Helpmates, Ever, They:
Promoting Group Identity and Cohesion Through Building a Longhouse Within a Third Grade Native American Social Studies Curriculum
This 97-page graduate school thesis, complete with bibliography and appendix, tells the story of building a full-size Native American longhouse in a 3rd grade classroom. Although the main purpose of this large-scale project is to address the demands of the social studies curriculum, I sought to also address social concerns and issues of group cohesion that had risen that year.
This thesis would likely be interesting and helpful to any elementary teacher responsible for a Native American curriculum, as it really gives you a sense of how to get something like this off the ground, and why it's so valuable. I also think any educator interested in promoting group harmony through large-scale, hands-on projects would find it useful and relevant.
Report Copyright InfringementNo Feedback for this product yet
Help
I've taught at a wonderful and well-known progressive Manhattan school, City & Country School, for 11 years� 5 years in the 3rd/4th grade classroom and 6 more as School Librarian/ Reading Teacher. The curriculum is driven by a strong emphasis on social studies and hands-on, student-directed learning. Throughout this time I've also done some administrative work managing the team of specials teachers and overseeing the team sports program (I love to coach almost as much as I love to teach!). Teachers at City&Country are constantly creating curriculum because the program is so responsive to the student. I taught all subjects and generated and revised material of incredible variety: social studies trips; process math and writing; the implementation of a student-run post office; building a native american longhouse; book groups; basketball practices... even juggling! I have my masters in elementary education from Bank Street College, another progressive institution. In the summers I tutor in reading and math, and run my own basketball clinic for young children.
