9 October 2016

Gibson's class took a field trip to an old farm.  Volunteers from the historical society presented a variety of activities to teach the kids about pioneer life. 

 We wish we had asked the names of the wonderful volunteers who shared their skills and knowledge.  This man taught the kids some folk songs.

 He also taught them the Virginia Reel.  In this photo the kids are lining up and finding their partners.

 No one lives at the farm, but the historical society manages it as a working farm with crops and animals.  The kids got to use apples from the apple orchard to make fresh apple juice.  In this photo Gibson and Jamie are cleaning apples.

 Here's a photo of Gibson coring an apple.  After the kids cored the apples, volunteers cut the apples into chunks.

 All of the chunks were placed in small barrels with a drip pan at the bottom.  The kids could crank on the handle at the top of the barrel to make juice.

 Gibson tried the juice, but said it made his mouth itch.  Becky liked the juice.  It tasted exactly like apples.

 Takelma Indians lived in our area before there were any farms.  This man shared some Takelma stories and showed tools the Takelma used like baskets, grinding stones and bows and arrows.

 This woman is an expert weaver and showed how to make cloth from wool.  First she showed the kids how to prepare the wool by combing the fibers smooth.

 She spun the wool into thread on this spinning wheel.  The woman said she owns 13 spinning wheels.  She only brought one to the farm.

 The kids could try weaving the thread on one of two tabletop looms.

Here's a photo of most of Gibson's class at the farm.  The volunteers kept the attention of these 4th and 5th graders all afternoon with their interesting presentations.

 Brandan took Helen to our stake's Daddy/Daughter dance on Friday.  The dance had a princess theme so they both dressed up.

Becky learned how to do a sock bun in Helen's hair for the occasion by watching videos on YouTube.

Gibson played goalie for the first time on Saturday.  His coach likes to have everyone on his team learn how to play every position.  Playing goalie is tough and the other team scored a few goals.  Gibson showed determination and wants to practice being goalie more and give it another try.

 Abe's US History class is studying the election process since this is a presidential election year.  His teacher assigned everyone in his class to create a board game to explain the process.  Abe put together a fun and interesting game.  Abe, Helen and Gibson have played it many times this weekend.  Abe will turn it in tomorrow.

 Here's a view of the game board.  You play by drawing action cards from a colorful hat.  You move according to the directions on the card.  The first person to the finish wins and gets to wear the hat.