Washington GT Magnet Elementary School

3-5 Electives

Social Studies

AFRICAN AMERICANS IN U. S. HISTORY
Who navigated one of Columbus' ships? Who built one of the first clocks in America? Who invented the first traffic light? Find out in this in-depth study of contributions made by African Americans.

AROUND THE WORLD IN 30 DAYS - AG
Geography and map skills will be practiced as we travel the globe. Research skills will be used to learn about the countries of the world. Booklets or computer databases will be used to compile basic facts about the countries studied.

CRYSTAL BALL, THE –AG
In this course of study, students will be introduced to the concept of prediction, the ability to forecast future events. To make an accurate prediction, one must make close observations, find relevant information, discover possible patterns, recognize trends, and infer what might happen under similar conditions in the future. Those who are good at this skill seek to use past and present information to forecast future events.

LESSONS IN LEADERSHIP
Students will study leadership techniques and the characteristics of persons that are, or have been, influential leaders in our country. Students will be asked to assume school leadership roles and practice techniques acquired through this course.

NATIVE AMERICANS
What was it like to be a Native American in the United States before the arrival of the Europeans? What kind of clothes would you have worn? Would you have played games? Or would all your time have been spent working, hunting, or other survival activities? In this class you will learn about all aspects of Native American life, including learning basic dance steps and traditional crafts.

RACING THE IDITAROD
This elective class will familiarize students with the annual running of the Iditarod race, which winds its way each year across the state Alaska. Students will learn about the history of the race that originally followed an old mail route, prior to more regular use of airplanes. Additionally students will follow an actual Iditarod racer, and eventually make plans and preparations for themselves, as though they were going to enter the race. Geography, History, Math and reading will all be integral parts of this class.

WORLDS OF WONDER
In this unit, students will explore the spectacular, mysterious and wonderful world around them. Students will become “global geniuses”, gaining deeper knowledge of geography of North Carolina, the United States, North American, and the Earth. The students will be involved in activities where they use their creativity to understand the world, such as building 3-dimensional models, making maps, producing multimedia travel guides, and using food to create landforms. The students will utilize computer and available media technologies to learn about the Earth’s geography.

Washington GT Magnet Elementary School
Phone: (919) 856-7960 / Fax: (919) 856-7985