The Conquistadors

About

Students will understand how the arrival of European Conquistadors affected the local cultures here in Florida and how these influences shaped the world we live in today through researching a particular figure or event. They will understand how the destruction of culture affected the future of the world and how disregarding/assimilating cultures can affect a region for years to come.

Students will complete a final project of their choosing to film/photograph and describe on their page (powerpoint, poster, photostory, movie, play, report or sculpture) through the following resources:
-Specialized google search / kid friendly search engines
-EBSCOhost for schools
-Any materials for project creation (glue, posterboard, markers, etc)
-Classroom and school library

In the end, they will have a better understanding of how inequality affected various people throughout history and be able to see both sides of an issue and evaluate the pros and cons of each. This will help critical thinking to make more informed decisions on right and wrong. They will develop the 21st century skills of cross-cultural understanding, utilizing new technology, critical thinking and communication.

Standards:
Florida Sunshine State Standards: 4th grade: Social studies: American History: Big Idea 3: Exploration and settlement of Florida. Please see the standards page for a full list.

The project's essential problem, question or issue:
Why do you think it is right or wrong for the conquistadors to come to a country that already has a population and impose new standards of living on them?

Timeline: Oct. 11, 2011 - Nov. 01, 2011

Category: Social Sciences & Culture > Indigenous Peoples