During the same explorer unit, we learned about how the Hudson Bay Company hired men to trap animals and then trade their fur. Students participating in role playing. Half the class were Hudson Bay managers conducting the interviews. The rest of the class were interviewing for a fur trapper position. Both sides had a list of demands, but they also had to learn to compromise on issues they could deal with or without.

After learning about Lewis and Clark, we wrote an expository paragraph about their journey. We came up with a topic sentence together, then each group wrote a supporting detail sentence. Then we put them all together and came up with a concluding sentence. After some revising and editing, here is the class's final draft.

          Lewis and Clark led the Corps of Discovery westward to explore the land. President Jefferson sent Lewis and companion, Clark, to survey the new American land. Lewis and Clarks’ goals were to trade with the natives, make maps, and to find a waterway to the Pacific. They also wanted to collect wildlife and animal samples. On the way, they met Sacajawea who was with the Hidatsa tribe. She was captured from her Shoshone tribe years earlier. During Lewis and Clark’s expedition, they ran into many dangers such as rattlesnakes, bears, and bad weather. When they finally reached the Pacific, they were very excited, yet disappointed because they were exhausted.

In Washington, we have something called a rain shadow effect. On Monday, we conducted a simulation in which the "clouds" gathered water over the ocean as it evaporated, then they released some of the rain over the Olympic Mountains, a little bit over the Western Lowlands, then lots of precipitation over the Cascade Mountains. By the time the clouds get over the mountains, they are out of precipitation and eventually they dissipate, leaving just sun over eastern Washington. That in essence is the Rain Shadow Effect.

In social studies, we are continuing on from geography to focusing on Washington's 5 regions. This unit involves many GLAD strategies (visual and kinesthetic strategies combined to help all children take their learning to a deeper level, especially ELL students).

Today students looked at Observation Charts to help them access their background knowledge, so they could apply to what they would be learning about the 5 regions. Students also worked as groups to sort images that had something to do with Washington. You can see them doing these things here.