Grade 4: Studying the Lives of Native Americans
In a cross-discipline lesson, fourth graders are employing the design thinking process to study natural resources and Native American regions in both science and social studies.
In a cross-discipline lesson, fourth graders are employing the design thinking process to study natural resources and Native American regions in both science and social studies.
During a recent visit to the Museum of Nature and Science, they gathered information about the climate and natural resources found in each Native American region. As they explored life-sized replicas of Native American dwellings, students synthesized the impact of climate and natural resources on the design of these structures.
Students then returned to the Gates Lab where they were given materials that simulate the natural resources found in different climates and used their innovation skills to design and build their own models of Native American dwellings.
Katie Bergsieker, Alex Warot and Cate Whalen were assigned the northwest region, which they described as Northern California to Alaska. "It's snowy and cold so we made a wooden house with a slanted roof so the snow can slide off it," said Alex.
Dwellings in the Southwest region had a different objective. "It's a dry, extreme climate," said Ilsa Borgen. "The dwellings were made out of adobe and they had flat roofs."
Celia McCarty added, "Houses have to keep warm at night and let the heat out during the day."
Katie Bergsieker, Alex Warot and Cate Whalen were assigned the northwest region, which they described as Northern California to Alaska. "It's snowy and cold so we made a wooden house with a slanted roof so the snow can slide off it," said Alex.
Dwellings in the Southwest region had a different objective. "It's a dry, extreme climate," said Ilsa Borgen. "The dwellings were made out of adobe and they had flat roofs."
Celia McCarty added, "Houses have to keep warm at night and let the heat out during the day."
Graland Country Day School
Graland Country Day School is a private school in Denver, Colorado, serving students in preschool, kindergarten, elementary, and middle school. Founded in Denver in 1927, Graland incorporates a rich, experiential learning approach in a traditional classroom setting, emphasizing the development of globally and socially conscious leaders who excel academically.
