Teachers Discovering History As Historians

Deb Pifer

An American Holiday Scrapbook

Falconer Central School

1.  General Overview of the Proposed Project:

It has been my experience that students do not know or understand the cultural significance and history of our American holidays, neither religious and  federal.  With this project, I plan to enlighten my students in these areas.  Students will choose one religious and one  federal holiday to research for their  historical background and cultural implications, emphasizing the how and why the holiday is celebrated in the United States.  We will then create a “holiday scrapbook” with their information,  a hands-on book to contribute to our school library.

2. Clear Purpose and Objective:

Students slide from holiday to holiday during the school year, joyfully accepting their day off, but seldom understanding why it occurred.  I feel it is important for Americans to understand the background behind our national holidays, how and why it was first created, and how Americans have celebrated it over the years.  Through this research, I hope to create a group of student able to answer these questions and able to spread the word.

3.  Stakeholders: grade level, who will benefit, who will participate in this project.

This will be accomplished with 5^th grade students in my inclusion class.

4.      U.S. History Content Area

My students will be able to choose two holidays to research for background information, pictures, etc. One holiday must be governmental in nature.  The other must be religion.

5.      Outline Describing Content

Each student will be allotted a minimum of two scrapbook pages, back to back, to display their findings.  They must share the  historical and cultural background of their chosen holidays, along with graphics, etc.

6.      Software to be used, internet materials, contacts, etc.

We will use our computer lab to do research and our laptop cart to work on word processing.  Students will be encouraged to use Grolier Online and other Elementary level sources for their research.

7.      Level of Student Involvement

Students will choose their own holidays from a listing generated by their teacher. Other holidays may be chosen, with teacher approval. They will  research each holiday themselves keeping notes and relevant findings. They will present their findings to the class upon completion of the project on March 31^st.

8.      Evaluation process (include students when possible) 

Each student will receive a grade in social studies and again in English.  They will be  evaluated for the accuracy of their research and the attractiveness of the scrapbook pages they create.  A rubric will be used for grading purposes.

9.      Timeline: how you envision the project being carried out between start up and  conclusion

Students will choose their holidays the first week in February. They will be given time to research in the Computer lab and at home.  Students will be given a manila envelope in which to store their materials and two 12 x 18 sheets (or more) of construction paper to use as a temporary background for their discoveries.  Class time will be allotted at the end of each day in which to continue their research.  Finished projects will be due on March 31, 2009, when the pages will be shared with the class and combined as our collection.

10.  Comments or Questions: My role in this project, other than classroom teacher, is to coordinate research efforts and guide my students in their research, proper storage techniques, and creating an artful display. 

Signature:     Deborah L. Pifer

Date:  3/14/08

Holiday Scrapbook  Project

Timeline

1.      Students each chose two holiday to research for their typed, one-page reports and scrapbook pages on February 26^th.

2.      Students were assigned to find 25 facts about each holiday.  Facts were to include the history of the holiday and how it is celebrated.

3.      Students were given a manila envelope packed with study outlines from Step Up To Writing to assist them in their research.  Pages included forms for online, book, and encyclopedia work.

4.      During computer period each week for the month of February, students researched online. They took notes and recorded information on their SUTW forms.

5.      On March 3^rd and 6^th, students visited the library where a collection of books on holidays had been compiled.  They selected books that had references for their particular holidays.  They recorded notes on their forms.

6.      During the remaining weeks in March, students continued to research and write rough drafts of their reports, typed title pages, and bibliographies. They began copying pictures to use on their scrapbook pages.  They were taught how to make banners  for their scrapbooks, and by March 26^th, some were beginning to create their pages.

7.      The days before vacation in April were catch up for all phases of the project.  The organized students were turning in two finished reports and putting finishing touches on their pages.  The disorganized were scurrying to finish before the April 8^th deadline. Some didn’t make it.

8.      April 20^th  through April 23^rd  are the first days back from vacation and the final days of our project.

Reflections

I began this project thinking it would be a cute filler activity for my inclusion class. When I introduced the idea on the first day of school, sharing with them the facts about Labor Day, the students were excited and eager to begin.  However, beginning could not happen until the NYS tests were out of the way.

 We began our task early enough that time should not have been a problem.  However, the lack of available computer time and portable laptop carts that were set to “word” and not the new “pages” programs turned out to create havoc.  It seemed every classroom was trying to schedule time in the same little window of opportunity.  And with my schedule constraints, it was hard to continue with our ELA text and activities and add in this major component.  With those problems ongoing, my students and I embraced the project to the best of their abilities.

My students are unlike any class I’ve ever had.  They have poor organization skills, few computer skills, and high distractibility.  Coupled with the difficulty in getting computer access, this made for a long, long project. 

On the good side, my class was very involved and excited about the facts that they found.  They delighted in creating the scrapbook pages to artistically share their information, and the scrapbook itself is beautiful. Writing the research papers required much one-on-one assistance, but the students were so proud of their work.

 Would I do this again?  Yes, but I would not assign two holidays per child.  That was too much for many of my students.  A better plan would have been to allow a child to finish one holiday, then choose another when done, if time allowed.  This was overwhelming for me.

I will send pictures of the finished  project will we have  it on the server.

HOLIDAY SELECTION

An American Holiday Scrapbook

Fact Finding Sheet

Directions:
 Find at least 50 details about your holiday. Suggestions…      A.  What is the history of your holiday?
      B.  Where was it originally celebrated?
      C.  Why did they celebrate it?
      D.  How did they celebrate it?
      E.  When did it become an American holiday?

      F.  Why did it become an American holiday?
      F.  Is it a national holiday?
      G.  Is it a religious holiday?
      H.  How do we celebrate your holiday today?

              
  Find graphics, cards, photos, etc. for your holiday.

  Be sure to keep accurate records, including bibliography.

Timeline for Holiday Project

February 10^th --  Choose two holidays to research

February 12^th --  Begin researching for 50 facts

February 14 – 22  --  Vacation:  Research may be                        done at home

February 23^rd  --  Continue research in school;

                 PROGRESS CHECK

March 9^th  --  Begin writing holiday report

 

March 23^rd  --   Design & create scrapbook pages

March 31^st  --  Project report & scrapbook pages due

What’s It All About?

An American Holiday Scrapbook

Find as many details as you can about your holiday.

Holiday Project Checklist

 

www TDHAH.com

Jamestown Public Schools

197 Martin Road

Jamestown, NY 14701

Project Director: Paul Benson
716.483.7112
Fax: 716.483.7104

Web Design and  Research Team:
 Paul Benson
 Pam Brown
 Rick Bates
 Carol Shick
 Rick Walters
 Mike Swanson