Native American Project

During the month of March, students in the 5th grade researched indigenous Native American Groups. The research was then presented through three modalities:

• The design and Creation of a diorama, modeling some aspect of their chosen group


• Utilizing maps to describe and analyze the historical and geographical location of the group


• Construction of a Comprehensive Window to analyze and synthesize informational text

Students were guided by the Comprehensive Window Strategy (CWS), an informational text strategy that enhances comprehension during the process of reading and writing and includes the design and creation of an instructional prop. The strategy incorporates varied learning styles and allows for students independence in decision making and supports critical thinking.

Students were enthusiastically engaged throughout the process resulting in higher-order-learning outcomes: individual understanding and creativity, cooperative group culture and peer partnering culminating to motivate and transform students into active readers, writers and researchers. This Native American Project challenged students to interact with historical artifacts, understand topography, envision what life was like, and more, and finally present models representing their new knowledge.

Mrs. Anisha Muhammad, 5th grade teacher, is to be commended for engaging to enlighten students on a Native American trek as evident that a picture is worth a thousand words!

(Source) The Reading Teacher - Vol. 61 (7) - April 2008