Nebraska Social Studies Standard: 4.21
NCSS Theme: People, Places, Environment
Suggested Grade Levels: 4-5
Time for Unit: 1-3 class periods (20 - 30 min. periods)Objectives: Students will be able to:
- Investigate primary sources such as maps and school records, to draw conclusions about their school's history
- Create a map of the old and new districts
- Identify community resources
Gathering Primary and Secondary Sources:
What is the difference between a primary and secondary source?1. Ask your colleagues when your school consolidation took place.
- Visit the county clerk's office to research school records.
2. Locate a plat map of the district prior to consolidation from the county courthouse, (probably the county clerk's office).
- How many schools were merged in the consolidation?
- Where were the schools located?
- Where is the consolidated school located?
3. Create blank township maps.
4. To learn more about the history of your district:
- Contact your local historical organization.
- Locate primary and secondary history sources at the Nebraska State Historical Society.
- How to "read" primary sources. (The National Archives and Records Administration Digital Classroom).
5. After you have visited these locations, make another research trip with your students.
Classroom Procedures:
- Review definitions for absolute and relative location. Ask students to give examples during discussion.
- Use historic maps and absolute location to find the original schools in your district.
- Plot the locations on a current township map and create an identification key. See example of a student map.
- Assessment: Students will choose a school and write examples of relative and absolute location.
Return to Mapping the History of District 83