Today I sat in awe while I watched a fifth grade teacher incorporate primary source documents into a lesson on WWII. The lesson was in progress when I entered the room. Mrs. A was giving book introductions to all the historical fiction novels she was recommending for her students to read. She went through her bucket of books one by one and speaking honestly about two of the books she had not read but she told passionately about what her students have said about the book. She gave a brief overview of each book and spoke with passion about her favorites. I was hooked as well and wanted to read several. Books ranged from World War II to the Holocaust.
Primary Source Documents:
She had several front page copies of the NY Times. She introduced each and passed one to each group. She gave them paper to write their most intersting facts they learned from their investigation. Every student in the room was engaged and cooperating. I walked around and they were actually looking and making notes about all the headlines. You could tell these kids had moved to the next level as learners. They were hooked and they started asking questions in their group and to the teacher. I moved around the room and listened to their conversations.
Sharing:
Students returned to their seats and they started sharing out what they had learned. I was more impressed with what they had noticed. They were making inferences. They were thinking like historians. They were sharing their understandings from their point of view about this era and then the conversation turned to “I have a grandma who live during that time.” “I have a great uncle that fought in WWII.”
21st Century:
I was not in typical social studies classroom and it looked far different from the classroom I sat in when I was a fifth grader. Kids were thinking like historian- making inferences, asking questions, drawing conclusions. Everyone had the opportunity to participate as some level.