October 3, 2011

Historical Perspectives: Benjamin Franklin- Statesman, Inventor

www.historicalperspectives.net

 

 

Young Ben was a voracious reader, possessing a profound curiosity which fueled his love of learning. Despite having less than two years of formal education, he quickly learned the printing trade from his brother, James, and left home at age 17 to make his own way in the world. He eventually landed in Philadelphia where he opened a printing business, the success of which enabled him to "retire" by age 42.

Never content to merely make a living, however, Ben was always intent on making a difference. He founded America's first circulating library and greatly improved the postal service. His inventions included the Franklin Stove, swim fins, the lightning rod, bifocals, and the glass armonica, the first musical instrument invented by an American.

And then, at the age of 70, he became a revolutionary, campaigning tirelessly for America's independence and helping to write both the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. While he always referred to himself as "Ben Franklin, a printer," he was considered world-wide to be the first great American.

This lively, dramatic production follows Pilgrims William and Mary Brewster and their son "Love" from England, to Holland, to the voyage of the Mayflower through their first year in Plimoth.  Attitudes between the Wampanoags and the Pilgrims are explored.  Masks, puppets, a snappy pace and even a miniature Mayflower make this highly informative show engaging and memorable. 

All School Assembly

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February 27 - March 2,  2012

Read Across America Week

Once again, Reeves School students will participate in the National Education Association's Read Across America program.  During the week of February 27 thru March 2, 2012, we will celebrate Read Across America, in honor of Dr. Seuss' birthday with many different activities and our annual Read Across America Pizza Party. 

 

Some of the activities will be: 

 

Character Day

Staff, students and visitors are asked to come to school dressed as their favorite Dr. Seuss character or other book character.

 

Wacky Wednesday 

Wacky Wednesday students are asked to come to school dressed in “WACKY” attire.

 

Pizza/PJ Party

Come have dinner and a show with all your friends!  Door prizes will be given to participating families. 

 

Grandparents Visits

Grandparents are invited to share their love of reading with their grandchild and his/her classmates. 

 

READ ACROSS AMERICA MAP

www.pioneerliving.org

 

Journey Back In Time is a traveling hands-on museum that comes to your school so that students can experience "Pioneer Living." Six different Learning Centers with their historical displays and hands-on stations provide for this field trip at your school, turning your multi-purpose room into a pioneer settlement. All of the students have the chance to do all of the activities.

 

Gold Rush Learning Center:

Learning is fun as kids relive the excitement of the Gold Rush. Kids can go panning for gold (pyrite) and weigh their find on a set of authentic miner's scales. That each child can keep three pieces of their claim is an added bonus! Artifacts on the display tell the story of a great westward movement.

Children's Learning Center:

Do you remember sock monkeys and button spinners? We do! This station features over 40 handmade wooden folk toys from craftspeople all across America. Children of all ages will find something to love as they play with pecking chickens, a whimmy-diddle, iron cabin fever puzzles, acrobats, yo-yos, ball and cup toys and lots more! We also have a collection of children's schoolbooks from the 1800s that students can take out and look at. Don't forget to read the rules from 1860! "Do not speak unless spoken to by the teacher. Talking in class = 1 whack with a rod."

 

Ma's and Pa's Learning Center:

After doing the chores at this station, children will think being a pioneer was loads of fun…but also loads of work! Here students can try suddsing up with a lather brush and shaving the way Pa did, pumping water from an old rain barrel, scrubbing clothes on a scrubboard, and wringing them out through a 150-year old washing machine.

 

Clothing Learning Center:

With general stores few and far between and pennies scarce, the pioneers didn't have many clothes. One source of clothing was sheep's' wool. Valued for its warmth and durability, it was used for everything from wool mittens to wool underwear! At this center, children will learn how wool was carded to brush the fiber straight, then spun or twisted into a piece of yarn. Each child will take their yarn home with them as a souvenir friendship bracelet.

 

Kitchen Learning Center:

From sifters to coffee grinders, cast iron to enamelware, many of the items in an 1800s kitchen resemble those things used at home today. But chances are children today have never experienced grinding wheat into flour and rolling out the bread dough. This station, with its cozy smells and tactile sensations is always a favorite.

 

Handcrafts Learning Center:

Rag rugs, quilts, corncob dolls, hand-dipped candles, tatting, and broomcorn…all common items in a pioneer home. In this center we pay tribute to the craftspeople of the 1800s who worked tirelessly to furnish the comforts of a homestead. Children will become craftspeople themselves as they make a necklace from earth-toned "trade beads" (made from pasta) to take home with them.

 

All School Assembly

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