Introduction

This unit was developed at San Diego State University in EDTEC 596, Interdisciplinary Teaching with Technology, Donn Ritchie, Instructor.

From the moment of birth until the last breath of life, human beings are in movement. Though our travels are often across the surface of our world, we also find ourselves experiencing emotional and mental movement in our daily lives. Journeys of the soul may lead to personal development, just as a leap of faith may move the spirit. Life continues to teach us that journeys take on many forms.

In this look at journeys we will take you from the common...to the extraordinary. We will learn from a variety of sources including words, people, and numbers. Writers of the world will talk to us of their journeys. Our explorations will range from important historical movements to the realms of the mind and mathematical space.

This unit will revolve around the theme of journeys. Social Science will examine the historic period of the westward movement in the United States. Language Arts will explore literature that encompasses both personal growth and adventurous travel. The Mathematical focus of this unit will examine both the spatial and real world applications that deal with distance, volume, and geometry.

Content Areas and Grades

Social Studies, Language Arts, and Math will be incorporated into a multi-disciplinary unit. The grades are middle-school range---6th through 8th. It is largely focused in social studies and language arts, with math incorporated as much as possible. The content is appropriate for various styles of learning.

Curriculum Standards

This unit will address the standards of curriculum using the California framework.

Social Studies Standards Addressed

• Creative problem solving.
• Group participation and teamwork.
• Utilization of planning and organizational skills.
• Recognize the impact of the Westward Movement on our nationís cultural life.
• Learn about the impact on environment, national image, and native Americans.
• Understand reasons that lead to western migration.
• Sharpen map-making skills.
• Critical thinking.
• Categorization and estimation.

Language Arts Standards Addressed

• Students will find meaning through personal experiences.
• Students will draw connections to their own lives
• Students will explore a variety of journey types
• Students will realize the effects of the journeys
• Students will demonstrate ability to role play

Mathematics Standards Addressed

• Basic Skills: multiplication, division, addition, and subtraction
• Volume and Circumference
• Distance
• Estimating and Comparing

Organizing Theme and Guiding Questions

Implementation Overview

The unit is organized around a three week block of time, encompassing two to three periods of instruction per day. It will be taught as an interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary unit.

Material Resources Needed

Social Science

• Class textbooks will be used as partial reference material.
• Class encyclopedias for supplemental info.
• Drawing materials needed for map making and charting of trails selected.
• "Oregon Trail" software (# of copies depends on computer availability.)
• Early California History, and Western reference materials---library.
• Video: "How the West was won."

Mathematics

• Maps of the United States
• Rulers
• Graph Paper

Language Arts

• Class set of The House on Mango Street.
• PBS documentary The Donner Party.
• TV and VCR

Human Resources Needed

The unit is planned for 3 teachers. Parents and aides would be helpful when small-group activities are used.

Entry Level Skills and Knowledge

Learners will likely have been introduced to this material in the grade school history classes, but an early class could be devoted to the refreshing of memories. The concept of Westward movement can be explained to those students new to the system.

For the mathematics portion, students need to have adequate basic skills: addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. They should be familiar with reading maps and scales.

Outline of Activities

Evaluation

Students will be evaluated in a variety of ways according to the individual disciplines. Journals, maps, and projects will reflect their acquired knowledge.

Conclusion

This unit will focus on overcoming obstacles throughout journeys. The students will come away with a good understanding of what it takes to make that journey and have new respect for those that have previously journeyed. They will practice group decision making, planning, and crisis management. They will examine the impact of journeys from multiple perspectives, and gain an appreciation of what was accomplished... and what was lost. Students will be able to analyze the impact of journeys on the development of society.