These are first graders' awesome end of the unit projects! They had SO much fun teaching others about our special location, our Lakota community!

This is the infographic students create in Module 3, Lesson 4.

The students were insightful and open-minded during our unit. They learned all about global connections and how we can be global citizens. It has been an enlightening unit for the kids to see how connected we are to the people and places around the world. A student of mine is learning to read in Mandarin so he read a version of The Hungry Caterpillar, I read it in English, and our ESL teacher read it in Spanish. After we interviewed his mom who was pulled to America from Taiwan after falling in love many years ago. We learned so much! It was a great example of how globalization and cultural diffusion is alive and thriving. It was an incredible experience to have them see how everything we have been learning is a part of who we are as humans. We did a mural for our final product this time and they came up with the idea of a variety of people holding hands to show unity around the world. This is before it was hung up in the school.

These posters were made by one of the first grade classrooms. This was their way to demonstrate their understanding of diversity and how it's okay to be different.

Our steps for this project were inspired by discussing the multi cultural elements of the 2022 Winter Olympics. Games are something we can share and play together regardless of culture or language. Games can also be cultural diffusion. They decided to make posters, but with a comic strip embedded with the directions. We practiced presenting to each other and then took turns on the announcements. That will be an ongoing part of our project that will occur every Monday morning.

Students made brochures to showcase their special location… West Chester, Ohio!

While completing the Navigating School Unit, we used shape blocks to create a map of our school. After creating this hands-on visual, we created picture versions with a few more details than the blocks allowed. Each group of students was in charge of creating a map of each of the main rooms of the school we use (classroom, office, lunchroom, library, gym, music, playground), then we all drew ourselves on one piece of paper labeled "US". We posted these up connecting each picture as well as to a (real) picture of our school building. The students enjoyed creating both versions of our school map and took great pride in having the web on display all unit.

Students really enjoyed working together to create something meaningful.

Students loved learning about map skills so we made our own maps. Students had to include a map key and the compass rose. The finished work was amazing!

This is a display our kindergarten created while discussing how we can help our school community by showing kindness. After completing a kindness page, each student was able to show their ideas and understanding on a wall in the hallway for all of the school to read and enjoy.

These are samples of the student's letters. Our process was researching and choosing businesses, learning how to write a letter, peer editing and utilizing feedback, creating the rubric together, and writing a final draft.

This is the infographic students create in Module 3, Lesson 4.