Pioneer Videos

Song 1

Song 2

Song 3

                        PIONEER DAY!

The 2nd grade pioneers finally arrived in Oregon 

after a 2,000 mile journey across prairies, rivers, and mountains. 

They documented their experiences in their pioneer journals.

Along the way they also made pioneer dolls.

Pioneer families enjoyed a picnic lunch together.

   

Hello From Science- Getting Ready for Spring!

Hello From the Science Center,

  To prepare for the coming spring, 2nd graders have planted their milkweed seeds! As you may know, milkweed is an essential plant to many pollinators. It is especially important to the fabulous Monarch. While not terribly difficult to grow, milkweed seeds do require a process know as stratification.  Basically, the seeds need to go through winter! This process involves setting seeds in a cold place in a damp media for an extended period of time. In nature this occurs when seeds are buried during the winter months. This process can be mimicked indoors to protect the seeds from hungry birds and to allow observation of the new growth.  Last October the class of 2029 set a slate of seeds to be stratified in the refrigerator in the science center and our results are paying off. The class of 2029 and 2028 have planted these stratified seeds and some are already starting to sprout! With care and attention we should have quite a few home grown plants to add out butterfly garden in a month or so!

 Enjoy this photo of the milkweed growth!
-Mr. Robinson

                    THE OREGON TRAIL 

                         ~Making Butter~

While the brave pioneers made their way through mountains, forests, and plains along the Oregon Trail, they also managed to make butter along the way. Each morning creamy milk was poured into covered buckets that were hung under the wagon. The constant bumping of the wagon churned it and when they stopped for the night, they poured off the buttermilk and enjoyed the fresh butter with their evening meal. Second graders were delighted when they were able to do the same by shaking a mason jar filled with heavy cream. They passed it to each other until, finally, the girls were able to see the result of their labor:  delicious, creamy butter!