This week we will begin learning about the European settlers (colonizers) who came to the indigenous land of Turtle Island beginning in the early 1600's. As these colonizers began taking over the land and displacing the indigenous people, the land known as Turtle Island became the United States of America.

Watch this video to see how the indigenous land was taken for the United States.

Monday:

Draw a picture of the image that comes to mind when you think of "colonists." Take your time and try to be detailed. You may also use words to label or add to your drawing.

Write down your understandings of the words colonists, colonies, and colonization

Where do your ideas about these words come from? What information do you think is missing from your current understanding? Whose stories might be missing in your current understanding? Write down the questions you have leading into this unit.

Tuesday & Wednesday

read: Zinn ch. 3 "Who Were the Colonists?"

As you read, think about how your understanding of who "the colonists" are might be shifting. Record this new information and changes in your thinking.

Thursday: Draw a new image to show your new understanding of who the colonists were. This can be a drawing like you did before, or it can be a video, poster, google slides, writing, Padlet etc.

Friday: Discussion, 1:00pm on Zoom

Be prepared to share your drawings from the week and to share how your understanding has grown.

Monday:

What do you know about colonies that exist today? Do colonies exist? If so, what are they? Does the United States have colonies? Take a few minutes to write down everything that you know, think you know, or want to know.

watch John Oliver segment on American Territories (file edited for fifth grade audience)

Tuesday:

Update your Padlet with a few things that you learned from the John Oliver video yeserday.

Visit VoteSaveAmerica.com, and make note: which territories were able to vote in this presidential election?

Who do you think might want citizens living in US territories to be able to vote? Who does not want these citizens to vote? How do you think presidential election results might be different if these citizens could vote?

Wednesday:

Read the Slate article, "The Biggest Issues in the Places Where Americans Can't Vote for President"

What are some of the issues that American citizens living in these territories care about?

Thursday:

update Padlet with new learnings about American colonies/territories/colonization

If you have extra time, take a look at this article Washington Post article, ""

Friday: Discussion, 1pm on Zoom

Be prepared to discuss what you learned this week. We will be talking about:

• Should the United States have colonies? Why or why not?

• How does racism and white supremacy impact America's relationship with its territories?

• What should we do about it?