By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current
Three classes of Southwest Grade School third graders had a lesson in history, but not from textbooks.
A Pioneer Day was planned by Southwest third grade teachers Michelle Craig, Shawn King, and Tyann Hintgen to offer their students a peek at what life was like at the turn of the century. The “lesson” included a trip to the home of Linda Flatt and her husband, the late Steve Flatt, then to City Park for lunch before a going to Central Theater for a showing of the movie “Little House on the Prairie.”
Students and teachers were dressed in “pioneer” clothing for their outing.
At the Flatt home, boys and girls were able to take part in living like pioneers and spent time visiting different stations where they participated in activities that included spinning and carding wool, making music on homemade instruments, churning butter and cooking on a wood stove, school room using slates, kneading bread and grinding wheat, churning ice cream and then tasting, laundry using wash boards, games, hair braiding, shaving, gardening, quilting, broom making and games.
According to the three teachers, the students learned what it was like to work in a pioneer kitchen and thoroughly enjoyed pretending to make baked goods and pumping water from a hand pump.
“After completing a mini-unit on Pioneers and the Westward Expansion, students were able to experience life as a pioneer,” Craig said.
The activity was funded by Linda Flatt and many volunteers, Geneseo First Methodist Church along with Southwest School PTA.
King summed up the day and said, “We are just so thrilled to be able to offer our students this amazing opportunity. It allows them to experience hands-on the lessons we have been teaching about the pioneers and Westward Expansion.”
Southwest School third graders Carmela Guerrero, Elaina Johnston and Elijah Hudgeons watch Linda Flatt as she cards wool on the front porch of her home during Pioneer Day.
Southwest third grade teacher Tyann Hintgen explains to her daughter Grayson Hintgen how wash tubs were used in an earlier time during the Pioneer Day activities held at the home of Linda Flatt.
Volunteer Conner Brinson demonstrates an antique marble game to third grade students Aubree Straka and Luke Schluenz and third grade teacher Shawn King.
Bob Sowers, left, a volunteer at Pioneer Day pretends to give a shave to third grader Parker Williams.
Volunteer Sara Guerrero, a parent volunteer, braids the hair of third grade student Atilah Wyffels.
