Susan+Fronek+Final+Project

COMPLETED

​ If you click the pictures and the videos don't play, click on the link listed. Kindergarten Transportation Unit I have often used transportation as a theme for my students. Being an SLP, the unit has always focused on language. We look at the who, what and where of different vehicles. We compare them (bus vs. car vs. truck) and the categorize them. Until this class, I had never thought about looking at past and present vehicles. I have to admit that I have always assumed, history/social studies would be difficult for my students because time is so abstract. The the primary sources I have discovered, I think the long ago time can right to them. So when I take a concrete topic such as transportation (something my students can relate to) and pair it with primary sources I see that I can get my students thinking beyond the surface descriptions and learning to critically think about it. The powerpoint presentation could be shown all at once as an overview, I suppose, but I think I will show it in stages. Since I only have one 30 minute group lesson a week, I would take 6 weeks to complete the whole project. To begin we will discuss travel and brainstorming how to get from place to place and looking a the maps of our area. Asking questions such as how long do you think it would take to get somewhere? Then over the next four weeks we will look at each type of transportation, comparing long ago to today. The final week would conclude with reviewing the tyoes of travel and taking a train ride (the station is within walking distance of the sschool). For every week the students would each add a page in a class travel journal as an assessment. Each week a new page would reflect what the students learned. The students would each get a copy of our class journal to take home and share. Week 1: I would like to travel to... Week 2:The best part about riding on a canal boat is... Week 3: I would like to ride on a long ago/today train because... Week 4: If I built a car it would... Week 5: I would/would not want to ride in Wilbur Wright's airplane because... Week 6: When I travel to, I will get there by__. In conclusion, I hope that by teaching transportation using primary sources I will not only use langauge to talk about the basic vocabulary, but I will have my students become more critical thinkers.

Susan,

I really enjoyed your presentation. You incorporated a number of sources and in different formats to appeal to students with different learning styles. I also like how you have your students compare different modes of transportation from different time periods. What an engaging activity for your kindergartners. Great job!

Rob

Susan,

I enjoyed viewing your presentation. I really like to see what younger students are learning and how you tap into their curiosity. I think comparing old forms and new forms of transportation provides them with a visual way of making a connection. I bet they have lots of stories to add as you discuss your power point. I'm sure some on task and some that have nothing to do with the topic. It is also great to show them something about their town and a place that the family can take an outing to. That makes history come alive and not something just in books. I enjoyed working with you in our small groups. Thanks for all your help. Good luck and good job. (Pat Cassner)

My son is in Kindergarten, Susan, and I find your project to be a wonderful, enriching experience! You really tap the visual and audio learners! It's always interesting to see the work of peers who teach such a different age than my students (9th graders). I enjoyed watching your presentation and hope it work well for you with students:) Good work, Sue Nelson

Susan, What a GREAT presentation! I am certain that the students will enjoy learning about transportation with all the information, visual and auditory, that you provided. Shirley

Great Job Susan! I enjoyed viewing your presentation. All the information and activities are completely age appropriate. If I still taught Kindergarten, I would love to use this with my students (giving credit to you of course! :) ) Well done!! Melissa