MCS 4th Grade 2014-2015: Appaloosa Horse Museum- Nez Perce People and the Adaptation of the Appaloosa- Art, Science, and Social Studies, Dec. 16, 2014

Thursday, January 1, 2015

Appaloosa Horse Museum- Nez Perce People and the Adaptation of the Appaloosa- Art, Science, and Social Studies, Dec. 16, 2014

Now, they are 'old hands' at riding the public transportation system; and, Gene, one of the helpful and friendly bus drivers, loves this class and calls them the 'best behaved group of kids that ride!" Again, we had parents meet us at the AHM at 10:00. Thank you parents for coming. The kids love sharing their learning with you.

We were met by Crystal, a Nez Perce tribal member and Museum Director and Reba, the Youth Outreach Educator. Each partner group was part of a larger group of 11 and participated in 2 different lessons. The the groups switched and were taught the other lesson.

Crystal took the kids through the culture of the 'parfleche' and the horse. These 'suitcases' of all different sizes were essential to carrying and moving personal goods and food stuff. Crystal talked about the importance of how these items were used and would be identified by members of the tribe. The kids created their own and when we returned to class, each spoke about how they decorated their parfleche to reflect what was important to them- unique identification. This group also studies the appaloosa's traits that Crystal discussed to reveal how the Nez Perce were masterful at breeding for more than 250 years.

Alexa took the other group through the museum describing artifacts, dates of importance, noting that the settlers of the area, and fielded numerous questions. The kids were taken with the baby boards because it allowed the mothers to work and provide hands' free care. There was also a beautiful headdress that Alexa explained that captured their imaginations. The solemn moments thinking about how Chief Joseph made decisions and how the people traveled and fought for freedom was thought about carefully.

The museum has changed since my last visit- being updated and organized to present information in interesting displays with lots of good information on cards within the cabinets. There is just so much and then there's all the items from the Appaloosa Horse Club too. It is remarkable that the visit is free and so was the trip on bus over. All I can every say again is WOW!, we live in great community!!

Items donated by the Hatley family about homesteading and ranching

Crystal explains the 3 main traits of the 'Appaloosa'.

Clipboards have a graphic organizer for taking down one artifact they collected facts on and for a drawing of it. The saddles were good for providing conversation about design/engineering and the classic feeling of riding a horse.