探索研究技能

Students in Ward Russell’s fourth grade social studies classes have been delving into the Age of Exploration by studying the seven reasons for exploration this spring. 学生们从好奇心、民族自豪感、扩展贸易路线、传播宗教、对更多财富、外国商品和名声的渴望等方面考察了探索的基础。 他们将自己对探索原因的理解作为他们的探险家传记项目的出发点。 

沃德要求每个学生了解一位著名探险家的生活和成就，并将这些信息提炼成一张布告板。 虽然每个学生都使用一个带有指导性问题的组织者作为他们研究的基础，但希望四年级学生自己也能像探险家一样，寻找信息并追随他们的好奇心。 “We help them to find additional sources to explore and encourage them to watch documentaries as well,” says Ward. 今年早些时候，这个项目已经研究了美洲土著部落，继续磨练四年级学生的非小说研究技能。 学生们正在学习识别可靠资源的基本技能，突出文本中的关键信息，做笔记，并尽可能清晰简洁地表达他们的信息。 Ward reinforces the fact that good notes don’t require complete sentences, just essential information.

探索者博览会的高潮强调了广泛研究的必要性。 5月19日，沃德邀请家庭和低年级学生与每位探险家见面，听他们谈论他们的成就和性格上的挑战！ 学生能够即兴回答问题的要求要求他们深入挖掘他们所选择的探险家的生活和经历。 “They might face some tough and tricky questions,” he says, “but that’s also part of the students immersing themselves in their chosen explorer.” 当参观者在探险者的贸易展览中徘徊时，每个学生都做了一个小小的介绍，并回答了一些问题。 The costumes ranged from the simple but effective donning of Jacques Cousteau’s little red knit hat to a bearded, sherpa-wrapped Leif Erikson. “I tell them not to spend money on costumes, but to explore how they could dress in character with materials they already have,” says Ward. “It's one of my favorite parts of this project because I have no idea what they will come in looking like, and there's nothing better than seeing the students arrive on Expo day and seeing their creativity on full display!”