Pioneer Living: A Journey Through Handcraft, Nature, and History
Step back in time with us as students explore the skills, stories, and creativity of early American life through hands-on projects, outdoor adventures, and artistic expression. This 8-week unit invites students to connect with the natural world and traditions of the past while building practical knowledge, creativity, and teamwork.
 
Week 1: Herbal Medicine
Students begin their journey by learning about the power of plants through herbal teas, salves, tinctures, and poultices. A hands-on herb matching game reinforces plant identification and uses.
 
Week 2: Native American Beadwork
This week, students explore the meaning of stones and the history of beadwork while crafting their own seed bead bracelets and DIY paper beads.
 
Week 3: Frontier Cooking
Students dive into traditional pioneer meals, preparing simple, hearty dishes like cornbread and beans while discussing food preservation and cooking methods on the trail.
 
Week 4: Lighting the Way: Lanterns
Through paper lanterns, tissue paper mason jar lights, and punched tin lanterns, students explore how early pioneers lit their way through the dark.
 
Week 5: Sourdough and Preserves
Hands-on kitchen science comes alive as students learn how sourdough works, make discard pancakes, and try their hand at jelly making.
 
Week 6: Foraging on the Trail
Students head outdoors to identify and learn about edible spring plants, deepening their connection to the land and understanding of survival skills.
 
Week 7: Pioneer Theater
Creativity takes center stage with readers theater, pioneer-themed Mad Libs, paper doll crafting, and dramatic play that brings pioneer stories to life.
 
Week 8: Nature Art
We close the unit with nature-inspired art, including natural paint, collages, mobiles, and silhouette shadow work that celebrates creativity and the beauty of the outdoors.