In first grade social studies, students learn about how things change over time, and we had the opportunity to experience this firsthand with a trip to Homestead National Historical Park!
Our day began at the Heritage Center, where students explored farm equipment from the past. We were then welcomed by a friendly park ranger who taught us about the Homestead Act and explained how people were able to obtain land during that time. After a special serenade of Home on the Range and a discussion about the land all around us, we headed downstairs for a scavenger hunt through the museum. Students searched for items that would have been found in homes and on farms long ago. This was another wonderful opportunity to see just how much things have changed over time!
After exploring the Heritage Center, we took a short bus ride to the Freeman School House. Students kicked things off with a relay game featuring chores children would have been responsible for during that time, including planting seeds, churning butter, sweeping floors, and washing clothes. They had fun comparing those chores to the responsibilities they have at home today and discussing how they might be similar or different. The highlight of this part of our visit was getting to step inside the one-room schoolhouse! Students loved learning about how school life back then was so different from the school experience they enjoy today.
Once we finished our visit to Homestead, we loaded the bus and headed to Roca Berry Farm! In science, our first graders have been learning about life cycles, including the life cycle of a pumpkin. We have also been exploring the different structures of a pumpkin plant and how each part helps the plant and its fruit grow and survive. Students had a blast running around and enjoying all the fun activities at Roca, but they were especially excited to spot pumpkin blossoms and little green pumpkins growing right on the vines! It was so exciting to see what we have been learning about in science happening right in front of us.
It was a beautiful day filled with learning, exploring, and making memories! We definitely had a bus full of sleepy first graders on the ride home. What a wonderful day of learning beyond the classroom!
