Published: May 12, 2008 04:45 pm            

Avon students step back into Pioneer Days

By Amanda Roach



AVON — Elementary students here took a hands on approach to learning about Indiana history during a Pioneer Day activity.

Sarah Thomas, a fourth-grade teacher at Cedar Elementary School, said fourth-graders study of Indiana history throughout the school year and the event gives them an opportunity to really see how pioneers lived.

“They get to travel back in time and learn about what the pioneers did,” she said.

The students went to a log cabin and wooded area at the Outdoor Learning Center behind Maple Elementary School. Once there, they were taken through several pioneer activities by Jennifer Davies, instructor for the Outdoor Learning Center, and a host of volunteers.

Thomas said this is the first time Cedar Elementary students have participated in the program, but several of the other schools in the Avon Community School Corporation have participated in it.

Thomas said the students learned that boys and girls from the pioneer days did not do the same activities. The boys focused on woodworking and fishing, while the girls focused on sewing and candle making.

Other activities included making butter and ice cream, learning etiquette and manners, and making tree cookies as Mother’s Day presents.

Thomas said the boys made some cornhole boards, while the girls sewed the bean bags for the game. She added that these boards will be used by other Cedar students.

Thomas said the reaction she received from the students was positive all around. She said a lot of them just had fun being outdoors.

“Some said it was the best field trip ever,” she said. “And the learning center is part of the school district so it’s nothing for us to go over there.”



amanda.roach@flyergroup.com

        

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