Rationale
We chose to use the Early Northwest Coast People Storypath because it aligns with the Washington State Standards for third grade in Washington State. Students may not be provided with a complete understanding of the Northwest Coast people in very early years, but we would like for students to understand common human needs not only at the physical level, but at the emotional level as well. Students will be able to relate to this curriculum knowing the area of the Northwest coast, some of them may identify with the environmental importance to the people of this community. Students will develop an understanding of cultural differences between themselves, early northwest coast people and settlers who arrived here in the 1800’s.
In order for students to become engaged, informed citizens, third grade standards state that they will discover Washington State in the past and present. This Storypath will allow students to make a personal connection to this standard while engaging emotionally in what life may have been like in the past for the people of this state. They will become personally involved in the creation of their story, which allows them to develop a deeper understanding of people and events in Washington at this time. Through the development of this Storypath, students will continue to learn at the standard levels while exploring the physical characteristics of the state in a key era of history. They will look at issues with multiple perspectives. Through this Storypath students will learn to connect prior knowledge to subject matter. Students will learn to understand that their world is constantly changing and will develop skills to learn as “caring, informed, critical and active citizens.” (McGuire & Cole, 2010, p. 5).
In order for students to become engaged, informed citizens, third grade standards state that they will discover Washington State in the past and present. This Storypath will allow students to make a personal connection to this standard while engaging emotionally in what life may have been like in the past for the people of this state. They will become personally involved in the creation of their story, which allows them to develop a deeper understanding of people and events in Washington at this time. Through the development of this Storypath, students will continue to learn at the standard levels while exploring the physical characteristics of the state in a key era of history. They will look at issues with multiple perspectives. Through this Storypath students will learn to connect prior knowledge to subject matter. Students will learn to understand that their world is constantly changing and will develop skills to learn as “caring, informed, critical and active citizens.” (McGuire & Cole, 2010, p. 5).
