This week in social studies. . .

Middle school students have been exploring the land and resources of North America (and specifically the territory of the modern United States). Using an online resource and a white board marker, students outlined different regions on erasable maps and then conducted and organized research on the resources native to those regions. As we set the stage for our place-based American history course, we’re taking time to practice skills belonging to the historian. Students are engaged in the learning process, showing off their critical thinking skills, advocating for themselves when they have a clarifying question, and making sure they have what they need to complete their learning objectives. 

Yesterday in class, we took time to talk about a few ways we can understand prehistory, specifically that of the Native American nations. As part of this, we circled up to discuss storytelling and oral history, and students listened to a few creation stories from different regions. Again, they applied their critical thinking, asking fabulous questions and discerning some challenges that might arise with storytelling. In the end, it was decided that we need both the scientific and story-telling approaches to understand Native American prehistory better.

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