5 Grade History and Science Programs 2011-2012
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th 5 Grade History and Science Programs 2011-2012 Patriots Point Naval and Maritime Institute of History and Science Education Department Patriots Point Institute of History & Science 5th Grade History & Science Program Overview- The Goal and its Process For the 2011 -2012 school year, we have built our History & Science curriculums around stories. Stories are at the center of human consciousness. Since the beginning of time, people have used stories as a vehicle in transporting knowledge. Students hear stories and remember those that touch them, which they can feel and relate to. Our story curriculums are intended to teach the student how to do something. The roles our characters take on are ones that students might actually do or experience in real life, increasing their interest for further investigation as they continue their educational careers. The stories stimulate the students to share their opinions about the characters’ experiences, creating instantaneous assessment opportunities as to subject matter retention or understanding. The story themes, as introduced in pre-arrival activities, act as the glue for our multi station cross curricular programs. For History, we introduce the students to Harry Smith, a fictional character who fought in the Civil War alongside the youngest recipient of the Medal of Honor. In science, students travel throughout the water cycle with Oscar, a molecular atom of Oxygen and his two Hydrogen friends, the twins, Hannah and Hank. We have developed the curriculums to give teachers an opportunity to use the program as a supplement to 75% of the 5th grade History and Science curriculums. No matter at what point the students participates in the curriculum; they will have the potential to consider the characters past and future history. On site, our instructors use the Socratic method of delivery, to promote critical thinking, listening, memory, visualization, and concentration through hands-on science experiments and historical math problems. Living history, the awe factor created by the size of USS Yorktown, the stimulating discussions with our volunteer veterans, and the up close experience with our resident creatures, creates a mind jarring supplement to the 5th grade learning experience. All programs are aligned to the specific State Standards to aid in the ease of helping teachers incorporate our materials so that they wrap around and strengthen their daily plans. Each of the six stations (3 History/3 Science) will have available online support for those who may wish to add additional information before or after their visit to the USS Yorktown. Six Stations History Science 1. Where in the World is Great Grandpa? 1. Oscar and the Twins Rock 2. The Doolittle Raid 2. Hannah’s microscopic world 3. Island Hopping and the Ultimate Decision 3. Oscar lives in everything Pre-Arrival Forms & Instructions History Program Overview 2011-2012 History Themes – (ELA & Math Problems) History- “Ordinary citizens doing extraordinary things!!!” The story theme of this year’s History Program is built on the concept that regardless of one’s background, in America, one can be whatever one is willing to work hard to become. What better example to promote this theme than by studying the lives and events surrounding the individuals who received our highest military acknowledgment, the “Medal of Honor?” We also explore the rich history of our enemy and the contributing factors that forced us to the extreme measure of using atomic weaponry. History Station I – Where in the World is Grandpa The story’s main character is developed in the pre-arrival activities for the “Where in the World is Great Grandpa” project. Through a series of letters, a visit to the Medal of Honor Museum and a post writing project, students will investigate history and then communicate to others the results of their investigation. The letters in the pre-visit packet are written by Harold, “Harry” Smith, a fictitious friend of “Willie” Johnston. At the age of 12, an age that most 5th graders can relate to, “Willie” is the youngest recipient of the Medal of Honor. The letters start with “Harry” writing his Great Grandpa about his friend “Willie,” and the news of Willie receiving the Medal of Honor. The letter describes the camp conditions, experiences with the “Underground Railroad” and his optimistic hope for the war’s ending to be sooner rather than later. The series of letters will continue as Harry grows up, each describing various events in history from the Civil War through the end of WWII (1865-1945). Each letter is written to aid the classroom teacher in historical time periods within their pacing guidelines, building the student’s curiosity as to what “Harry” will do or share next. The letters are meant to be easily included in the classroom instruction time as they align with the Social Studies Standards while integrating listening and literary skills as well. The letters will be about a page in length and are written to add a bit of fun as the young people listen or read history from someone who, at the beginning, was close to their age. During their visit to the USS Yorktown, Students will conduct a scavenger hunt within the Medal of Honor Museum, to locate the various artifacts and individual histories referred to in the letters. Students will also be given the opportunity to discuss the importance of the Medal of Honor with one of our Veterans. Following the visit, students will be asked to write a follow up letter, addressing various issues covered during the program, both at the USS Yorktown, as addressed in the pre-arrival activities. We will mail submitted letters to servicemen and women currently serving our country. History Station II - Doolittle & the Doolittle Raid The key objective of this station is to help students use an historical event to appreciate the ability to use math and why it is so important. The background for the station will be addressed in Harry’s second to last letter. In the letter he will discuss the surprise of the Japanese attack at Pearl Harbor, and how it hurt the moral of American Citizens. Pre-arrival material will also include mathematical background information on the flight capabilities of the B25 Bomber. Colonel James Doolittle serves as perfect example of an ordinary citizen who inspired others by his love of country, his ability to lead and to take on a task without even understanding what the ultimate outcome would be. Students will participate in a short flight briefing of the mission sitting under an actual B25 Bomber similar to the one used by the Doolittle Raiders. Math will be integrated into this station as each student is given a problem actually calculating the amount of fuel needed by each pilot to get to their destination. We will further challenge the young people by changing the variables much like Lt. Colonel Doolittle faced in making a decision to continue with the mission. He had to make this decision even after its secrecy had been revealed by a Japanese fishing boat. What do you do now? The Doolittle Raid was the first air raid by the United States to strike the Japanese Home Islands during WWII. The mission provided a vital moral boost and opportunity for US retaliation after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1942. History Station III – Island Hopping and the Ultimate Decision The key objective of this station is to allow our students to experience first-hand being aboard our aircraft carrier’s flight deck. It is in this setting that we will discuss specifically what the ship and her planes did during WWII as they participated in the “island hopping strategy” that was successful in winning the war. The station’s background will be covered in Harry’s last letter. The letter will focus on the will of the Japanese forces in refusing to surrender, even after the US had gained complete air superiority over Japan. The letter will address his concern that thousands of his friends sons lives will be lost if the US has to wage a ground war in Japan. On the flight deck we will discuss the Medal of Honor theme as it applied to the Japanese that were fighting for their honor. We will also discuss President Truman’s ultimate decision to drop the atomic bombs in an effort to end the battle and save lives on both sides. The Flight Deck will also serve as a platform for a second math problem. Using the average wing span of a student we will ask the students to determine the number of students it will take, if lined up, to go from one side of the ship to the other. The pre-arrival information will include the distance. Students will calculate the estimated number before arriving on the ship. We will then test their hypothesis by conducting the experiment during their visit. Teachers who participated in last year’s program stated that they felt Patriots Point’s Fifth Grade History and Science Program were extremely relevant and critical to the enhancement of student’s learning capabilities. Serving the need for hands on learning and experiencing living history up close is yet another core reason validating the need for students to have the opportunity to participate in off campus educational programs. The main tool of our teaching method is definitely our ship, and its wonderful location in Charleston Harbor. Our Fifth Grade History and Science curriculum is designed to use the USS Yorktown, and the estuarine environment the ship sits in, as a hands on real life teaching platform. The “awe” factor of our ship creates a forever lasting impression in a young student’s mind.