Pre-colonial, Colonial

--Byron Augustin and Michael Bailey

Students get dirty making adobe brick, just like those in the Palace of Governors in Santa Fe, New Mexico--the oldest continuously occupied building in the U.S. Also includes quiz "Tough Stuff" building materials; and book review of "Mud Matters."

This URL downloads all 16 pages of Middle Level Learning as a pdf of about 1.0 MB:   --> read more »

--Steven S. Lapham

Background and lyrics to a 1942 blues song about the 1900 Galveston hurricane. Also an article about Alexander Hamilton's close brush with big winds in 1772.

• This issue needs to be scanned. Steve will do.

--Linda L. Gesek
The skills of the docent (museum guide) can be learned and put to use in any classroom.

This URL downloads all 16 pages of Middle Level Learning as a pdf of about 0.7 MB:
* http://members.ncss.org/mll/08/mll08.pdf

--Alice Aud, Gini Bland, Barbara Brown, and Bruce Law
Eighth grade students in a Georgia middle school reconstruct a Mississippian village on the shores of Carolina Bay.

This URL downloads all 16 pages of Middle Level Learning as a pdf of about 1.0 MB:
* http://members.ncss.org/mll/06/mll06.pdf

--Mac Duis and Sandra S. Duis
Eighth grade students adopt the role of a character from the late Colonial era and present that character's perspective on issues of the day at a convention involving the 13 colonies.

This URL downloads all 16 pages of Middle Level Learning as a pdf of about 4.5 MB:
* http://members.ncss.org/mll/03/mll03.pdf

--Bruce E. Larson
Students have to think on two levels: they must deliberate about a current issue (Native rights to small-scale whaling) and develop reasons to defend their thinking; and they must reflect on the discussion process itself.

• publications.socialstudies.org/yl/1001/100102.html

--Cheryl Franklin Torrez and Gina Bush
Students investigate various sources to learn about the Age of Exploration--and think critically about what they are reading at the (sometimes mischievous) "All About Explorers" website.

• http://publications.socialstudies.org/yl/2104/210412.pdf

--Robert Millward
Students in grades 4-8 can get a feeling for what the colonial frontier was like when the lesson includes physical activity, paintings, artifacts, diaries, and discussions. (Includes 2-page color poster by Robert Griffing.)

• http://publications.socialstudies.org/yl/1903/190315

--Mary Beth Henning, Jennifer L. Snow-Gerono, Diane Reed, and Amy Warner
Two fourth grade teachers strive to create lessons that are developmentally appropriate, culturally sensitive, and historically accurate in teaching about Columbus's encounter with Native Americans.

• http://publications.socialstudies.org/yl/1902/190219.pdf

--Mary S. Black
Simulated excavations, as well as other indoor activities, can "create dynamic learning adventures." A full-page sidebar features resources about corn, especially popcorn!

• http://publications.socialstudies.org/yl/1101/110102.html