An Introduction to Pioneering  

Objective:

This lesson will allow students to demonstrate an understanding of the general concept of pioneering and allows for examination of prior knowledge on the concept with an emphasis on topics of interest.

Length of Lesson: 1 Hour

GCO:       Students will be expected to demonstrate an understanding of the past and       how it affects the present and the future.

SCOs:      Demonstrate an understanding of the concepts and vocabulary associated             with time, continuity and change

Cross Curricular Links:  Language Arts

Materials:

• Large chart paper
• Markers
• The Olden Days by Joe Mathieu

Procedure:

• The teacher will have students come to the front of the class (or a quiet reading area) and together in a group on the floor. The teacher will start by reading the story The Olden Days by Joe Mathieu to the class.
• The students will be asked to return to their seats and the teacher will lead a class discussion on what was introduced in the book. This should work as a question and answer period for the students to reflect on the story and raise any concerns or questions that they had with the material presented.
• The teacher will post the chart paper at the front of the room and have the students construct a KWL chart as a group. They should begin with what they already know about pioneers and pioneering and then decide on some central issues on the topic that they wish to know more about. This will stay posted throughout the unit and students will revisit the chart at the end of the unit and record what they have learned.
• The construction of the KWL chart should be done in the form of a class brainstorming session with all students being able to contribute their ideas and opinions in a thoughtful and orderly manner.

Once the KWL chart has been completed the teacher can begin to discuss the class field trip to Ross Farm Museum in more depth. The teacher will have previously discussed the general aspects of the trip but now that the students have

• had an introduction to pioneering the students will have a better understanding of the types of things they will be seeing and doing. The teacher should make sure that the permission slips which were sent home with the students a month prior to the trip have all been returned signed.

Evaluation:

The teacher will be able to assess the level of student progress by listening to the students describe their understanding of the topics presented in the book and the ideas that they presented in the discussion. This should be the start of an individual record for each student on this unit which will serve as a large part of the final assessment.