Fourth graders learn Colorado history
Fourth grade students from Buffalo Ridge Elementary school listen to a docent describing Denver living in the 19th century during a recent field trip to the History Colorado Center.
Buffalo Ridge Elementary School (BRE) recently took fourth grade students on a field trip to the History Colorado Center in downtown Denver. The annual outing is one of two activities culminating the semester-long social studies unit on the history of Colorado. The other event is the Colorado Days celebration which took place on December 17.
The field trip led students through four primary exhibits focusing on varied times and aspects of Colorado life. Spanning from ancient Puebloans and Ute cultures to the gold rush and silver boom of the 1800s, to the dust bowl of the 1930s and into the 20th century, students moved through time without leaving our state. Many students enjoyed the mining and dustbowl exhibits the most.
As part of the multidisciplined curriculum on state history, students did projects, activities and lessons in their regular classroom, as well as across the rest of their classes including art, music, physical education and library.
An example of this multidimensional learning is illustrated with content about the historical hunting of American bison. BRE students who are learning about the plains and bison hunting more than a century ago may also see a herd of bison just a short drive from their homes and school. “These types of direct connections foster inherent curiosity and make history tangible, meaningful and come alive for students,” explained Michael Lazzarini, BRE fourth grade teacher.
The students had numerous opportunities to find relevance between what they learned and how history affects our community today. The result at the end of the semester was a greater understanding of what it means to be a proud Coloradan.
The Colorado Days celebration is like a science fair, but students focus on research projects about an influential individual, moment in Colorado history, or an important technological advancement in Colorado. Students create visual representations in the form of dioramas, posters, models or other representations about their chosen topic. Parents and families are invited to see the projects, hear the presentations and ask questions. Additionally, there is a grade-wide musical performance for parents to enjoy.
By Celeste McNeil; photos courtesy of Michael Lazzarini
