And yet more labels for 2020

We made the drive home from Niagara Falls. We spent about 9.5 hours on the road. 

Niagara Falls

Niagara Falls

Today we are prepping for our symposium. We've made some informational posters as well as some interactive activities. 

Averill working on her poster.

Jane and Sydney are putting together a language activity.

Maddie created a poster to explain the six different nations.

Last day in Canada

Thursday: today was our last day with the kiddos, and we were all sad to leave. We hung out with Ms. K’s class, the other kindergarten class, gym with the 3rd grade class, and Mr. MacLeod’s class. We helped out with reading time, immersion class, gym, the bake sale, and arts and crafts time where we paired up with a student in the 3rd grade to make traditional medicine pouches. After we left the school and said our goodbyes which were so hard after some of the kids made us thank you cards, we drove to Niagara Falls. We had dinner at The Rainforest Cafe (requested by Maddie), and rode on the sky wheel which had beautiful views of the falls. After that we all walked around and shopped a bit. Tomorrow morning we will head home. - Maddie

Oak participating with kindergarten gym class

Olivia helping a 3rd grader with his medicine pouch in arts class.

On Thursday I learned about the Native American Art of medicine pouches. We were taught how to make them ourself with deer hides. Back in the day natives used them to hold their medicine. Hence the name medicine pouch. It shows how creative the natives were, how they created useful art out of an animals skin. I also learned that they used every part of an animal it killed. They left nothing to waste which is very smart, resourceful and sustainable. - Oak

Ellie and Alli receiving thank you cards from the kids.

Sydney in an art class with 3rd grade.

2nd day in Canada at Six Nations

Today was a really fun day. We made pancakes for the entire school and played with kids. Some of us also got to teach students about our home/countries. After school, we went to Toronto. Half to the CN and half to the aquarium. After that we went out to eat dinner. We are enjoying our time in Canada and we are excited to go to Niagara Falls tomorrow. 

Chihie Averill and Ella 

Oak trying out the snowsnake game.

Augusta and Olivia making pancakes for the school.

Free time in Toronto

Oak showing off his pancake skills.

1/2 of us went to the CN Tower in Toronto.

Busy at working in a 1st grade classroom. 

Maggie and Sydney at the aquarium 

Augusta at the aquarium 

Averill giving a geography lesson about Boston.

Participating in a kindergarten class.

Jane teaching about Moscow to 5th graders.

View of Toronto from the CN tower.

First Day at Six Nations Reserve

After a 12 hour day traveling from New Hampton to Ohsweken, Canada, the students were excited to work with elementary students on the Six Nations Reserve. 

“Our lesson on native culture began as soon as we walked into the school. We began with a brief overview given by one of the teachers on the history of Six Nations, interweaving topics we’ve studied in school with stories she’d heard from grandparents and great-grandparents. We learned about six warring clans, united by necessity while still maintaining their own individuality, and how the strength of the people lay in their diversity. 

The children at the school are aware of their inheritance, more so than most, and preserve their heritage by learning the Cayuga language, reading books on residential schools, and performing traditional war dances. They are sweet, funny, and curious, and asked us about our school and favorite classes and sports. Their eagerness to learn, both about their past and ours, reflects the school’s mission to instill an understanding about both Six Nations’ past and the world today.

The Six Nations historical center almost taunts the old Mohawk residential school located next to it; the center fights to preserve the legacy of native people despite the odds stacked against them. From the longhouses built six hundred years ago, to wampum beads made from quahog shells and used as currency and to make belts, to the residential schools used to erase native culture, both the triumphs and trials of the people of Six Nations were displayed behind clear glass cases.” - Augusta

Claire and Ella teaching a song and dance to the kindergarten class.

We observed a smoke dance performed by 6th and 7th graders.

We visited the Woodland Cultural Centre. This is a closed residence school.

Maddie excited to be in the kindergarten class.

Ella with the kindergarten class.

Maggie interacting with the kids during their lunch break.

At the cultural museum 

Out to dinner to Burger Barn with the MacLeods. 

6th and 7th grade boys performing a smoke dance.

Six Nations Canada Group is excited for their trip

New Hampton Students are excited for their trip to Canada. Below are our competencies:

1. Students will understand how to be an ally to the indigenous population. 
2. Students will impart an academic or life lesson on the elementary kids. 
3. Students will learn about the culture of the reserve and identify different tribes. 

Today at our final group meeting we discussed our itinerary:

• Monday - travel to Canada
• Tuesday - work at I.L. Thomas Elementary School. Students will help out in the classroom, with lunch duty and recess duty. We will also have the opportunity to travel to Woodland Cultural Centre and Museum. 
• Wednesday - 2nd day at the school. In the afternoon, students will travel to Toronto and have the opportunity to choose an activity. 
• Thursday - 3rd and final day at the school. In the afternoon, the group will travel to Niagara Falls. 
• Friday - travel back to campus
• Saturday - prepare for the symposium and reflect on the week.