GLENWOOD LANDING FOURTH GRADERS PARTICIPATE IN NATIVE AMERICAN CULMINATION DAY

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After months of intensive study on the Native American unit including a hands-on visit by Tipi Ted and the Traveling Wilderness Museum as part of the social studies curriculum, fourth graders at Glenwood Landing School participated in a Native American Culmination day.


Mrs. Audra Marcantonio, GWL School-Wide Enrichment Services teacher, said “Glenwood students analyzed the culture of the Native Americans of long ago through the lens of North Shore District's Shared Valued Outcomes.  The fourth graders considered how the Native Americans were problem solvers, innovators, thinkers, communicators, collaborators, and committed individuals.  Within the self-reflection portion of the day, students contemplated how they themselves might have demonstrated these qualities as the participants in the workshops."   

This meaningful day was organized by the Glenwood Landing Collaboration Team in conjunction with GWL fourth grade teachers. “The special day revolved around interest-based workshops that deepen learning and connect to understandings as well the standards,” said Mrs. Marcantonio. Students were able to choose from the following workshops including: False Face Masks, Music/Dance Workshop, Longhouse Shelter, Oral Tradition- Storytelling, Artistic Symbols, and Survival Through Nature which were led by all of the fourth grade teachers, Mrs. Marcantonio, Mr. Carpenter, Mrs. Cheung, and Mrs. Moran. The day ended with students’ reflections both in teacher-led groups and self-reflection to enhance their metacognition skills.  

Mrs. Marcantonio summarized by saying, “Throughout the day, the following five important understandings (below) were emphasized to the fourth graders including:
  • Where you live impacts how you live.
  • People work together and make decisions about how to use limited resources to meet unique needs and wants.
  • Historical events have many causes and many effects and teach us about our lives today
  • History is filled with many versions of the same event based on who is telling the story
  • Community values determine how governments and citizens make rules and solve problems”
The students were asked to work with their peers and teachers to discuss which understanding connects most to their experience in the workshops and why? Additionally, they were instructed to be prepared to discuss their thinking with evidence and examples from their experience.”
Photo Caption: Article and photos by Shelly Newman with guidance from Mrs. Audra Marcantonio
Pictured are Glenwood students analyzing the culture of the Native Americans of long ago through the lens of North Shore District's Shared Valued Outcomes.  The fourth graders were able to choose from the following workshops including: False Face Masks, Music/Dance Workshop, Longhouse Shelter, Oral Tradition- Storytelling, Artistic Symbols, and Survival Through Nature.