4th Grade: Colonial Life

The fourth grade social studies curriculum is centered around colonial life. Through a series of in-depth studies of the Pilgrims and New Amsterdam students begin to understand what life was like for people arriving in the “New World.” Was it for religious freedom or profit, or some other reason? And how did these people impact on the Native Americans already living there? Through discussions, readings, role-playing, and journal writing, an understanding of the sacrifices and hardships that were endured by early colonists comes alive. To give the students a sense of reality, a series of trips are made to bring to life the information learned in the classroom. One trip to Harriman State Park, is a day in the woods “as if we are entering this New World for the first time.” The grade is divided into three groups: the cooks, who will find food in the woods natural to the area to prepare and cook our lunch; the shelter builders, who will build a temporary shelter for the group to live in until a permanent sight is located; and the explorers, who undertake a hike around the area mapping and finding evidence of animal habitats to decide on the best location for a permanent village site. Another trip takes us to Plymouth, Massachusetts to spend a day and a night at Plimoth Plantation to interact with and learn in a “hands – on “ way about life as a Pilgrim. A final unit is on research. Each student chooses one colonial craft or trade to become the class “expert” on. The process of research is taught from note-taking, writing a bibliography, outlining, and putting their research on the computer, and editing it to a final report. To bring alive the drama and beauty of craftsman and their art, we go on a trip to Old Sturbridge Village in Sturbridge, Massachusetts, to spend a day observing and interacting with the craftspeople as well as doing hands-on workshops in various colonial crafts.