Launch

North Dakota Voices Day

Reflection Core Content Essential Question Critique and Revision

Students meet the people whose histories shaped North Dakota. A guest storyteller or short age-appropriate video introduces Native Americans and immigrant groups who settled in the state. Students listen, observe artifacts, and answer a simple question with a partner. They then create a small symbol or artifact that represents their assigned group and reflect on what that group needed when they arrived.

Plan day
Day 1
Duration
60 min
Grouping
Whole Class
Steps
7 steps

Lesson plan

7 steps · 60 min
# What teachers do
1 Welcome students and introduce the essential question: 'What was it like to settle North Dakota in the 1800s?' (20 min)
2 Watch a short video or listen to a guest storyteller about Native Americans and immigrant groups in ND. (40 min)
3 Explore the cultural artifacts provided for each group: Native Americans, Germans, Norwegians, and Russian Germans. (50 min)
4 Discuss with a partner to answer the question: 'What did this group need when they arrived?' (40 min)
5 Create a small symbol or drawing to represent their assigned group, using arts and crafts materials. (70 min)
6 Reflect on your discoveries and share your symbol or artifact with another pair of students. (60 min)
7 Wrap up the session by summarizing what each group contributed to ND culture and history. (30 min)
Preparation (4 items)
  • Gather age-appropriate videos or arrange for a guest storyteller about North Dakota settlers.
  • Collect artifacts and images for each group that settled in North Dakota.
  • Prepare arts and crafts materials for creating symbols or artifacts.
  • Set up reflection stations for partner discussions.
Student-facing instructions
Your task is to learn about the groups who settled in North Dakota in the 1800s by watching a video or listening to a guest. Explore artifacts to understand their experiences and needs. Then, create a symbol or artifact to represent your assigned group and share what you learned with a partner.