By the shores of Gitche Gumee, by the shining Big-Sea Water...
...a diverse group of eager learners gather from September through May to progress their education.
These young-teens, I am told, are different from those elsewhere. They are caring, empathetic, hospitable, and thoughtful.
As we engage in Social Studies class, these students are asked to take a walk through our country's history with an open-mind, to read primary texts and conclude personality types, to debate the social issues of the era and draw connections to their own 21st century world. We explore biographies, historical fiction, art and music to make the study of history more real; our most memorable projects of the year are philanthropy-based, when we reach into the community to exercise civic responsibility and make a difference in our small town and school district in Michigan's Upper Peninsula.
My Project
When students engage in the real-life stories of our nation's heroes (and villains), history becomes REAL to them, it CONNECTS with them, it shows them that in 200 years, American youth isn't that different from the rebels that sought independence.
In the biography, The Notorious Benedict Arnold, students get a realistic look at what "going to war" really means.
They will analyze the self-motivated and treasonous Arnold and have to decide...in his shoes, would they have done things differently?
In the past, I have used my copy of the book to read from in class while occasionally printing excerpts that I'd like the students to focus on. I KNOW that if the students have a copy in their own hands, that they can follow along with and read over the weekend, they will benefit more from the literacy engagement.
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As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Ms. Galarowic and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
