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Field Trips, Student Activities

Lessons Learned In West Branch

Herbert Hoover National Historic Site

Grade Level:

Upper Elementary: Third Grade through Fifth Grade

Subject:

Social Studies

State Standards:

Iowa Core (3-5): SS.3-5.BS.2, SS.3-5.E.1, SS.3-5.H.1, SS.3-5.H.4, SS.3-5.PSCL.1;
Illinois Learning Standards (3-5): State Goals 16 & 18;
National Standards for History (3-5): Topic 1 Standard 1, Topic 2 Standards 3 & 4

How did Herbert Hoover's early years in 19th century West Branch influence his character? Which character traits did he learn that made him a leader? Where do we get our own skills for success? A visit to the Birthplace Cottage, Blacksmith Shop, Schoolhouse, and Friends Meetinghouse helps answer these questions.

Pre-visit Activities

Download and print HEHO! Activity Worksheets For Educators & Students or contact us for a copy.

1. Word Jumble, Secret Sentence, & Missing Words. Introduce the vocabulary list. The list on the left has the same words, but the spelling is jumbled and the words are not in the same order. Once the words are un-jumbled, students use the coded letters to solve the Secret Sentence. Fill in the missing words from the vocabulary list in the Word Jumble.
2. Crack The Code. To crack the code, students must fill in the missing numbers after each word they have solved. Once some numbers are filled in, they will give clues to the remaining missing letters in the words. All of the vowels plus B and Y have already been filled in to help get the students started in cracking the code. This activity is two pages. If it is run back to back, students may cut the code off to look at when completing the second page. Depending on the grade level, it may be helpful if the first sentence or two are done as a class. Also, this activity would be good to use for cooperative learning and work with a partner.
3. Before & After. Directions for the students are on the activity sheet. This activity sheet also would be a good way for students to share what they have learned with their family about their field trip to Herbert Hoover National Historic Site.

Post-visit Activities

Download and print HEHO! Activity Worksheets For Educators & Students or contact us for a copy.

1. Storyteller. Directions for the students are on the activity sheet. This activity is another fun way for students to show what they learned with their families.
2. High-five. This cooperative learning game gets students to share with each other what they learned. Teachers or students can write their own facts. A few suggestions for printing the cards are:
   • Print to card stock or construction paper
   • Print on regular paper, then cut and glue on to index cards
   • Laminate the cards
   Decide which partner will go first, such as: birthday order, or alphabetical order in first or last name. After every student receives a quiz card, the class stands and puts one arm straight up. Students walk around the room and high-five the first friend they meet. The first student reads the quiz card to the partner. If the student gets it right, they high-five each other. If the student gets it wrong, give a clue or the correct answer. Then give a high-five! Now it is the other friend’s turn. Repeat. After the third high-five, always switch quiz cards and find another friend to high-five!
3. Letter To The Rangers. The rangers always appreciate and enjoy hearing from the students and teachers who visit our park. Kids can write about and draw what they learned or ask questions. Please send letters and drawings to: Herbert Hoover National Historic Site, PO Box 607, West Branch, Iowa 52358.

Materials

Pre- and post-visit activities, recommended for third through fifth grades

Download HEHO! Activity Worksheets For Educators & Students

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