Bryant Ranch Fourth Graders Combine Hands-On and Academic Skills to Create California Bear Flag

The fourth-grade students at Bryant Ranch School recently created a wooden California Bear Flag, integrating hands-on skills with academic learning. As part of the TCI fourth-grade curriculum, the students studied the Bear Flag Revolt and California’s journey to becoming the 31st state in the United States. This educational unit was enriched with various interactive learning activities.

One of the highlights was a play titled “Absolutely Revolting,” which offered students an immersive experience of the events during the Bear Flag Revolt. Following this, the students undertook the project of creating their own California Bear Flag. This task involved several stages, each requiring different skills: sanding wooden blocks, painting them red and white, inscribing “California Republic” and the star, hammering nails into the shape of a bear, and completing the design with string art.

This project allowed students to apply what they learned about California’s history in a tangible way, while also developing practical skills. The students were highly engaged and enthusiastic about creating a keepsake from their fourth-grade year. The combination of academic and hands-on activities not only deepened their understanding of the subject matter but also fostered a sense of accomplishment and pride in their work. Way to go Explorers!