Triton 6th graders are learning about Minnesota history and government in their Social Studies class. A field trip to St. Paul on October 19 enriched what they have learned so far and gave them a reference for lessons yet to come.
On a brisk Wednesday morning students learned from Fort Snelling guides who were stationed throughout the grounds. Students learned about ancient Native American tools discovered at the site. They watched a blacksmith heat, pound, cut and create a nail. They saw where the famous slaves Dred and Harriet Scott (Supreme Court Dred Scott decision) lived at the fort’s hospital. Students explored the rooms of the nicer officer’s home, to the not so nice soldiers’ quarters. They were instructed on how to march and watched the officer load and fire his gun. And they learned of the hard work of washing clothes.
At the State Capitol, knowledgeable and entertaining guides talked about the workings of government as the students were seated in the Minnesota Supreme Court Chambers and the upper gallery of the Senate floor. Then all climbed the spiral staircase to the roof to get a close up look at the golden horses.
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