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- The
Discover History Program
This opportunity came
about because we wanted students to have an in-depth experience with
history. Instead of a tour, touching briefly on a variety of subjects,
the students will study in a hands-on manner, a bit of their history.
The Historical Village will come alive with storekeepers and visitors,
all in costume. We appreciate the cooperation of the school district
and all the volunteers who work so hard to make this happen. It is a
wonderful learning experience for everyone involved.
The Discover History
Program is held in cooperation with the Albert Lea Area Schools. Mr.
James Haney, High School Humanities Instructor, coordinates the program
along with the fifth grade teachers from Halverson, Hawthorne,
Lakeview, and Sibley Elementary Schools. Each semester, Mr. Haney's
students study, in depth, many topics related to Freeborn County
approximately 100 years ago. With the assistance of Linda Evenson,
Freeborn County Museum Librarian, and several community volunteers,
they research and develop a 50 to 60 minute presentation involving
topics such as transportation, law enforcement, housing, religion and
the church, agriculture, the general store, immigration, and railroads.
The humanity students, working in small groups, will then develop
twelve different presentations. While the high school students are
doing their research and preparing their presentation, the elementary
students are also learning about Freeborn County in the early 1900s.
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Washing
clothes
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Click on the picture to see a larger view
Before the elementary students come to the
Freeborn County Historical Museum, their teachers will have divided
them into twelve groups. Each group will have the opportunity to learn
from the high school students in four of the twelve areas. These groups
or areas are assigned by the elementary teachers before the fifth grade
students come to the museum. The high school students give their
presentations four times during the day. After the first presentation,
there is a short break during which suggestions are made to help the
humanities students improve their presentations. It also provides a
lavatory break for the fifth grade students. At noon, the elementary
students have an opportunity to interact with the high school students.
This is very rewarding for everyone.
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Making
candles for the church
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Click on the picture to see a larger view
As part of the presentations, the high school
students, often provide opportunities for the fifth graders to
participate in different activities such as candle making,
fingerprinting, sawing logs, making small teepees etc. There are also
opportunities to taste some foods of the period which the high school
students have prepared either during their presentation or the night
before. This program has become one of the highlights of the year for
both the humanities students and the fifth grade students. It is a
wonderful learning opportunity for everyone including the classroom
teachers who learn something new each time they attend.
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Learning
to plant seeds
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Click on the picture to see a larger view
The Freeborn County Historical Museum is
pleased to make this opportunity available for the students of Albert
Lea. We would be happy to work with other area schools to implement
this program for their students as well.
Other
Photos from Discover History Day
(Click on the photo to see a
larger view)
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