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Fifth Graders Participate in Colonial Simulation

Fifth grade students are currently participating in a colonial simulation designed by fifth grade humanities teacher Kaitlyn Huston. For the simulation, students have been divided into three groups—New England, middle colonies, and southern colonies—and are working in groups to research life in their colonies in depth, “focusing on topics ranging from types of colonial governments to relationships with indigenous peoples,” explains resident teacher Matt Druyen. The fifth grade social studies curriculum is currently focused on colonial-era America and this activity allows students to engage with the material in an experiential way. At the end of the unit, groups will create projects to educate their classmates on what life was like in their specific colony; some groups have brainstormed creating tourism videos with colonial-era commercials, while other groups have explored creating travel brochures and board games. Exclaimed one student, “I like this project because we get to be creative and work as a team!”
 
Adds Mr. Druyen, “I love getting to help the students gain a deep understanding of what life could have been like for a young person in different times in history. By putting themselves in the shoes of others throughout time, students develop both creative thinking skills and empathy.” MORE PHOTOS
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