Grade Four Social Studies - Identity

Learning about the province that you live in is so imporant at this level, and the topic of identity in grade four social studies focusses on Saskatchewan as a province and key facts that goes along with that. I was able to locate a website that deals with the important emblems of Saskatchewan such as the province flag, the western red lilly and the coat of arms. On this website provides a picture of the emblems as well as facts and information to go along with them. It shows all of the specific colors of the emblems as well which gives the students a true identity of what they all look like and can recognize them ouside of the classroom.

I would use this website in my classroom by first having a few lessons with the students about the history of our province and how it came to be. After the students would have a brief overview of the province, I would then get them to access this website to see what the emblems of Saskatchewan really look like and the meaning behind them. I would then have my students jot down facts and information about one of the emblems into their learning log journals, and then draw the picture to go along with the factual information. After they complete this, I would have the students return to their desks and we would discuss the province emblems as a class and I would elaborate further on them.

I feel this website would benefit my students learning in the way that by allowing them to actually see the emblems online and full of color they are getting a visual perspective of what they really look like. Also, by having a class discussion after accessing the website the students are sharing ideas and personal opinions and learning from one another as well. This website helps to involve and motivate students by using pictures and graphics; and many children find these areas to be interesting which allows them to learn and progress at a faster rate. By allowing the students to access and view the website it develops mental models of the emblem inside their head to increase the chance of them remembering it!