In Fifth Grade Social Studies, we are considering how historians use primary and secondary sources to refine our understanding of the history of human beings. We have been studying the discovery in 1991 of Otzi the Iceman in the Italian Alps. Through the study of this 5,300-year-old "ice mummy" and the possessions (artifacts) found with him, we have learned so much more about how people in Europe lived at the end of the "Stone Age." We are brainstorming key ideas, taking notes, and preparing to use our notes to prepare an outline, and write a one to two paragraph summary on the question, "How has the discovery of Otzi, the Iceman helped historians learn new information about how humans lived in the "Stone Age?" We continue to read our Scholastic News magazines. The latest issue focusing on fighting wildfires in the west. I am impressed with the creative curiosity and focus of our fifth-grade students.
In Sixth Grade Social Studies, we continue to explore the "Golden Age" of ancient Athens, Greece. As we read The Odyssey together in a readers theater format, we are identifying how this classic story informs us about ancient Greek values and their culture. (Students are demonstrating a real enthusiasm for reading this graphic novel version.) We are doing Critical Explorations of images of ancient Greek artifacts and their art. Presently, we are summarizing key concepts connected to Greek civilization as we read and take notes on the Kids Discover issue of "Ancient Greece." By the end of this week, students will begin making choices about their independent research projects based on the question, "How does Greece's "golden age" continue to influence our world today? Students continue to choose their own current events articles each week, write a summary of the key ideas in the article, then share their topics with one another.
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