Living Like The Seminole
The children returned to school on Tuesday and were delighted to see that the Exploratorium had traveled back in time! In place of the loft, a Seminole chickee waited to share the secrets of Seminole life long ago.
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| Clay pots filled with corn, vegetables, and coffee line the walls of the chickee. The children experience using a Mortar and Pestle for grinding corn into cornmeal for cooking. Our very own garden herbs hang from the ceiling of the chickee to be dried and used for medicines, cooking, and more. Baby dolls sleep cozily in hammocks and are carried close in loving arms of Seminole mommies and daddies! Sticks and leaves fill baskets and can be used to build "fires" for cooking. Of course, no dramatic play area would be complete without dress ups! We have all sorts of special clothing for the children to explore and explore in! |
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| grinding corn and coffee beans for cooking |
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| using a homemade loom for weaving |
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| Respect for nature and it's majestic beauty! The Seminole people often told stories where the main characters were animals. |
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| constructing the chickee with corn husks, twigs, palms, etc. |
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| As time went on and more people began settling around the country houses became more elaborate like this one made from logs. The children have the opportunity to play with this beautiful log cabin and pretend to be pioneers! Rocks Rock! |
I have to say, this is one of my favorite books! We can learn so much from Native Americans in the way they respected the land they lived on and allowed nature to sink into their spirits. This is a beautiful book about the wonder of a single rock. I bet you didn't know that you could "connect" with a rock if you get down on it's level! Did you ever take time to sniff a rock? Ever wonder where a rock has been or where it may go? WE DID! Today we took a "rock walk" and each child found their perfect rock. The best part is that they did it all on their own and no two rocks were alike! The children drew pictures of their rocks and then talked about them. Be sure to ask your little geologist about his/her rock and what it means to have one.
We are having such a wonderful time this November!
We've been practicing our poem for Poetry In The Park on Friday. Don't miss it! :) We'll begin at 8:30 am.
Don't forget to visit the Book Fair this week. Reading to them is the best gift you can give your children.
Have a super week!
Mrs. Carson
