"Does a community have a soul? If so, from where does it come, and what are its characteristics?"
Stories in Stone: Memories from a Bygone Farming Community in North Carolina, page 2
Field Trip Description
6th grade students take a field trip to Umstead State Park in order to have hands-on learning experiences in all subject areas, and to develop an appreciation for their local community and history.
Students will follow the "Southern Walk" as outlined in Stories in Stone, a history of Umsted State Park, and historic locations in the park. Along the way, students will visit the Young Family Homesite, the Young Family Cemetery, the Reedy Creek Picnic Shelter, the Company Mill Dam Ruins, and the steel Footbridge which crosses Crabtree Creek.
Students will follow the "Southern Walk" as outlined in Stories in Stone, a history of Umsted State Park, and historic locations in the park. Along the way, students will visit the Young Family Homesite, the Young Family Cemetery, the Reedy Creek Picnic Shelter, the Company Mill Dam Ruins, and the steel Footbridge which crosses Crabtree Creek.
objectives
The learner will
- develop an appreciation for local history and the importance of being the "keepers of memory,"
- write poetry to reflect on a learning experience, and
- use imagery in writing to paint a descriptive picture of Umstead it appears now and as it was in the past.
Rationale
As we know from Dewey and Beane, it is crucial for EAs to feel connected to their community and to take an active role in society. School should not serve to isolate students from the rest of the population, rather, it should prepare them for involved, democratic citizenship.
Learning about local history helps early adolescents feel connected to their community.
Learning about local history helps early adolescents feel connected to their community.
Considerations
Students will hike between four and five miles and need to be prepared with water, athletic clothing, and tennis shoes.
One of the stops on the hike is the Young Family Cemetery where students will visit the graves of James, Martha, Irene, and Eugene Young as well as several unmarked gravestones. Visiting a cemetery can dig up memories in students who have lost family members or friends to death. Students also might ask philosophical questions like, "What happens after someone dies?" The teacher will take a historical approach to understanding and appreciating the history of this place. Early adolescents are eager to go on field trips and are excited about a change of scenery. They must taught ahead of time about showing a proper level of respect when visiting the cemetery. In addition, students will need to be careful when hiking. Rough housing could cause injury.
*This field trip is a theoretical plan and has not been approved by the State Park or the school district. Teachers interested in planning this trip will need to coordinate with their field trip committee, school administration, and the State Park Office.
One of the stops on the hike is the Young Family Cemetery where students will visit the graves of James, Martha, Irene, and Eugene Young as well as several unmarked gravestones. Visiting a cemetery can dig up memories in students who have lost family members or friends to death. Students also might ask philosophical questions like, "What happens after someone dies?" The teacher will take a historical approach to understanding and appreciating the history of this place. Early adolescents are eager to go on field trips and are excited about a change of scenery. They must taught ahead of time about showing a proper level of respect when visiting the cemetery. In addition, students will need to be careful when hiking. Rough housing could cause injury.
*This field trip is a theoretical plan and has not been approved by the State Park or the school district. Teachers interested in planning this trip will need to coordinate with their field trip committee, school administration, and the State Park Office.