Expanding to the West...

This week was a last first. It was the last first time that a group would begin their lessons. This was bittersweet because I was excited to see what a wonderful lesson group four had for us, but it also hit me that this meant we would be leaving the second grade class soon. Ms. Julie. Mr. Kimbark, Ms. Rachel, and Ms. Jessica started the class with a review of what the students had learned from the previous three groups (Indians, Pilgrims,  & Thirteen Colonies). They then moved forward and presented a PowerPoint  on Western Expansion under Thomas Jefferson's presidency. There was a special focus on Lewis and Clark, who were explorers that really paved the way towards Western Expansion. They also pointed out several other key details and terms, which they later based their cross word puzzle on for independent practice. 

For their Inquiry lesson, the teachers had a very well planned dialog that presented the problem and engaged the students. The three girls each gave their points as to why they believed a certain form of transportation was the best way to expand Westward until Mr. Kimbark stated that they should ask the second graders for help. The second graders were then split up into three groups: railroad, boats, and horse drawn wagons. They had to look up information and then present why their mode of transportation was the best. The students were highly engaged and so well behaved during this activity. 

                                  

During the final lesson, the teachers did an absolutely amazing job by having groups create scrapbooks. The students pretended to be Lewis and Clark in order to write letters explaining their journey, figure out what to bring on their journey, and writing down all of the things that they might have seen. 



*FIREWORKS* to Ms. Julie. Mr. Kimbark, Ms. Rachel, and Ms. Jessica. You all did such a wonderful job with your three lessons!