Integrated Learning: Mississipian Culture

The second graders recently completed their integrated learning unit about the Mississippian Culture. In addition to learning about the history of this amazing civilization during social studies, a highlight for students was discovering the ancient game, Chunkey. In art, second graders explored Native American pottery, designs, and symbols. Inspired by what they had learned, students created their own Chunkey poles with duct tape, permanent markers, and Mississippian symbols. In P.E. class, students practiced the skills of Chunkey by throwing pool noodles at a stationary target. This new learning culminated in a field trip to the Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site, where students, parents, and teachers climbed all 154 steps to the top of Monks Mound! Additionally, the game of Chunkey came alive as students rolled discs and threw their homemade Chunkey poles, with the goal of being the closest stick to the disc. The day concluded with students writing about their experience in their journal.

Excited by what they had seen during their time at the museum, students sculpted pinch pots, tablets, Chunkey disks, and arrowheads after the field trip. Second graders were extremely excited and enthusiastic about this integrated unit. In addition to classroom learning, working with Ms. Signor in art class and Ms. Simpson in PE class, resulted in students coming away with a deeper understanding of the Mississippian Culture.