Student Research and Discovery: Sense of Place through the Seasonal Round
The seasonal round provides a point of inquiry for students to examine in any subject area and can culminate in many projects, from developing weather graphs to interviewing community members. Students are introduced to the concept of the seasonal round, how traditions vary from season to season, and how the seasonal round contributes to the uniqueness of a place and a community.
They first chart birthdays and dates of personal interest on seasonal round calendars and then identify important seasonal traditions in the life of their families or friend groups. Finally, students engage primary resources to listen and see how seasonal changes affect their own lives and the culture of their community. Going through the activities in this order provides scaffolding for assessing the ways stories and activities can be mapped across time and season. This unit asks: What can students learn about themselves, their families, their region, and the world by examining the seasonal round in their own lives and through primary sources?
Essential Questions
How do seasons provide a framework for discovering a sense of place?
What can primary sources tell us about shifts of a topic (climate, family gatherings, community culture) over time?
