Creative Social Studies Project Invigorates Fourth Graders

Fourth graders are currently studying missions of California. This project connects with the social studies through-line in fourth grade, which focuses on First Peoples of California. Working in groups of four, students studied one of four major California missions: Mission San Francisco de Asis; San Gabriel Mission; Mission San Carlos Borromeo; and San Buenaventura Mission. “We have shifted the traditional model for social studies from one that studies history from the perspective of the dominant perspective to one that looks at history through multiple perspectives,” explains teacher Kate Callan. “As such, students researched their respective missions through different source materials that focus on the perspective of the indigenous people.” After students answered essential questions in pairs, they were challenged to be creative and determine how to share their learning with their classmates in a way that shares highlights of how they felt when learning about the mission experiences. “We asked students to think about ‘How can you inspire the same feelings you felt in others?’ and to be creative in sharing their information.” Students are creating everything from rap songs and historical creative writing to mobiles to minecraft.

 

Adds Ms. Callan, “This project gives the students the freedom to express themselves in a way they feel passionately. I’m really excited about what the students have come up with!” MORE PHOTOS