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Watson Elementary School students go back in time Learning — old school
Photo
Austin Shanabarger and Nolan Ballard of Watson Elementary School in Austintown try out an oxen yoke as they get a hands-on lesson about pioneer life. Ester Hallaman, volunteer with the Arms Family Museum of Local History, is sharing a story and artifacts during her two-day visit to the school.
By christine keeling
austintown
Some second-graders here are taking a step back in time.
Watson Elementary School students are getting a hands-on lesson about life as pioneers from The Arms Family Museum of Local History. Museum volunteer Ester Hallaman is sharing a story and artifacts during her two-day visit to the school.
“Life was different,” Hallaman, a retired teacher, told Jill Groat’s students Tuesday. “There was no hotels, motels or McDonald’s”; pioneers “carried everything with them.”
The students got a peek into the struggles a family faced as it settled in Ravenna during 1803, as Hallaman, dressed in period clothing, read “Warm as Wool,” by Scott R. Sanders, to them.
Nolan Ballard and Austin Shanabarger eagerly volunteered to demonstrate how oxen wore a yoke to help horses pull covered wagons, for their classmates.
Students in the room covered their mouths in shock when they learned people in the 1800s didn’t bathe every day. They cringed and said “Eww!” when they found out bathwater was often shared among family members.
“This helps them learn how lucky they are to have the conveniences we have,” said Groat.
She said her class has spent time learning about animals, Native Americans and pioneers. But, having someone visit makes it more real, she said.
“Once they get to see it,” said Groat. “It clicks.”
Jeremiah Nakley, 7, said he was surprised to learn that ox are stronger than horses. He enjoyed rubbing hand cards together, he said.
Cards are a rectangular tool used by pioneers to straighten wool and were just one of many artifacts Hallaman encouraged the children to touch and experience.
“Cool,” said several students fascinated by Jacob’s Ladder, a simplistic toy children played with more than 200 years ago. “It’s magic,” they said.
Hallaman will be at the school today to finish her presentations to all five second-grade classrooms.
The pioneer presentation is one of two traveling programs the museum offers to schools.
The free programs are designed to help educators supplement classroom teaching and are available year round.
The museum also offers free teaching kits that include an instructional guide, lesson plans, photos, artifacts, games, maps and worksheets on a variety of topics including immigration, timelines and several heritage-based themes.
For information, educators can call the museum at 330-743-2589.