Let’s Time Travel
As an educator, I enjoy cultivating a love for learning and fostering curiosity in my students. One of my favorite lessons each year is when I conduct a student-favorite research project with my fifth grade classes. This week, we embark on a thrilling journey back in time, exploring the decades from the 1920s to the 2010s.
Crafting Research Lessons Beyond the Usual Topics
In my quest to provide innovative and effective teaching materials, I found myself creating research templates tailored to guide students seamlessly through the research process. These templates are designed to be straightforward and easy to follow, allowing students to grasp the essence of research without feeling overwhelmed.
The current research assignment has become a beloved tradition among my students. The task is simple yet engaging – each student selects a decade of their choice and delves into that era using the vast resources available on the internet. This generates a lively exploration of the toys, fashions, movies, music, significant people, events, and inventions that defined the chosen decade.
An Engaging Topic and Lots for Students to Discover!
The Joy of Exploration
I find immense joy in overhearing the animated conversations among my students as they make intriguing discoveries. “My mom had a toy like that!” and “Those clothes look so funny!” are just snippets of the excitement that fills the classroom.
To ensure students have ample time for exploration, I allocate two class periods for them to gather information and complete their templates. This not only allows for thorough research but also leaves room for students to indulge in the nostalgia of fashions, toys, and other pop culture references that catch their eye.
The Grand Finale
As a memorable culmination of our study, I treat my students to an “Evolution of Dance” video clip at the end of the research assignment. Witnessing the evolution of dance moves and listening to the iconic songs from the decades they’ve just explored adds an extra layer of connection and excitement. It’s a moment that brings the past to life and leaves a lasting impression on each student. If you need a good video clip, this is one that I have used.
Note: I would caution you to carefully review any dance and music video prior to showing it to your students. Not all would be appropriate.
No-Prep, Maximum Fun
What makes this lesson truly special is its no-prep nature. It’s a fun and engaging experience that requires minimal preparation, yet it captivates the students’ attention and sparks their interest in history and culture.
Year after year, I eagerly anticipate teaching this research lesson, knowing that it not only enhances their reading and research skills but also leaves them with a sense of understanding and appreciation for the past.
Looking for additional research templates? Check out this link.