On a bright, sunny day last Wednesday, our two third-grade classes ventured over to Faust Park in Chesterfield, Missouri. They were signed up for “The Passage West” field trip experience. For two and a half hours, our Rams got to explore the log cabin home of the Mertz family. They learned about life for families immigrating to a new country who had to establish their families, friends, and livelihoods anew in a foreign environment.
Students also played outdoor games from the time period and tried two everyday tasks that children their age were required to do in the 1800s: churn butter and make candles! Several students took the time to share their experiences:
- “I liked butter churning and candle dipping and holding the bucket carrier on my shoulders. Making butter made me feel like I was on a farm. It was amazing!” –Ada F. ’34
- “One of the games where you use sticks to toss the circle hoop in the air is as much fun as playing catch with a baseball!” –Cooper B. ’34
- “They had to walk to the creek for buckets of water… they did NOT have refrigerators… and they used wood stoves for heat AND for cooking food!” –Caleb N. ’34
- “I learned that the family used soap and grass to wash their hands. The grass foams up with water!” –Jack R. ’34
- “I loved learning how to churn butter because it made me feel like I was really working and because we got to EAT it! It was delicious!” –Wesley S. ’34
- “I learned that the crescent moon shape cut out on outhouses was for two reasons. First, it let in very few animals, and second, it let in just the right amount of light.” –Tilak S. ’34
- “People back in the 1800s had to do so much WORK! They had to make scarecrows to protect their vegetables in their gardens, and they had no electricity so they had to keep their fires going to cook and for warmth and light. It’s like they never got to rest!” –Henry R. ’34
- “I thought it was cool how they broke apart the old buildings from the 1800s to move them to the park. Then they had to build them back up like a puzzle!” -Inara K. ’34
To wrap up the Faust Park experience this week, third graders worked on creating Google slide presentations with photos and captions thanks to the guidance of Robyn Williams, Lower School Coordinator of Instructional Technology. Soon, they’ll be able to revisit their Passage West adventure whenever they look at their photo slideshows!