We have been teaching Social Studies in a 5th grade class. We have taught the students about The French and Indian War, The Sugar, Stamp, and Townshend Acts, and the Boston Tea Party.
Yesterday we integrated drama into our lesson. I represented the Loyalist Party and my partner Sarah, represented the Patriots. I campaigned for my party by saying a few things and asked the students who wanted to join my party to come up to the front of the class with me. Then, Sarah spoke for her party and the rest of the class came up to be in her group. We had a debate and involved the students in it. At first I was a little worried that I hadn't explained any rules before the activity about talking in turn, but in hindsight, I was able to emphasize how angry the colonists would have been. It was probably okay anyway, because when it started to get out of hand a little, I told them that one person could speak at a time. The students then wrote a persuasive letter to a family member or friend notifying them of their joining one of the parties. I think it helped them to understand the significance of the conflict that the colonists suffered through.
I also taught them the "Turkey Dance" as an activity to get the wiggles out before my first lesson. The students loved it and we did it again a couple of days later before another lesson. I think it really helped.
In art specialties, the students learned about texture and studied some paintings on postcards to find different textures. We get to go to art specialties again this week and I am interested in what we will learn. It was fun seeing students do activities we did in Creative Arts class.
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