- Connections Across Classrooms is an eight week unit based on the New Jersey Core Curriculum Content Standards and the Washington Township fifth grade Social Studies curriculum objectives. Though an innovative cooperative unit design, students are challenged to obtain knowledge, demonstrate comprehension, apply, analyze, synthesize, and evaluate individual and peer work.
- Using a specific social studies theme, challenging, purposeful, and engaging tasks are created that promote literacy and help develop critical thinking skills.
- Teachers in two fifth grade classrooms in neighboring schools, coordinate instruction and utilize strategies that lead to successful cooperative learning across district classrooms as students master the social studies curriculum goals for the unit Western Expansion: America in the early 1800s.
- Students develop important literacy skills as they learn about the important issues and personalities that have influenced and shaped our country.
- Students explore early life in America by focusing on four Ts: Transportation, Territories, Trails, and Travelers. Students participate in lesson designs based on the Differentiated Instruction philosophy. Students also make meaningful connections through related reading, language arts, math, music, physical education, computer, and art lessons.
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