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The FUNd Stuff at PNA!
- Vol 7, Issue 4: Everyday Stories from PNA
- Nov 25, 2019
- 3 min read
Inquiring Minds Want to Know
by Martina Henke | PNA 5th Grade Teacher
Our social studies standards are ambitious; built around the National Council for the Social Studies C3 Frameworks, they include standards for content and skills, but also standards for developing questions, planning inquiry, evaluating sources, using evidence, communicating conclusions, and taking informed action. The C3 framework states that there are four major disciplines in social studies—civics, economics, geography, and history—and that links to all four disciplines should be found in all social studies courses. There are six guiding principles of the C3 framework:
Social studies prepares young people for success in college and career, as well as informed, engaged participation in civic life.
Inquiry is at the heart of social studies instruction.
Social studies involves interdisciplinary instruction and benefits from interaction with and integration of the arts and humanities.
Social studies is composed of deep and enduring understandings, concepts, and skills from the disciplines.
Inquiry is indeed at the heart of social studies instruction - of all instruction. When the goal is to develop students who are independent thinkers and exceptional learners, the best place to begin is with their natural curiosity and sense of wonder. When inquiry is at the heart of instruction, we support students in: -living a life full of curiosity -exploring ideas and issues that connect with the own interests and the wider world -tackling big ideas, essential questions, and deep understandings as they read, write, and research -reading and responding flexibly and with a critical stance -thinking creatively and sharing new learning in creative ways -engaging in collaborative learning and action. Our class is knee deep in our American Revolution inquiry this month. Students are challenged to become experts on this topic in reading workshop, so they can share their knowledge with others during writing workshop. Students are developing questions, reading fiction and non-fiction texts of all kinds, and discussing their reading understanding and connections to events and ideas that formed the core of our nation’s beginning. They are connecting their growing knowledge of US geography with the historical events of this exciting time in US history. Atlases, videos, primary sources, historical novels - all these are rich content pushing the inquiry forward. Students are asking important questions and viewing the events from multiple perspectives. History, geography, economics, and civics all take center stage as students learn about boycotts, legislative bodies, taxes, and key historical events. Each question leads to another as they wrestle with the thorny, multi-faceted, messy realities of history. Why was it called the “Boston Massacre?” Was it a massacre? Why did Parliament impose the Intolerable Acts? In 1776, what was it like to be a Loyalist? A Patriot? A slave? A woman? A Native American? A merchant? A soldier? How did thirteen very different and independent colonies come together as one united entity? How does one define “liberty,” and for whom?" Inquiring minds want to know. Resources:
View our 5th grade social studies standards HERE.
Postcards from the Classroom
Take a look at the exciting activities students were involved in last week!
Click any picture to jump into the slideshow.
A Message from Student Council about #GivingTuesday - December 3, 2019
Celebrated on the Tuesday following U.S. Thanksgiving, and fueled by the power of social media and collaboration, #GivingTuesday harnesses the generosity of millions of people around the world to support the causes they believe in and the communities in which they live.
If you believe in independent education, please consider supporting PNA on #GivingTuesday this year. Small gifts have a big impact. Your support helps our students reach their goals.
You can give online at -
or by visiting our Facebook page at
www.facebook.com/PacificNorthernAcademy/ and clicking the donate button.
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To make a donation or refer a family to PNA, Call (907) 333-1080 or click here to visit the giving page on our website.
Other Ways to Support PNA
Link your Fred Meyer rewards card:
Link your Rewards Card to Pacific Northern Academy by visiting
Whenever you use your Rewards card when shopping at Fred Meyer, you’ll be helping PNA earn a donation from Fred Meyer.
Rewards Customers still get the Rewards Points, Fuel Points and Rebates
Coming Right Up...
December 3rd - #GivingTuesday
December 5th - Winter Concert
You can also check out all of the upcoming events on our website by clicking calendar under our about PNA tab.
Just One More...
Many Thanks To
John Hardwick and Ral West
As always, our continued success is shared with the people and companies that support us.
Skiva Investments LLC
The FUNd Stuff is a bi-monthly (or so) publication from the staff, students, parents, and teachers of PNA. Want to know more about anything we've highlighted here? Get in touch! (907) 333-1080 or jaho@pacificnorthern.org
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