Introduction to the Grand Ditch Pathfinder and Grand Ditch Research
In lab if possible

Teacher provides an introduction to the Grand Ditch project. The pathfinder, or research aid, will assist students in locating resources about the project in an efficient manner. Access to the links will assist students in finding many of the facts, impressions, and myths about the Grand Ditch, and in completing the worksheet.

Preparing to use primary source texts, in classroom and lab

Exploring Primary Texts (Group Activity)

Find online, or distribute hard copies of, a primary source text document (or excerpt) related to Grand county or Larimer County. May can be found on the Pathfinder/Research Aid. Introduce the Primary Source Analysis Guide, as adapted from the Material Culture Analysis Guide by Gretchen Sullivan Sorin, State Univ. of NY at Oneonta, at the American Memory Educators' Institute, Washington, D.C., July 20, 1999. Demonstrate use of the guide in analyzing primary source documents.

Using primary source texts session 2, in lab or classroom

Word Splash (Small group activity)--Using the Word Splash, and its instruction sheet, have the students write a narrative or series of journal entries.

Reading Primary Texts (Small Groups or Individual Activity)--Find online, or distribute hard copies of, a primary source text document related to the Grand Ditch or Grand or Larimer County.

HABS/HAER (Historic American Building Survey/Historic American Engineering Record--Search for "Grand Ditch."The HABS/HAER photos are not yet digitized, but the historic text is available online. It should be printed and copied for individuals or small groups to begin the discussion of the history of the Ditch.

Students will continue to use the Primary Source Analysis Guide and the Grand Ditch Worksheet. They will need to follow up with book sources and secondary sources to complete their research.

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Kathy Ziegler, East Grand School District