On Tuesday we enjoyed a morning at DeGraaf Nature Center for our very first field trip of the school year! We visited the Homestead Holiday program at DeGraaf Nature Center where students traveled through four stations to learn more about pioneers and how the holidays were celebrated in the past.
In first grade we have been learning about the past, present, and future during our social studies time. Our trip to DeGraaf gave us an exciting opportunity to experience life in the past and learn how different life was for pioneers compared to our luxuries today!
In first grade we have been learning about the past, present, and future during our social studies time. Our trip to DeGraaf gave us an exciting opportunity to experience life in the past and learn how different life was for pioneers compared to our luxuries today!
Miss Erin led the green group in their learning on Tuesday! During this rotation, Miss Erin read a sweet story about a tree who didn't think they would ever get picked to be someone's Christmas tree. Students also learned about a variety of trees in this book.
After reading the story, students then went to the craft tables to create their own sachet filled with crushed tree pieces. The first graders learned that pioneers had to make their own things in the past. They did not have stores to buy items like we do! Instead of buying an air freshener like we would today, pioneers filled sachets with crushed tree materials and used them to keep their homes smelling fresh and clean in the past!
While the green group filled their sachets, the red group was busy making candles. They learned that in the past pioneers did not have electricity. It was very important that the pioneers had candles to keep their homes lit at night, to see when they walked outdoors, and to create heat in their cabins. Again, the pioneers did not have stores to go to, so they needed to make their own candles! On Tuesday we made candles by dipping a wick into wax and water, but in the past, they dipped rope in oil and animal fat. Yuck. :)
While friends dipped their candles, the other kids explored toys from the past. We learned that the pioneers made their own toys out of wood. The first graders explored toys such as a wooden marble roller, a Jacob's ladder, a wooden set of tic-tac-toe, and a wooden toy that is very similar to beyblade toys that we have today!
After the kids filled their sachet, we traveled to the cabin to see how the pioneers used to live. We learned that they made their homes out of wood that they cut down themselves.
Do you see the wood shed? This is where they kept all of the wood that they used to build and to heat their home. I think the pioneers would have gone through a lot of wood on a cold day like this one!
Inside of the cabin we sat down to hear a story and learn more about the pioneers and the cabins they lived in. Everything was in one room in the cabin; their kitchen, living room, and bedroom. It is hard to imagine a home with only one large room! This particular cabin had a loft to sleep in, which was very rare for pioneers to have.
Miss Erin did a wonderful job telling stories about life as a pioneer.
We even learned about outhouses! The first graders could not believe people had to bundle up and walk outside to the outhouse every time they needed to use the bathroom. We learned that pioneers who were lucky would have rocking chairs (like the one to the right), with a hole and bucket in them, to use the bathroom. Whew- we sure are glad we have bathrooms today!
We learned about how pioneers celebrated Christmas. Miss Erin showed us a stocking and several items that might be found in a pioneer's stocking. First, an orange! Oranges do not grow in Michigan, so pioneers would rarely have oranges to eat. This was a special treat for pioneer children and this orange may have been the only orange they would get all year!
Next, a tin cup! Pioneer children often had to share one cup with their entire family. It was a special gift to get your own tin cup in your stocking.
Miss Erin continued to talk about gifts on Christmas. Pioneer children would often have a stocking and then one gift to open under the tree. Typically the gifts were tools, guns, or scarves that they needed to help survive. Only very young children received toys or dolls. This lucky kiddo received a pot that his family would use to go to the bathroom at night. Now it was his job to empty it everyday. He sure was lucky, wasn't he? ;)
Since we were split into two groups, I was only able to join one group. Yet I was able to sneak into the other group occasionally. :) Here is the red group in the cabin, ready to learn about pioneer life!
After we heard the stories about pioneers in the cabin, we took a walk and learned about a variety of evergreen trees. It was a cold and blustery day, but it didn't stop us from learning!
We learned about needles and how some trees have needles that come in bundles. This particular tree had a bundle of two!
This was a white pine- our state's tree! A white pine has a bundle of 5 very soft needles. Miss Erin liked calling this the tickle tree, since its soft needles can be used to tickle friends. :)
After a chilly walk (thank you for packing warm clothing for your child!), the green group took their turn dipping candles and playing with the wooden pioneer toys.
We had so much fun at DeGraaf Nature Center! The first graders loved learning about the past and how the pioneers used to celebrate the holidays. It was also a wonderful reminder of how lucky we are today and that we should be thankful for all of the things we have.
Thank you so much to the parents who were able to volunteer their time and join us on our special day. We loved having you there to learn with us!
Thank you so much to the parents who were able to volunteer their time and join us on our special day. We loved having you there to learn with us!