Pilgrims and Indians-History Alive
Our students have been studying the history of English settlers moving west to American and meeting the Wampanoag Indians that lived on the eastern coast of the United States. They have participated in many activities, but today, students were able to learn about the Potawatomie Indians from our area and what the first Thanksgiving was really like. We started with Mrs.Willard and her husband. They came today to share a little about the American Indian culture from our area. Mrs. Willard is a historian with the Fulton County Historical Society and has been adopted into the Potawatomie Indian Tribe. She had many photographs of important chiefs and others that played a part in our local Indian history. Mrs. Willard told us that Native American is not the preferred name category that most Potawatomie want to be referred to. This is because that name can be any person born as a native to America. Generally, the tribes like to be called "Indians" or "American Indians" because that is more true to their culture. She also shared with us that this is the 175th anniversary of the Trail of Death from Indiana to Kansas. She explained that the Indians were tricked in many ways by many people which led to them being pushed out and sent west. The trail began at Twin Lakes in Plymouth and as it progressed, 859 Potawatomie were marched at Gunpoint through Rochester's main street. The first death was a baby, and this happened just six miles south of Rochester. Over 300 tribal people were sick by the time they arrived in Logansport, so a tent hospital was set up. After they marched many miles, they finally had arrived at Sugar Creek, Kansas. This would be their home, but there were no housing arrangements. The group needed to keep warm in the canyon huddling near rocks until they themselves could construct shelter. Along the way, 42 had lost their life and around 100 had deserted the group. We greatly appreciated Mr. & Mrs. Willard taking time out to come see us! Our students ended their studies of the Pilgrims and Indians by having foods that represented what the actual Harvest Feast of 1621 would have included. It was a great chance for students to compare and contrast the differences from a Thanksgiving in 1621 to the Thanksgiving we know today!
Our students have been studying the history of English settlers moving west to American and meeting the Wampanoag Indians that lived on the eastern coast of the United States. They have participated in many activities, but today, students were able to learn about the Potawatomie Indians from our area and what the first Thanksgiving was really like. We started with Mrs.Willard and her husband. They came today to share a little about the American Indian culture from our area. Mrs. Willard is a historian with the Fulton County Historical Society and has been adopted into the Potawatomie Indian Tribe. She had many photographs of important chiefs and others that played a part in our local Indian history. Mrs. Willard told us that Native American is not the preferred name category that most Potawatomie want to be referred to. This is because that name can be any person born as a native to America. Generally, the tribes like to be called "Indians" or "American Indians" because that is more true to their culture. She also shared with us that this is the 175th anniversary of the Trail of Death from Indiana to Kansas. She explained that the Indians were tricked in many ways by many people which led to them being pushed out and sent west. The trail began at Twin Lakes in Plymouth and as it progressed, 859 Potawatomie were marched at Gunpoint through Rochester's main street. The first death was a baby, and this happened just six miles south of Rochester. Over 300 tribal people were sick by the time they arrived in Logansport, so a tent hospital was set up. After they marched many miles, they finally had arrived at Sugar Creek, Kansas. This would be their home, but there were no housing arrangements. The group needed to keep warm in the canyon huddling near rocks until they themselves could construct shelter. Along the way, 42 had lost their life and around 100 had deserted the group. We greatly appreciated Mr. & Mrs. Willard taking time out to come see us! Our students ended their studies of the Pilgrims and Indians by having foods that represented what the actual Harvest Feast of 1621 would have included. It was a great chance for students to compare and contrast the differences from a Thanksgiving in 1621 to the Thanksgiving we know today!
REMIND 101
Classroom Text Messages and email notifications
I try to keep our classroom webpage updated daily for families to check out homework each day, projects, photos, and other events. I also send home weekly newsnotes, progress packets, and homework logs to help everyone feel connected to what is happening with your child. However, I know that my cell phone has become a way for me to connect with the world in countless ways while always being on the go, so I thought occasional text messages about upcoming events, tests, project due dates, etc. could be helpful to families on the go too. If you have a text package as part of you cell phone plan and want to receive updates just sign up. It is free to sign up, you do not need a smart phone, and I will not bother you with daily text messages.
How to sign up for Mrs. Strycker's Mrs. Strycker's 3rd Grade Classroom notifications:
Text @mrsstryc to (571) 512-3856 or Email
mrsstryc@mail.remind101.com
Remind101 Inc., a safe way for teachers to communicate with
students and parents.
To opt-out, text 'unsubscribe @mrsstryc' to (571) 512-3856. Standard text
message rates apply.
Visit remind101.com to learn more
How to sign up for Mrs. Strycker's Mrs. Strycker's 3rd Grade Classroom notifications:
Text @mrsstryc to (571) 512-3856 or Email
mrsstryc@mail.remind101.com
Remind101 Inc., a safe way for teachers to communicate with
students and parents.
To opt-out, text 'unsubscribe @mrsstryc' to (571) 512-3856. Standard text
message rates apply.
Visit remind101.com to learn more
Sumdog
During our math station rotations, I am able to work on individual student needs by allowing work time on homework, small group practice, and with computer activities. I prefer to be able to do these rotations daily for about 15 minutes each. Sometimes rotations do not work out, but my goal is to have them most days out of each week! This past week during math our class has had the opportunity to practice math in a new and fun way by adding Sumdog to the list of our computer activities. I gave students passwords that can be used at home to play the games from the www.sumdog.com website. These games are based on our Indiana State Standards, and there are over 100 of them looping through each activity that kids select to play. Students may play against the computer, their classmates, or other students around the world that are also in the game. The site is secure and will not specifically share where children are playing. If students play against others in the world, they will only identfy the country of the player. Our classroom has been buzzing about this game, and it is a fantastic way to allow kids to practice math skills! I hope you have been hearing about this site and have had a chance to look it over.
Writing in the classroom...
Our students will be working on many Indiana State Standards this year and one important is writing. We will write often in class, and write in many styles for different audiences. I am a BIG stickler on writing in a way that sentences are both clear to the reader and complete! Writing can sometimes be challenging for students, but it is a valuable skill needed not only for school, but later in life to fill out job applications, records, communication, and sometimes in furture careers. I try to make sure each student knows why we are learning a skill and how it will be a part of "real" life. As a help to student writers, we often think about "BOLD BEGINNINGS" or how to start a story with interest that captures the reader's attention. We then move on to "MIGHTY MIDDLES." This is the largest part of the writing piece requiring students to add lots of clear detail. Finally, students think about "EXCITING ENDINGS." They will think of a way to end stories in a way that helps the reader understand what was read and that the story has come to its conclusion.
