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About Us
The Digital Heritage Project is a part of The Mountain Heritage Center at Western Carolina University
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Recent Posts
- Mary Ulmer Chiltosky, 1986
- Stecoah Valley Center, 2011
- Gar Mosteller and Doyle Barker, 2008
- Cradle of Forestry in America, 1997
- Jackson County Genealogical Society, 2012
- Rob Tiger, 2012
- Young Adult Choir, Tried Stone Missionary Baptist Church, 2001
- Bea Hensley, 1995
- Penland School of Crafts, 1985
- John B. Battle, 1983
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Tag Cloud
Asheville Biltmore House Blacksmithing Buncombe County Business Cherokee Community Cottage Industries Craft Revival Crafts Cultural Institutions Cultural Traditions Ecology Education Environment Fauna Flora Folk Life Folklore Forestry Genealogy Geology Government Granny Midwives Health Icons Identity Industry Jackson County Language Literature Medicinal and Health Terminology Medicinal Plant Use Mountain Heritage Award Music Parks Performing Arts Places Race and Ethnicity Religion Swain County Tourism Transportation Visual Arts War on Poverty
Social Studies 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. -
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. -
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. -
Native American Leaders
Posted on April 7, 2011 | No CommentsThis two week third grade integrated unit will emphasize important Native American leaders past and present with in emphasis on Cherokee leaders. The unit includes literature about famous Native Americans. Students will develop an understand of how these people's lives have an impact on the current roles of Native Americans today. -
Logging Communities of Swain County
Posted on April 7, 2011 | No CommentsThe project covers three main themes: a) logging communities b) resources of the region and c) environmental impacts of logging on the region. -
Life in Swain County at Proctor and Hazel Creek
Posted on April 7, 2011 | No CommentsThe content area of study will encompass the disciplines of social studies, reading, math, and computer technology. The scope of the unit is to acquaint the students with their cultural heritage by comparing and contrasting pioneer life in Swain County to the changes that have occurred over a period of time. The concepts will be taught in the third grade from the N.C. Standard Course of Study. -
Gem Mining
Posted on April 7, 2011 | No CommentsCowee Valley, located in Northern Macon County, in Franklin, North Carolina is an area rich with gem mines. Gem mining is a hobby and tourist attraction. Students will learn about the history of gem mining in Cowee Valley. Students will explore types of soil, rocks, map skills, cultural traditions, community interaction, and economic resources of this community in relationship to gem mining in our area.