Unexpected Surprises…An Illinois/Wisconsin Tale in 10 Days Thursday, Jun 18 2009

Wow, where to begin…     

I am going to start on how travelling to Illinois and Wisconsin will make me a better teacher of history to my first grade students.  In the 10 days, I feel as though, I was exposed to so many great experiences, as well as resources that I can bring Chicago, Springfield and Madison to them thanks to the Internet.  I also purchased several books that will serve as resources, in addition to the 1000 plus pictures I snapped of various sites to show them.  My students are so impressionable and thrive on hearing true stories.  This year, I will be able to give them real-life stories and back it up with documentation.  I am so excited to get back into my classroom and revamp my social studies curriculum to include several aspects of our trip.  I can hardly wait to really introduce my students to Abraham Lincoln and the man that he was.  I also want them to realize that his potential for being a better man was never reached, just think of the possibilities.  I bought so many books about Abraham Lincoln as a boy as well as a man.  I even got a book that told about his coming home after his death, although, I will have to edit it…I can’t wait to share it!  My other area I want to incorporate is the World Fair and the technological advances that were introduced way back then.   I want my students to remember it when they get older and only get a sentence or paragraph about its impact.  As for the issues that we read about (Haymarket and the Jungle) or learned about that were over their head (Jane Addams Hull and her alleged sexuality), it gave me a wealth of knowledge that I wouldn’t have had otherwise.  Thank you Matt, Jonathan, and Scott!

Young Abe…

World Fair

Ferris Wheel at Navy Pier

Close Up time on the Ferris Wheel…

7th Inning Stretch

Holy Cow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Although, this trip’s main focus was on learning, I did get to experience fun and see the sites of Chicago.  I got to see the biggest Catholic Cathedral I have ever seen in my whole life, as well as the oldest Catholic Church in Chicago (Old St. Pat’s, which has a connection to my childhood).  I rode a subway that went from underground to being elevated.  Spending time, hanging out on Navy Pier had to be a highlight, it was so great to be on a lake that reminded me of California and the ocean.  I satisfied my love for sports by watching a White Sox/Detroit Tigers game, which ended up being a pitcher’s dual.  I saw Thome hit his 552nd homerun, which I am sure will be a historic moment one of these days!  Lastly, I was finally able to physically stand in front of my idea of the best baseball field in the entire world that houses my favorite team since I was 5, the Chicago Cubs’ Wrigley Field.  I took a picture next to Harry Carey…Holy Cow!  Could it get any better than this?

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All Aboard the Labor Train…on a Pullman Car… Sunday, Jun 14 2009

Haymarket...

A message on the Haymarket Martyr's Memorial

Wow…Bill Adelman was very knowledgeable about Chicago history!  Saturday morning was spent exploring sites that were connected to the May 4, 1886 Haymarket Affair Bombing.  Adelman told us stories and showed pictures of key players, places and drawings; some stories I knew, others I didn’t.  The most surreal experience for me was seeing the Haymarket Martyr’s Monument in the Forest Park cemetery with newly added comments in marker.  I was in disbelief that someone would deface public property for the use of making a statement.  With the help of the book, Death in the Haymarket and Bill Adelman I came to understand why the world of anarchy was so enticing to the newly-immigrated person looking for the American Dream.  Personally, I realize that this riot affected and continues to affect a multitude of people with very diverse backgrounds, but as a first grade teacher, I will not approach this subject.

 

Koldunai, Kugelis, Cabbage Rolls

Lunch was at Healthy Food Restaurant which is authentic Lithuanian food.  When we walked in, our table had baskets of bread, containing Lithuanian Rye and Pumpernickel.  The first course was a choice between Sauerkraut or ChickenNoodle Soup; I opted for familiarity!  Koldunai (Boiled Meat Dumplings), Kugelis (Lithuanian Potato “Pudding”) and stuffed cabbage rounded out the main dish.  Finally, a Strawberry Shortcake dessert rounded out our well-balanced, healthy Lithuanian lunch.  I think having students share and make food from various cultures would be very beneficial.  I think if I wanted to do something like this, it would almost have to be a school-wide event.  Also, parents are crucial in making this “Food Experience” a reality.  It definitely gives me something to think about and try to brainstorm different ideas and dates.  I don’t foresee it being up and running this year, though.

Stock Yard Gate

We got to see the Stock Yard Gate that marked where the start of the stockyards were, before heading to our final stop for Saturday, the Historic Pullman Town.  I loved the railroad items in the Historic Pullman Visitor Center.  I thought that incorporating a field trip to either the Amtrak or BSNF in La Junta would be a great way to talk about the Pullman cars, as well as others in a transportation unit.  The architecture and urban planning in the Pullman Town would be a way to have students become more familiar with Swink.  My thinking is that if they are able to study the maps of the Pullman town and then study a map of Swink, they can find both similarities and differences within the towns.

