Learning Symphony ~ As American As Apple Pie

As American As Apple Pie
A Fully-Developed Interdisciplinary Project Using the Power of
Technology to Increase Learning for Grades 2 through 5

Overview
Recent events have caused many Americans to demonstrate their patriotic pride. Yet, a strong feeling of American patriotism is not a new concept. Did you know that the saying"as American as apple pie" was first used in America's original thirteen colonies? Did you know that apple pie is a symbol of patriotism? Now your class will have the opportunity to share their patriotism as part of a unique learning experience.

As American As Apple Pie is an interdisciplinary project that incorporates document-based learning and technology to expand students' learning experiences. In this series of realworld activities, your students will explore patriotism and citizenship from a new perspective! Your class will create a variety of multimedia presentations, books, and other products to demonstrate what they have learned about the history of the United States and what it means to be an American citizen.

As American As Apple Pie is designed to provide young students with opportunities to develop questioning, speaking, and listening skills. Designed for students in grades 2 through 5, this project is driven by the standards of several disciplines including social studies, language arts, and mathematics. Over the next few weeks, your class will investigate, learn about, and then teach others about America's history, government, and ideals.

Project Scope
The project's structure includes a comprehensive introduction that assesses and augments students' background knowledge, two distinct but interrelated learning phases, and a culminating event in which students demonstrate their learning.


	Introduction:		You're A Grand Old Flag – Students will learn how to research using primary and secondary resources, text, and the Internet. They will create a multimedia presentation about one of the fundamental symbols of the United States, the American flag!
	Phase One:		America's Symbols – Students will explore a variety of symbols associated with the United States as well as develop an understanding of what these symbols represent. They will create brochures that identify America's symbols, their history, and their meaning. Students will create a game based on the information they have learned.

Phase Two:

America's Heritage – Students will use a variety of primary and secondary source materials such as signs, posters, oral narratives, songs, movies, newspapers, and letters to gain an understanding of America's past. Working in cooperative groups, students will produce a class newspaper focusing on one or more periods of American history.

The culminating activity will be a "Tribute to America." This day will be an opportunity to celebrate student achievement. Students will share their enthusiasm and patriotism by showcasing presentations, newspapers, books, and other products they created to invited guests.