Linking PA Academic Standards

Standards

All tours and accompanying pre-visit materials meet state learning standards. While each tour package is different, classes using the pre- visit and post-visit materials in conjunction with touring a site will engage in activities meeting the following standards:* Reading, Writing, Speaking, and Listening
1.1.3.G Demonstrate after reading understanding and interpretation of nonfiction text.
1.2.3.A Read & understand essential content of informational texts and documents in all academic areas.
1.4.3.B Write informational pieces using illustrations when relevant.
1.5.3.B Write using well-developed content appropriate for the topic.
1.6.3.A Listen to others.
1.6.3.D Contribute to discussions.

Math
2.2.3.A Apply addition & subtraction to everyday situations.
2.2.3.C Demonstrate the concept of multiplication as repeated addition.
2.5.3.A Use appropriate problem-solving strategies.
2.9.3.D Find & describe geometric figures in real life.
2.9.3.E Identify symmetry.

Science & Technology
3.4.4.B Know basic energy types, sources and conversions.
3.6.4.C Know physical technologies of structural design, analysis and engineering, finance, production, marketing, research and design.
3.8.4.A Know that people select, create and use science and technology and that they are limited by social and physical restraints.
3.8.4.B Know how human ingenuity and technological resources satisfy specific human needs and improve the quality of life.

Social Studies
6.1.3.C Identify local economic activities.
6.2.3.A Define and identify goods, services, consumers and producers.
6.2.3.E Identify who supplies a produce and who demands a product.
6.3.3.C Identify and define natural, human and capital resources.
6.4.3.D Identify local resources.
6.4.3.E Define specialization & identify examples of interdependence.
6.4.3 G Identify local geographic patterns of economic activities.
6.5.3.A Explain why people work to get goods & services.
7.3.3.B Identify the human characteristics of places and regions by their cultural characteristics.
7.3.3.C Identify the human characteristics of places & regions by their settlement characteristics.
7.3.3.D Identify the human characteristics of places & regions by their economic activities.
8.1.3.A Understand chronological thinking.
8.1.3.B Develop an understanding of historical sources.
8.1.3.C Understand fundamentals of historical interpretation.
8.1.3.D Understand historical research.
8.2.3.A Understand the political and cultural contributions of individuals and groups to PA history.
8.2.3.B Identify and describe primary documents, material artifacts and historic sites important in PA history.
8.2.3.C Identify and describe how continuity and change have influenced PA history.
8.2.3.D Identify and describe conflict and cooperation among social groups and organizations in PA history.

*While the standards listed are at the mid-elementary levels, tours for older or younger students address the same concepts at the appropriate levels.

Sample Curriculum Activities Pre-visit
Pre-visit activities introduce students to the sites and tour concepts. Most involve students in interpreting a primary source reading selection and completing math problems related to the site. For example, in completing previsit materials for the Troxell-Steckel House, students will learn about family roles, farm tasks, and economic interdependence as they: Read period sources and answer questions about them. (8.1.3.A-D)

Complete math problems based on the family's economic activities. (2.2.3.A & C, 2.5.3.A, 6.1.3.C, 6.2.3.A, 6.2.3.E ). Examples: Farm women had primary responsibility for dairy operations. Men and older boys fed the cattle, but on Pennsylvania-German farms, it was the wife who took care of them from that point onward. One cow could produce enough milk to make about 100 pounds of butter each year. If each of the 6 of the Steckel's cows produced enough milk to make 100 pounds of butter a year, how much total butter could be made on the Steckel farm in a year? A. 100 pounds
B. 600 pounds
C. 1,000 pounds
D. 1,200 pounds

The storekeeper's ledger shows that Mr. Steckel owes $4 for supplies he has purchased at the store. One week, Mr. Steckel takes 5 pounds of butter to market. He receives 20 cents per pound, earning a total of $1 in credit. After the storekeeper has updated his ledger to reflect the amount of credit for the sale, how much does money does Mr. Steckel still owe? A. $5
B. $4
C. $3
D. $20

Tour/On-Site
Each tour involves a variety of hands-on and other interactive activities related to state standards. For example, at Troxell-Steckel, students will:
-Learn about aspects of Pennsylvania German culture as they look at samples of Pennsylvania German folk art, learn some dialect words, and handle German-language school books. (8.3.3.A-D & 7.3.3.C)

-Learn about farm family roles and the interdependence of farm families with others in their communities and with the wider world. (6.1.3.C; 6.2.3.A, E; 6.3.3.C; 6.4.3.D, E, G; 6.5.3.A; 3.5.3.A, B; 2.2.3.A, C)

Identify economic activities in which the Steckel family took part. Examine objects purchased by the family and take part in activities involved in preparing farm products such as butter and wheat for sale at market. Use math skills to calculate sales of farm products.

Examine new technologies of the era that affected farming and home life. Use math skills to calculate economic advantages of new technologies.

Tours guides include many questions in their presentations, so all tours also involve the speaking and listening skills, such as 1.6.3.A & D. Post-visit Post-visit activities involve students in summarizing their experiences by creating a written response to their trip. These activities are designed to resemble PSSA test questions. The writing prompt for the Troxell-Steckel House, which meets several standards (1.5.3.A & B, is:

Prompt:
Food and clothing are two examples of basic things people need to live. Think about how your family gets food and clothing today. Then, think about how Pennsylvania-German farm families like the Steckels got food and clothing in the 1840's. Write an essay about some ways your family today meets its needs for food and clothing differently than the Steckel family did.

As you write your paper, remember to:
-Present your ideas in a clear and logical order, including an introduction, body, and conclusion.
-Use a variety of words and well-constructed sentences.
-Correct any errors in grammar, mechanics, and spelling.

Standards

*While the standards listed are at the mid-elementary levels, tours for older or younger students address the same concepts at the appropriate levels.

Examine new technologies of the era that affected farming and home life. Use math skills to calculate economic advantages of new technologies.