Pioneer Studies
2007 Pioneer Week Schedule
Wondering what is going on during Pioneer Week 1887? Here is a schedule of activities. If you haven't turned in that volunteer form, make sure to get it back to your child's teacher.
Page_white_acrobat Pioneer_Week.pdf
Conner Prairie Field Trip
Indian Creek Fourth Graders visited Conner Prairie to learn first-hand about the Deleware (Lenape) Indians who once lived in Indiana.
South Eastway Park - Pioneer Plant Expedition
We had a wonderful time visiting South Eastway Park to learn about plants used by the pioneers. Everything from Stinging Nettle (promotes hair growth according to the Doctrine of Signatures) to Jewel Weed which helps stop the itch of Poison Ivy. We gathered all sorts of nuts: hickory, beech, buckeyes and black walnuts and learned about their uses. Did you know theat the skin surrounding the black walnut was used as a hairdye? Finally we had some real Maple Syrup and wrote with Pokeberry ink. Make sure to ask your fourth grader what their favorite part was.
Indiana 1887

In October fourth graders get to "walk a mile" in the shoes of a pioneer. For a week they live the life of a pioneer child while at school.  Dressing as a pioneer, doing chores, learning about the hardships of pioneer life.  It is probably one of the most exciting weeks for our students with everything from quilting and embroidery to milking a"cow."  The week includes visiting experts on pioneer history along with Native American and pioneer music.  The students are immersed in pioneer life, a truly unforgettable experience.

Literature Links

Looking for more pioneer period books to read (besides Little House in the Big Woods)?  Here are some other titles (or authors) to consider:

  • Anything by Laura Ingalls Wilder
  • The Teacher's Funeral by Richard Peck 2006-07 YHBA Nominee
  • Chig and the Second Spread by Gwenyth Swain 2006-07 YHBA Nominee

Then again asking Ms. Bloomfield is a great way to find a great book.

Pioneer Week 1886
A slideshow of the highlights of Pioneer Week 2006-2007
Pioneer Week 2006 - Fourth graders enjoy Pioneer Week and the cold weather.

Click picture to start slideshow