Culminating Social Studies Journal Entry Presentation, 4th Grade

The Social Studies Journal Entry Project (SSJEP) integrated the entire 4th-grade curriculum of literacy and social studies into the last trimester of the academic year. Using project-based learning and processes of researching, writing, revising, publishing and presenting the students learned valuable skills beyond their finished product. Co-teachers, Miss Holden and Mrs. Evans (Lea Gibson long term sub arrived as the projects started), were proud that 4th graders at St. Paul’s Academy received the opportunity to write their own books!

For many students, this project serves as a beneficial benchmark in their early learning development. For many students, this project is one of the biggest long-term projects they’ve undertaken thus far. The SSJEP is divided up into smaller chunks that have separate rubrics and due dates. This forced students to learn important organization and time management skills. Throughout the year many of the homework assignments begin to shift towards supporting SSJEP in order to help students be successful. Along the way, students engaged in conferences with their teachers and also use their peers as revision coaches. Miss Holden said it is rewarding to hear ten-year-olds give feedback to their peer, such as, “You should revise that because it doesn’t really fit the time period. She wouldn’t really have said that back then.”

The project wrapped up as students printed their typed entries, dyed the paper with coffee or tea to make them look old and bind them together into a journal. Each student then dresses up as their historical fictional character and reads a section of their SSJEP to a live audience. It was a celebration indeed!