Core] CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.2.7 - Participate in shared research and writing projects (e.g., read a number of books on a single topic to produce a report; record science observations).
[Common Core] CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.2.10 - By the end of year, read and comprehend informational texts, including history/social studies, science, and technical texts, in the grades 2—3 text complexity band proficiently, with scaffolding as needed at the high end of the range.
[Common Core] CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.2.3 - Describe the connection between a series of historical events, scientific ideas or concepts, or steps in technical procedures in a text.

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 unit, students will collaboratively research and create a detailed "suitcase of a pioneer child," filled with artifacts representing their learning about Native Americans, buffalo, and settlers. They will also write and illustrate their own folk tales, inspired by the era of Westward Expansion, reflecting the values and challenges of the time. These products will be showcased in a gallery walk, where students explain their choices and connections to the essential questions, demonstrating their understanding and creativity.

Launch

Begin the unit with a field trip to a local historical site or museum, such as the Caw Caw Interpretive Center, where students can explore exhibits on Native American history and Westward Expansion. Engage students in an interactive scavenger hunt to identify key artifacts and information related to the essential questions. Following the field trip, facilitate a class discussion where students share their observations and initial thoughts on how the movement of people impacted the land and communities, setting the stage for the project.

Exhibition

Students will showcase their learning through a gallery walk, displaying their "suitcase of a pioneer child" filled with items representing their understanding of Native Americans, buffalo, and settlers. At various stations, students will explain how these items connect to the essential questions, demonstrating their grasp of historical impacts and cultural narratives. Additionally, each student will present a folk tale they have written, reflecting the values and challenges of the era, to engage visitors in critical reflection and discussion.

Learning Journey

Project Activities

Days 1 - 25

Milestone Activities

No activities have been added to this phase yet.

Plan

Week 1	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5
Phase	Project Activities
Activities	Project Launch Field Trip Activity 45m	Reflective Discussion Activity 20m Introduction to Non-Fiction Text Features Activity 25m	Compare and Contrast Activity Activity 30m Self-Reflection Journal Activity 15m	Landforms Exploration Activity 20m Math Integration: Landform Problem Solving Activity 25m	Create a Pioneer Suitcase Plan Activity 30m Peer Feedback Session Activity 15m
Preparation

Week 2	Day 6	Day 7	Day 8	Day 9	Day 10
Phase	Project Activities
Activities	Introduction to Buffalo/Bison Activity 25m Buffalo Impact Analysis Activity 20m	Summarization Exercise Activity 30m Science Connection: Buffalo Habitat Activity 15m	Math Integration: Buffalo Population Problem Solving Activity 20m Creative Writing: Diary of a Pioneer Child Activity 25m	Peer Review Session Activity 20m Landform Art Project Activity 25m	Suitcase Planning Session Activity 30m Reflective Journaling Activity 15m
Preparation

Week 3	Day 11	Day 12	Day 13	Day 14	Day 15
Phase	Project Activities
Activities	Exploring Pioneer Journeys Activity 20m Landform Mapping Activity Activity 25m	Math Integration: Pioneer Supply Calculations Activity 20m Creative Writing: Pioneer Letter Home Activity 25m	Pioneer Suitcase Development Activity 30m Science Exploration: Landform Models Activity 15m	Peer Sharing Circle Activity 20m Illustration Workshop Activity 25m	Reflective Journaling Activity 15m Gallery Walk Prep Activity 30m
Preparation

Week 4	Day 16	Day 17	Day 18	Day 19	Day 20
Phase	Project Activities
Activities	Exploring Folk Tales Activity 20m Folk Tale Analysis Activity 25m	Writing Your Own Folk Tale Activity 25m Peer Feedback Session Activity 20m	Math Integration: Pioneer Life Problem Solving Activity 20m Finalizing Folk Tales Activity 25m	Suitcase Assembly Activity 30m Reflection Journal Activity 15m	Gallery Walk Preparation Activity 25m Peer Review and Feedback Activity 20m
Preparation

Week 5	Day 21	Day 22	Day 23	Day 24	Day 25
Phase	Project Activities
Activities	Folk Tale Drafting Activity 25m Peer Story Circle Activity 20m	Folk Tale Revision Activity 25m Suitcase Artifact Finalization Activity 20m	Illustration Creation Activity 25m Gallery Walk Rehearsal Activity 20m	Final Folk Tale Edits Activity 20m Exhibition Set-Up Activity 25m	Gallery Walk Presentation Activity 45m
Preparation