A case study developing and demonstrating the introduction of heritage education information in a fourth grade classroom

Abstract

This project involves two major components: research on the importance of heritage education and a five-lesson unit prepared to introduce fourth-grade students in Muncie to the history and architectural heritage of the area. The research revealed the fact that there are many concepts of heritage education ranging from ideas that involve only architecture to schemes that involve all aspects of culture. This thesis argues that the built environment, along with its cultural history, needs to be taught in the schools so that children at an early age may learn to appreciate their historic legacy. The unit of five lessons on heritage education was presented to two Muncie fourth-grade classes. The unit provided a guide for the students to examine the history and architecture of Muncie, Indiana. At the end of the unit, the students were tested to see what they had retained.