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Great Dane…Wisconsin… Friday, Jun 12 2009

Today we spent the day in Madison, Wisconsin.  It was a very early start to an incredibly, wonderful experience.  I had never been to Wisconsin, so that added to my enthusiasm.  Our first stop, after the group picture on the steps of the State Capitol was the Wisconsin Historical Museum.  I was so impressed about how involved so many of the local Madison teachers are committed to making education in Wisconsin memorable for their students and inexpensive cost to school districts.  Our guide was Tim, who was a high school science teacher; therefore, he told us how he would introduce the concepts to our students if they were visiting the museum.  As I walked around at the different areas and snapped pictures, many ideas emerged about how to incorporate the photographs.  First, the agricultural fair display would be a great way to compare and contrast the local fair, Arkansas Valley and the State Fair.  Also, I would have students do a web quest of the Colorado State Fair and the Wisconsin State Fair.  After they find all of their information we would complete a Venn diagram with sticky notes on the board.  I would like to incorporate the Midway, by showing and discussing the various trends in toys, games and rides over the various years of a fair.  Since Swink is primarily a farming community, all of the farming apparatuses displayed at the Museum would be a great preface to the Pumpkin Patch visit.  I liked the activity about archaeology and trash, I took a picture of the items they had, but I really think I can find a magazine article with several items of “old trash” and have my students answer the different questions about the pictures uses and ages.  I took pictures so students can compare then and now with toys, electronic devices, clothes and shoes.  As I looked at all of the different artifacts in the Native Americans display, I realized that I could have students look at pictures from the Wisconsin museum and have a field trip scavenger hunt of items that are alike at the Koshare’s Museum in La Junta.  Also, we build Wigwams and make papooses during the Thanksgiving unit; I know have photographs of examples provided by the museum.

 

The Blue dot…I added it…La Junta Baby!

Me in a tractor

Archaeology

Outside the Cafe Rainforest from last night…

The afternoon started off with us eating at the Great Dane, very tasty!  We then headed to the Wisconsin Historical Museum on the University of Wisconsin campus.  We listened to Jonathan Pollack talk about immigration, by studying the naturalization petitions.  I really enjoyed that because it was actually getting to look at copies of primary sources of real people.  It also made me curious to look into finding out if my great grandparents have naturalization petitions in Colorado.  As far as my students are concerned, I wouldn’t use these in my classroom.  We do talk about cultures, but not specific to their personal lives.  Harry Miller was our next speaker, he showed us the Research Portal on Wisconsin’s Historical Society to access manuscripts and photographs.  It was our turn to explore and research, I snapped pictures of photographs that focused on child labor laws, but I only took the shots that showed kids doing activities; therefore, they could say what they were doing and answer questions.   I also read some of the materials concerning Ludlow and Albert R. Parsons.  It was very informative, but nothing else that I could incorporate.  Last we listened to Stan Schultz talk about the Progressive Era, he was very entertaining and animated.  Although, the hot button issues are things I don’t address in my classroom I gained a plethora of knowledge about the Progressive Era.  Before riding the bus back, we got to hang out on the Terrace for a while.  I tried Babcock Ice Cream and walked out on the pier of the lake.  I also got to people watch.  My adventurous side kicked in too late, so I didn’t get to see the football field for the beloved Badgers of Wisconsin.

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Hull about Chicago’s Urban Farm Thursday, Jun 11 2009

 

Cubbies used by school-aged children at Hull House

The morning was all about Jane Addams and the Hull House. It was very informative, since I knew very little about either.  I didn’t realize that Addams was considered a “Dangerous Woman by the FBI.” I thought I would introduce my students to Jane Addams and the importance of the Hull House by using the Hull House History on Call. Obviously, I wouldn’t be able to use all of the topics covered but I could utilize the simpler ones!

Urban Farm

 

The Hull House Urban Farm was very insightful, as to how the Hull-House organization is trying to give back to the city of Chicago by emphasizing the importance of community and sustainability. It sounds as though Chicago is encouraging the use of empty lots to be changed into co-op farms which seem to be on the rise. The make shift greenhouse made me think that all schools could potential start a garden. As I made notes about the farm, I thought of two entities within the Arkansas Valley that I could utilize to introduce my first graders to an heirloom organic garden (seeds bred and maintained for 50 years, no pesticides). One resource is the Community Garden club in Swink.  The other is the CSU Agricultural Extension office in Rocky Ford.  The extension office is a greenhouse that experiments with seeds, as well as making hybrids.

 

Making the building look taller

 

Our afternoon was spent on a boat ride in the rain checking out the architecture.  It was very wet but thought-provoking.  One idea I had was to compare and contrast the various builiding styles in the town or city.  However, I realized that Swink and La Junta, as well as the Arkansas Valley has only a handful of builidings that have these features.  Nonetheless, if I lived in a bigger city, I would get my students thinking about different styles and features by having them do a scavenger hunt.

