Field Trip:
Students had a great time at the Washington State History Museum in Tacoma. First, students gathered to solve a "history mystery". They worked in pairs by following clues and using tools (artifacts, ephemera, newspapers, , magazines, photographs and books). The end result was the discovery of Fort Nisqually, which was the first European settlement on Puget Sound. After the mystery was solved, we had time to learn more about the Hudson Bay Company and the fur trade through a role play scenario.
Students were excited to make connections to the previously studied Lewis and Clark journey and our current NW Coast unit. The experience was fascinating and packed full of information!
You may have heard by now that our NW Coast unit has begun. Students are learning about NW Coast natives by participating in a role play story that twists and turns based on the tribes responses to critical incidences.
To begin, the students created characters (traits, skills) and family structures (roles and responsibilities). Then, they figured out how to live off the land and use natural resources to survive. They built longhouses and established totem poles to represent their clan.
Note: Sorry about the video footage (can't figure out how to rotate the videos). The most important part is the audio so at least that turned out!