Third Graders Look to the Past to Inform the Future

The mysterious Agent X has given our 3rd grade students a task to work on during their Integrated Learning and Information Sciences (ILIS) time in the Kovler Family Library and ILIS Lab.

When the new Kovler Family Library opened at the beginning of the school year, Agent X contacted the ILIS teachers with a special mission for 3rd graders to perform. First, Agent X asked students to apply to the elite team of special agents. They had to apply by describing skill sets they could provide (e.g., “I have an eye for detail,” or “I am a great collaborator,” etc). After the mission approved them to participate, students received a cryptic note telling them to “look to the past to inform the future.”

Next, Agent X gave tasks to the students. These missions included exploring innovations in transportation in Chicago History, but Agent X didn’t make it easy. Agent X left research materials like pieces of birch bark, 18th century maps, Native American artifacts and more. Through exploring databases, examining primary resource books and studying the artifacts, students uncovered the amazing breakthrough Native American tribes made with the creation of the birch bark canoe.

Next, Agent X asked teams of 3rd graders to construct their own birch bark canoe models using materials like birch bark wrapping paper, birch bark straws and flat wooden pieces. Students crafted and tested their designs—and they created buoyant canoes, which tied into their study of buoyancy in Science class with Mr. Audrain. Their canoes performed well, so we’ll have to wait and see what Agent X has in store for us next!

Click here for photos of this unit.