Personal note:  To my family home, you will be so proud of me…I tried everything at lunch.  I loved the salad and mushroom soup…but I didn’t really care for the pickled radishes or the beets but I tasted them with no preconceived notions.  I am making progress….  Dad, two ideas:  1)they had a spicy lettuce, we need to grow it.  2)I found a way to make the peppers grow, during both the winter and summer…I took pictures!  Love you all!  Melissa Kay

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Getting it Wright at the Museum of Science and Industry… Wednesday, Jun 10 2009

Frank Lloyd Wright's House

Our morning started off with a jaunt to Oak Park, where we were given a chance to see the exterior and interior of Frank Lloyd Wright’s House and Studio.  I have always known that Wright’s ideas were advanced but today after listening to the tour guide, Monte, it was confirmed.  Monte told us that Wright had designed 1200 structures, 460 of which were built (30 homes or remodels in Oak Park).  76 structures had been destroyed after being built.  Wright personally was a horrible man, but he was such a talented man…Monte, said that he would design formal dresses that complimented his structure for the lady of the house to wear while entertaining guests.  As I thought how to tie this into my classroom, I focused on all of the geometric shapes and angles that we could study.  I also thought I could tie in the cause/effect with the studio being held by chains.  One last thing I contemplated doing is having my students design structures, build them and then test them to see if they can hold a certain amount of weight.  While I was in the bookstore, I picked up two books ”Frank Lloyd Wright for Kids” and a geometrical design coloring book.  The Wright book for kids has background information for me to provide to my students, in addition to several activities in various steps of architecture.  I just feel this would be a great way to introduce my students to noticing the layout and designs of buildings.  I also want them to be able to realize how many skills are required to be a good architect.  Swink just built a new gym, I thought we could study those pictures and get a feel for the steps needed to proceed to the finished project.  The coloring book will be a great way to talk about geometric shapes and angles, since my students struggle with some of them as they become three-dimensional forms.

World's Fair all light up

It worked out great that we hit the Museum of Science and Industry next, because Wright’s name popped up when Richard was talking about the Transportation Building for the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition.  As I looked in the various rooms set up, I wished that Colorado had something like this for our students to be able to utilize.  I thought that once the UCLA website gets Colorado’s building and the rest of the Midway up on the virtual tour, that would be something I would like to show my students.  I want to get across to my students how innovative and technologically advanced the World’s Fair was, by rattling off things that were introduced and still exist almost 115 years!  I thought through pictures  my students could compare and contrast the Midway of the World’s Fair to the Arkansas Valley and/or State Fair.

Step on for water

I should mention the visit to U.S. Cellular Field was pleasantly surprising, very beautiful field.  But for those of you back home reading this, I am not deserting my Cubbies!!!!!!!  Also, I am very glad I spent the extra money and went and saw the Harry Potter exhibit!  Although, it is too complex a book for my students, I personally have become addicted.  Today was a good day! 

The view of US Cellular Park from my seat

 

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Wrigley Field, Sears Tower and Obama’s Face on a Jones 4-Pack Tuesday, Jun 9 2009

I got to go to Wrigley Field tonight. It was one of the most exciting things of my life this year. I got to see Harry Carey’s statue, I saw my niece’s middle name (partially inspired for my brother in law’s love of Mark Grace), Sammy Sosa and got Cubbie gear. I stood outside of a builidng that I have always wanted to see. The only regret I have is not taking the tour…I was bein cheap and missed my opportunity to go inside the sacred walls!

Holy Cow!!!!!!

One other stop before returning back to blog was the Sears Tower. It was only from the 99th floor instead of the 103rd floor and a little foggy, but it was spectacular. I almost think that if I have time, I might go again on a clearer night so I can see more of Chicago’s breathtaking sites.

At the 7-11 downstairs...

I have two burning questions:  1)Do you think we are going to see the Jones collector item in Colorado? and 2) Does Solider Field have anything on the nosebleed seats, like the Broncos have?

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Pull up a chair for the Modification of the DBQ and The Great Chicago Fire… Tuesday, Jun 9 2009

This morning we headed back to the Chicago History Museum.  The DBQ is such a friendly teaching tool, because it walks you thru the specific details, backgrounds and activities.  It also provides you with the ability to modify and tweak for different grade levels.  I like that is gets students reading for a purpose, they have a question and they have to investigate to discover it.  My first graders love to be detectives so this will be right up there alley.  My students struggle with the concepts of complex cause and effect, as well as inferences.  With a great deal of scaffolding and repeating this lesson over and over, I think my students will leave first grade with a better understanding.  The good and bad thing about first grade is that they are very impressionable and want to learn but they are also very inexperienced.

