Friday's Pioneer Day celebration at Russellville's Upper Elementary wasn't the first time fifth-graders have done a little role playing to learn about American history, but, according to teachers, it's one of their favorite activities of the year.
"There's no way they'll learn it better than this," teacher Sarah Coker said. "We want them to know about it ahead of time and be excited, but it's also neat to see them when this day actually gets here and they realize everything they're going to get to do. They are always surprised."
Students in Group A at the upper elementary wrapped up a study of the Oregon Trail and the California gold rush by dressing in period costumes and participating in a variety of activities from that time period.
Activities included panning for "gold nuggets" in a nearby creek, pitching horseshoes and watching demonstrations such as making rag dolls, churning butter, knitting, quilting, making soap and making candles. Students also heard a presentation about different tools from the pioneer days.
"We do this every year," teacher Kay Dickey said. "When we study American history, there are always certain time periods that are popular among the students. The Revolutionary War is always big, and they always get excited about trails west and the Oregon Trail."
Dickey said students sang songs from the pioneer days such as, "Oh, Susanna," and watched a square dancing demonstration. Dickey said Middle School Assistant Principal Mark Gotcher accompanied the students on his guitar when they sang.
"I tell the kids, back when it was low tech, backyard games were the entertainment," Dickey said. "And if you had music, wow. It was just about simple ways to have fun."
Teacher Brenda Dane said the two-week study of America's westward expansion begins with activities such as looking at maps of the trails. Dane said writing and other subjects such as science and math are incorporated into the study.
"First, we show them the different trails, and then we go through the preparation these pioneers had to make to set out," Dane said. "We use our writing skills a lot. They have to write about what trail they will choose to follow, what they will need to take and, when they're actually on the trail, what problems they might encounter and how they are going to solve them."
Dane said the students write in journal form about life as a pioneer on the trail. But she said the classroom activities all lead up to Pioneer Day, where the students get to experience all they have learned about firsthand.
"This is the day they get to see and feel what it was like to be a pioneer," Dane said. "I think they need to feel it and experience it to really appreciate it."
The four Group A teachers - Coker, Dane, Dickey and Jill Pointer - have a lot of help from other staff members and parents throughout the preparation and the celebration of Pioneer Day.
"Every year, we send out letters to our parents telling them about this," Coker said. "We ask them to contribute their skills and their time, and we always get a good response. Parents are a big part of it."
Several parents helped by doing demonstrations, while others lent a hand supervising children doing outdoor activities. Also, several school staff members led demonstrations.
"We have some stand-bys that we use each year, but we also have wonderful parents every year that come help," Coker said.
Dane said she believes Pioneer Day not only gives the students a better understanding of what they have been studying but a deeper appreciation for the pioneers as well.
"I think we come out with a feeling of how much we owe those early pioneers," Dane said. "I think they come out understanding it so much better but also being proud of their heritage."