FIELD TRIP PROGRAMS AND SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIALS

THIRD THROUGH FIFTH GRADE PROGRAMS

Encounter on the Prairie
Students will study the five culture groups who settled here and how they united through conflict and compromise.  Students will assume the persona of a settler and write a letter to the family in the old country, telling of their new experiences.  The visit includes our People Gallery, a hands-on activity with immigrant trunks, a craft and  visit to our Pioneer Discovery room.

Standing on the Corner
A walking tour of downtown Bloomington teaches students the significance of architecture in their community and Bloomington’s early history.  For inclement weather, the walking tour is substituted with a scavenger hunt for architectural elements inside the courthouse and a mosaic craft.  This program can be used for older age groups as well.

"Digging” into History
Get a firsthand look at the way archaeologists peel back layers of time.  Students will try their hands at uncovering artifacts and figuring out the people who used them.  We will also discuss some of the problems that archaeologists face and the visit will end with students piecing together a puzzle of broken artifacts.

Discovering Quilts*- Quilts are one of the most recognizable objects from the pioneer era.  This program illustrates to students why people made quilts, what skills are needed, and how math played a part in quilt construction.  We will see quilts in the People and Farming galleries and discuss the names women gave their quilt patterns.  Then, we will make our own quilt block using wallpaper scraps in the classroom.

Genealogy for Kids*- Students learn the value and use of primary resources, such as census records, vital statistics, birth and death certificates and a host of other materials.  This workshop includes a short PowerPoint presentation that explains what exactly genealogy is, where to start looking for information, what types of information they can find, and where they can find it.  In addition, students are led in a discussion of researching blended families and non-relatives and the uses of genealogy in studying history.

 
Reading History Through Objects*- studying material cultures is important to the study of history as is any document.  In one activity, students learn how decipher the clues provided by objects to determine technology, beliefs, social attitudes, and typical life of the past.  Great for ESL students, the second activity challenges their English reading skills with an object scavenger hunt in the galleries.

 
*program can be used for older age groups too