To make learning happen, I am going to have to go every step one at a time.  I will have to model and guide the process.  As a class we will go over each document together.  But before the class discussion, I am going to give students to discuss their ideas with their cooperative groups.  In the beginning, we will have votes of which position they chose, as the year goes on I think we can work up to sharing your idea with a buddy, in your cooperative group and then with the class.  I realized in reflecting back this year, my students didn’t write as much as they probably should have.  Therefore, this year I am going to try and incorporate writing into the area of Social Studies.  One way, I think I can do that is by having my students do narrative writings about the documents that are pictures.  Also, students can recreate these eras in history by putting themselves in the story as a character.  Instead of writing a persuasive paper, they could do an informative planner on the two sides.  I really liked the timelines and want my students to understand the importance time serves in history. 

 

Nails, Nails, Nails, Nails, Nails

On the tour of The Great Chicago Fire, I realized how important it is for tactile objects that bring home the reality and in this case the severity of the situation.  In the activity The Great Chicago Fire:  Chicago is Burning!” that Heidi provided us with, I really think I could expose my students to the story.  The fire is a natural disaster which we talk about in a Social Studies unit.  The Narrative asks higher level thinking questions after every paragraph and makes students put themselves into the situation; therefore, making the history come alive!

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A Note to Whit Whit…Gavin and Ivy too… Monday, Jun 8 2009

Lissy...r u????

Whitney, since I know Grammy is reading this to you, I got you something at Navy Pier.  Make sure she reads the caption on the pic of me. 

I saw this in the Musuem and thought of you…does it look familiar?

Gavin and Ivy:  you two are to little to have this read to you, but Lissy loves you two too!!!!!!

Whit Whit's Toy

 

Love and miss you, baby girl, peanut and baby boy!

~Lissy

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Lesson Plan Idea…very rough idea (MODIFICATION 6/19) Monday, Jun 8 2009

6/19…Modification to my lesson plan…after listening to Chip Brady…I have decided to modify a mini-Q to the 1st grade level.  I always love a good challenge, so this should be fun!  As I have contemplated and contemplated…I have decided that at my level it is okay to have a simple yes or no…the question being Does art show history?  I realize my little ones are going to need a lot of hand holding through this process.  So wish me luck!!!!!

I would like to do a lesson about Art Appreciation…my question would be: How does Art make History come to life?

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Super Subway Shuffle to the Chicago History Museum Monday, Jun 8 2009

My day started out with another first, I got to ride the Subway.  It was very exciting and very breezy when the train came thru the terminal!  The terminal freaked me out a little because it was more-than-comfortable quarters for me. 

Bumpy ride…

Mafioso

Santa Fe then…BNSF now…

Super Bowl Shuffle…da’Bears

The day in the Museum was very enlightening for me.  I now have several websites that I can take advantage on my SMART board in my classroom.  It will be a way for me to show my students, where I was when I am talking about concepts.  I spent sometime tonight playing around with Encyclopedia of Chicago, I had a blast!  I was actually thinking about making a webquest utilizing facts from just that site during our Computer Lab time.  I think my students would love it.  I took an online course this Spring from Adams State and learned about “Keypals,” I am hoping that I can have my students connect with first graders from Chicago and they can hear their take on their history and opinions of those locations. 

The Great Chicago Stories portion got me thinking of how I might tweak some of those activities, towards my first graders.  As Heidi went thru the categories of the Elementary subjects, I thought I would be able to introduce the World’s Fair and talk about the architecture of the buildings.  As well as child labor issues where work was more important for some children than school during the mid-1800’s to early 1900’s.  We talk about weather; therefore, we could touch on the Chicago Fire and why it spread so rapidly.  Fire is fascinating to my first graders.  I thought the Fur Trade story could be used as a Compare and Contrast to Bent’s Old Fort.  Since I have a place to pull primary sources from, I realize I better start using them.  Also, the Otero Museum has old time phonebooks that I am wondering if they would let me bring in, so we could compare the people in Swink now to then.  I thought the Hot Dog story would be enjoyable on a lunch day that we are having  hot dogs.  We could compare our hot dogs to theirs.  Also, I thought it would be fun to bring in the ingredients for a Chicago Dog and have them sample it.  It could also be a great way to tie in a Personal Narrative of what they thought of it, because even though they all have the same experience the perceptions are completely different.  I am also going to touch on that concept when I talk about this trip and show them bits and pieces of information I took that was completely different.  I liked that the Great Chicago Stories had reading comprehension questions, in addition to vocabulary words.  These tabs will give my students the opportunity to utilize higher-level thinking skills.  I would also like to try the Historical Heads in a very modified version.

A group of us spent some time at the Navy Pier.  We got rained on, saw a rainbow and ate at Billy Goat Tavern & Grill.  Three of us also rode the Ferris Wheel.  Navy Pier was a sight to see!

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