With a partner, we shared a packet of articles and used the clue item at our table to figure out which motive for Early European Exploration it matched. For example: the flag represented lands to conquer. Spices represented their desire to acquire spices and other trade items from Asia. A Bible represented the push to spread Christianity. The gold pieces represented the quest for gold and riches. Finally, for "adventure" we had a question mark :)
Today, we answered that question! With a partner, we shared a packet of articles and used the clue item at our table to figure out which motive for Early European Exploration it matched. For example: the flag represented lands to conquer. Spices represented their desire to acquire spices and other trade items from Asia. A Bible represented the push to spread Christianity. The gold pieces represented the quest for gold and riches. Finally, for "adventure" we had a question mark :) Once partners had identified their object and its importance to the reason for Exploration, they then had to work on highlighting key words that answered summary questions including who, what, where, when, why, and how. These five words also were to show their evidence on why they matched their item to that reason. I was so impressed with how engaged and focused they all were! We definitely know the five reasons for Exploration well!
0 Comments
We have jumped into our next social studies unit with both feet! In the three days we have been in school thus far since Christmas break, we have done a lot! We created drawings of authentic Renaissance ships including the Caravel and the Spanish Galleon. Better improved ships were one of the number one reasons for the possibility of Exploration beginning in the 15th century. We were each given a Renaissance name and character card - we studied our character and practiced name pronunciations ;0) before sharing our bios with the class.We know that at this time in history, Native Americans are continuing to live their unique lifestyles as previously studied having no idea of what is to come. However, before discussing this eventual collision between the Old World and the New, it is important to understand what life in Renaissance Europe was like at this time. Who were these men that came to the new World? This will help us understand NOT EXCUSE their motives, their beliefs, and regretfully, their actions toward many Native American cultures. Very quickly we noticed a pattern among our characters. Life was not the same as it is today. Plagues and diseases ran rampant due to a lack of hygiene and knowledge of germs, women lived with the fear of childbirth and men and children often lost wives and mothers. Noblemen owned and inherited lands (well, oldest sons did) which poor peasant families worked. The majority of the population was uneducated, there were no hospitals, and in many European countries, practicing other religions was punishable by death - even reading the Bible was illegal. Women, particularly wealthy, had little to say about their lives and were often used through marriage to improve their family's wealth and influence. Many people were burned for their beliefs and hundreds of Muslims and Jewish people were kicked out of Spain and other European countries. If you somehow managed to make it through all of this, warring between European countries to acquire more land affected almost every group of people. All of this we experienced through our characters and charted on our graphs. Our discovery was that most people experienced death in a very personal way, some died, and a few were extremely against groups of people they did not like or felt were not as good. What does this mean for the Native Americans? These were HARD men, accustomed to poverty, death, war, prejudices, and persecution. Their number one goal = survival. and nothing is going to stand in the way of what they want... We have also begun our informational text reading on Early Explorers which include information on ships, famous explorers, and Vikings!
Looking back at December, we had a lot of fun learning all about where we came from, how our "Cultures" celebrate Christmas or a holiday similar and celebrated them during our Christmas Party "TRIP" Around the World! Here are some pictures to RECAP all the learning fun we had! Dress up days and Christmas Caroling at the Bowman Place Christmas Heritage Project Presentation - Ornaments and Paragraphs/Essays Getting our passports - boarding planes - visiting 6 countries - eating traditional food - dressing up - and creating a craft from holidays around the world! We wrapped the season up with a Hot Chocolate Bar, A Christmas Movie, and the opening of our stockings! |
HOPPIN's FABULOUS FIFTH GRADE CLASS!
Welcome to our fifth grade classroom blog! Here we share what we discover, learn, ask, and explore about the world around us! Categories
All
|