Fieldwork to the Highlands Ranch Mansion

Our young historians are using tools, asking questions and examining evidence for an authentic purpose as they research the history of the Highlands Ranch Mansion. The students will create a children’s tour guide that the mansion will pass out to children who visit. Please enjoy a few photos from our two fieldwork experiences. We can’t wait to share our learning with you at our Celebration of Learning on Wednesday, April 25th!

Examining Primary Sources

Our second grade historians have been observing photographs to investigate the past. Last week, the students observed the iconic photograph Migrant Mother by Dorothea Lange. The students wrote down observations, questions, and inferences pertaining to the photograph. After viewing a second photograph of the event at a wider angle, the students concluded the Migrant Mother and her family, were poor, sad, and in need of a home. We had a deep conversation about the Great Depression, the Dust Bowl, and how these events challenged migrant worker's survival. The students will use the skills of observing, questioning, and inferring when they head to the Highlands Ranch Mansion to investigate the mansion's history.

 

Line Plots

In math, our crew collaborated to collect and present data on a topic of their choice. Each second grader worked in a group to create a question and survey others. The students represented their data on a line plot and presented the line plot to our crew. We also analyzed the line plots and wrote our discoveries on whiteboards. Our mathematicians have been enjoying our unit on data!

Narratives

The students have been analyzing and writing narratives. We have created a criteria of all the essential components of a high-quality narrative. Next week, the students will be writing first story narratives. A first story is an experience in your child's life that happened for the first time. I have sent your child home with a brainstorming sheet. Please sit down with your child and generate some topics he/she can write. Some examples include: going to the beach, getting a pet, losing a tooth, riding a bike, etc. Please have your child bring this brainstorming sheet back to school. Hopefully, your family can take this time to reflect on some special memories together. :)