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Nov. 16,
2009—In just one day, the entire fourth-grade with help from
parent volunteers, faculty members and staff constructed a
Native American village on school grounds—bringing history
alive for visitors and other students at Duanesburg
Elementary School.
The village, complete with a 20-foot longhouse, fire pit,
drying rack, stockade fence, corn garden and tree of peace,
was built using materials generously donated by parents and
staff.
“This was such a wonderful way to engage children in
learning about Native Americans,” said Stacia Cassale, a
parent who helped construct the village. “It was such a
rewarding experience that they’ll remember forever.”
For two weeks prior to construction, students researched the
life, culture and history of the Iroquois and Algonquin
people—as part of the state’s fourth grade social studies
curriculum.
“I wanted students to gain hands-on experience with a
simple, more peaceful time as well as learn how it would be
to build without the modern tools we have today,” said
fourth-grade teacher Melissa Durrant, who facilitated the
project after hearing about a similar one in a neighboring
school district.
Students were assigned to one of eight clans where they used
their collective knowledge to develop a presentation on a
specific area of the village. They also made and wore
necklaces that signified their designated clan.
As elementary school students and other visitors toured the
village during the week, fourth-graders served as guides
using their presentations to explain the significance of
their respective areas and answer questions.
“The pride in their voices and expression on their faces as
they explained and demonstrated each part of the village to
their peers is something I will never forget,” said PTSO
President Tina Gamache. “The teamwork they displayed and the
hands-on experience they gained is something that could not
be matched inside a classroom.”
Durrant said students were completely immersed in the
learning experience. “Even students in other grade levels
are still talking about the village,” she said.
In addition to gaining hands-on experience with history,
students gained confidence speaking publicly, listening,
writing and team-building.
Many students, like Alex Onorati, indicated that learning
the traditional skill of lashing was their favorite part of
the project. Similar to tying a knot, lashing was used by
Native Americans to prevent the longhouse from falling
apart.
To culminate their experience, fourth-graders and their
parents were invited to a closing ceremony during which they
celebrating their accomplishments and enjoyed refreshments.
“In addition to being a great opportunity for parents and
students to work together, we simply could not have done
this without the dedicated support of so many volunteers,”
said Durrant. |
