History of Jordan’s Point – Social Studies/English

I.              In-class Preparation

Students piece together the history of Jordan’s Point through a two-session jigsaw activity.  In each session, the class is divided into 4 groups.  Each group member is given a copy of the same material.  Together the group members read and discuss the material, preparing themselves to teach this material to their un-informed peers.  When all groups are ready, students recombine into 4 new groups, each member representing a different era in history.  Members then share with peers their special expertise. At the end of each session, teacher may wish to gauge understanding by a written exercise or constructing a class-time line with the photos and materials.

Session I:    Settlement to Pre-Civil War                  Session II: Civil War to Present

Group 1:     1738 - 1820                                         Group 1:  1860 - 1870

Group 2:     1820 – 1850, part 1                             Group 2:  1870 - 1880

Group 3:     1820 – 1850, part 2                             Group 3:  1880 - 1945

Group 4:     1850 - 1860                                         Group 4:  1945 - present

Note:  Each group in Session II also has a first-person narrative related to the events highlighted.  These could be shared aloud, read separately, or omitted.

II.            In-field Investigation

During the WSI Training Day at Jordan's Point, students in groups of 15 will rotate through an hour-long activity entitled, “Super Sleuths.”  During the activity, students will draw on their knowledge of history, geography, and science, to reconstruct the story of Jordan’s Point from landscape clues, ruins, and photographs.  Dividing into 2 teams each led by an adult facilitator, the students will investigate different places on the Point, recording their findings and questions on individual maps.  At the end of the session, groups will reconvene to share information and pool their unanswered questions.