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History lessons found right at home
(by Sali McSherry - November 19, 2008)
History lessons found right at home
By SALI McSHERRY
Third-grader Paul Cantlay showed off a solid gold pocket watch that his great grandfather received on his 21st birthday in 1910. He in turn gave it to his grandson, Paul's father, on his 21st birthday.
While it was a little too big and heavy to take to school, third-grader Mackenzie Shanklin, showed a picture of a solid wood desk made in Nova Scotia, Canada, that her great grandfather gave to her grandparents as a wedding present.
Third-grader Jillian Morrison carefully picked up a red glass teacup circa 1898, she brought from home to show the class.
It was no typical show and tell, said Chris Fishman, a teacher at Gurney Elementary School in South Russell. It was part of a history lesson, and the goal was for the students to find the oldest item in their homes, she said.
The project was related to a third-grade unit of study on the history of Chagrin Falls, Mrs. Fishman said, and was ideal because the kids are familiar with the idea of artifacts, such as the souvenirs they collect, and the art and schoolwork their parents save. But still, they're surprised to find artifacts in their homes, she said.
Matthew Young showed off a Civil War letter dating from 1862 that his father purchased from his grandfather.
Neal McFarlane showed a photograph of a rocking chair built by hand in 1822 by 18-year-old James Monroe, who sold it to his ancestors. He said his great grandmother rocked his mother in the chair.
"I love the way they can act as young anthropologists, making sense of the context in which the item was displayed or used during days gone by," Mrs. Fishman said.
Hannah Ducas displayed a photograph of a 150-year-old safe. She said it was used to protect valuables from fire and theft. Her great grandfather kept the accounting books in the safe when he worked as a bookkeeper at a steel mill.
Allison Bisker said she was excited about the project and to bring a "cool object to school and share some history about it."
Mrs. Fishman said she tries to design her lessons and school experiences to reach beyond what might typically be called subject matter. In addition, there are valuable aims having to do with self-knowledge and the understanding of a democratic society, she said.
"Students are getting a bit of philosophy, science and language experience while they talk to family members, search online and learn about the inventions that brought change in daily life. They've constructed books and time lines to support their learning as well," Mrs. Fishman said.
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