Language Study

The following lesson is adapted from Lesson 131 (page 75) of Gordon A. Southworth and F. B. Goddard, First Lessons in Language. Boston: Leach, Shewell, and Sanborn, 1891.

Goals:  To use research materials to locate information and to incorporate that information into a coherent paragraph.

Materials:

• Pioneer Sholes School internet site
• Pioneer Sholes School grounds and building
• List of building and grounds features provided below

Procedures:

• Before visiting Pioneer Sholes School, brainstorm questions about the building, site and historic context. List these in writing on chalkboard and have children copy for future reference.
• Before visiting Pioneer Sholes School, log onto the website (SholesSchool.org). Have students locate answers to questions formulated earlier during the brainstorming session.
• On the day of the visit to Pioneer Sholes School discuss:
  • The fence around the school yard
  • The locations of the privies
  • The cupola and bell
  • The cloak room and its furnishings
  • The two entrances to the classroom
  • The desks and the reasons for their arrangement
  • The stove and its use
  • The slates and slate pencils
  • The dunce stool
  • The textbooks
• Assign scholars to write a one paragraph description of either the interior or exterior of Pioneer Sholes School in their copybooks. Specify that the paragraph must be at least five sentences in length.

Evaluation and Recitation:  When finished, ask several scholars to stand and read the paragraph aloud. Check for correct English mechanics, especially sentence structure.

(Joanne Thompson of St. Charles also contributed to this lesson.)

Illinois Learning Standards 4.B.1b, 4.B.2a & b, 5.A.2A, 5.C.2a, 16.E.3b,c

Continue to the geography lesson.
Return to the Introduction.