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The Digital Heritage Project is a part of The Mountain Heritage Center at Western Carolina University
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Lesson Plans Archive
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Mountain Crafts and Traditions and Their Changes Over Time
Posted on August 26, 2011 | No CommentsThis unit is designed for 4th graders studying North Carolina history. Students will explore aspects of mountain life around the turn of the century as well as aspects of mountain life today and address changes to crafts and traditions over time. -
Our North Carolina Mountains and the People Who Have Lived Here
Posted on June 29, 2011 | No CommentsThis unit is designed to give 4th and 5th grade students an understanding of the rich, diverse history of the North Carolina mountains and the people who have called these mountains home. Students will gain an appreciation for the mountain ecosystem, the Cherokee culture, and the impact of the European settlers. -
Trees Commonly Found in Western North Carolina
Posted on June 28, 2011 | No CommentsIn today's world of television and video games, this site is an attempt at instilling in our students an awareness of the enjoyment which can be found among our abundance of beautiful , diverse trees here in the mountains. At the same time, they will be realizing the importance of trees to our existence,as well as the importance of our responsibility in seeing that trees continue to exist. Tree recognition also plays a part in this plan. -
Macon County Cherokee Heritage
Posted on June 28, 2011 | No CommentsThis unit focuses on the presence of a large ancient Cherokee Indian village which was located in Cowee Valley, a community in Franklin, North Carolina. The lesson is integrated into Language Arts, Social Studies, Physical Education and Art. Narrative writing is also part of the plan as an important focus in Fourth Grade. -
History of Hiwassee Dam Union School
Posted on June 28, 2011 | No CommentsThis unit plan introduces the 4th grade students to the history of Hiwassee Dam School. The school was originally started for the children of the workers who came to the area to build the TVA Dam. The students will interview community members who attended the original school, collect pictures of the old school, new school and students of each school. -
Nature in Macon County
Posted on June 27, 2011 | No CommentsThis unit will expose the aggressive invasion of exotic plants into the mountains of Western North Carolina. We will discover why some of the plants were brought here and how they became invasive. Can we regain control? What can you do to help? Targeting grades 3-6. May be easily adapted to other levels. -
Cherokees in Macon County History and Folklore
Posted on June 27, 2011 | No CommentsIn the beautiful mountains and valleys of southwestern North Carolina, Macon County was once the center of the Cherokee Nation. The area was rich in scenery, wildlife, gems and minerals, and all the resources of the Little Tennessee River. Once the Cherokee Nation flourished in Macon County, and now we are left with its legacy. On this website, intermediate level elementary students will explore the history and folklore of the Cherokees in Macon County, North Carolina. -
Cross-Curriculum Scrapbook
Posted on June 10, 2011 | No CommentsDuring this project, each fourth-grade student creates a scrapbook based on historic figures, places, and events in the history of Western North Carolina. This collaborative project involves the fourth grade and visual arts teachers, the media coordinator, and computer lab assistant. This project will focus on five areas: traditional mountain music and dance, the Cataloochee Valley, the Civil War in Western North Carolina, the Cherokee, and the Zebulon Vance Birthplace. -
Arbor Day
Posted on June 10, 2011 | No CommentsStudents will use materials to learn about Arbor Day. They will learn the history of how it began and where it is celebrated today. They will use the materials to make comparisons on Arbor Day traditions and celebrations. -
Rocks and Mineral in Franklin, NC
Posted on June 7, 2011 | No CommentsAdventures of the American Mind- Western Carolina University project will consist of the learner building an understanding of the composition and uses of rocks and minerals. The thematic unit will entail conducting interviews, inviting guest speakers, visiting field trip locations, utilizing technology, analyzing and classifying specimens, participating in presentations, and field studies. -
Traditional Dance of Western North Carolina
Posted on June 7, 2011 | No CommentsTraditional dance forms are a direct reflection of the rich cultural heritage of the mountain region of North Carolina. From early settlements through today, a mixture of dance styles from Native American, English, Scottish, and Irish influences have shaped the unique styles of dance that have been passed down through generations. The major forms present today are Clogging and Square Dancing. Fourth graders will learn the influence of traditional dance of Western North Carolina through literature, discussion, writing, math, computer/technology skills, and instruction in the basic styles of these dances. -
Quilting in the Peachtree Community
Posted on June 7, 2011 | No CommentsThis is a fourth grade unit plan using the tradition of quilting to teach NC Standard Course of Study in Math, Reading, Writing, Social Studies, and Art. -
Storytelling in the Southern Appalachians
Posted on June 7, 2011 | No CommentsThis project will expose children to the art of storytelling with Southern Appalachian folklore. Students will create a handbook which depicts the changes in the western North Carolina region while preserving the past through storytelling. Students will enjoy hearing stories read from the books, The Jack Tales, and Grandfather Tales as retold by Richard Chase. The unit will coincide with the study of the mountain region of North Carolina, the writing of personal narratives, and the exposure to the genres of folktales and drama. -
North Carolina Adventure
Posted on June 7, 2011 | No CommentsIn this project, fourth graders will learn about their home state in history using My State Notebook, published by A. Beka Books.They will be learning and gathering information on North Carolina's symbols, history, climate, industry, agriculture, wildlife. They will make their own scrapbooks with pictures and information they have learned about. -
Reflections of American Poets
Posted on June 6, 2011 | No CommentsStudents begin to appreciate poetry through a hands-on activity designed to personalize some famous American poets of the past. Students will first look at visual images of several famous American poets portraits at various periods of their life on display. They will also look at images of some of their poetic works and images of poems homes also on the display. Finally each student will be given a portrait/photo/sculpture of a poet (for example: male, female, baby; adolescent; older adult) to play a matching game and guess which poet is which.