Danielle Glidden’s fourth grade class at the Jefferson Village School recently visited the State House in Augusta where they were welcomed in part by their state representative, Rep. Wayne Farrin, D-Jefferson. The field trip was a part of a larger effort to teach the students about history through hands-on activities. (Photo courtesy Danielle Glidden)
Danielle Glidden’s fourth grade class made their way from the Jefferson Village School to Augusta on Thursday, March 26, visiting the Maine State House as a part of a larger effort to learn about local history through hands-on learning.
Glidden said the field trip was organized in an effort to teach her students more about how decisions in the state are made and how those decisions affect their own town and school. While there, students were able to see live action voting and got to meet state Sen. Cameron Reny, D-Bristol, and Rep. Wayne Farrin, D-Jefferson.
“We’re just trying to make history come alive for them,” Glidden said.
When they are not taking trips to Maine’s capital, Glidden and her students are working with the Jefferson Historical Society. In March, members from the organization visited the school to help the students answer the question: How does our town make decisions, and who helps them make them?
After looking at primary sources, old pictures, and historical timelines, Glidden said students were able to discover the roots of not only their school but Jefferson as well.
Primary sources included arrowheads, and some of the photos showed the very first school in Jefferson: the Trask School, founded in 1809.
Through activities like this, Glidden said her students were able to see how school life has changed over the centuries, as well as what has stayed the same.
Students also had the opportunity to visit the historical society’s building, located at 7 Gardiner Road.
The idea for this collaboration came from watching other historical societies “bring history alive” for students in other towns, such as Bristol. Glidden said. Glidden’s mother, who is a member of the Palermo Historical Society, had been going into schools for similar partnerships for years.
“I was like, why am I not doing that?” Glidden said.
When her students aren’t working on social studies projects, they are exploring STEM-related questions at Hidden Valley Nature Center and the Coastal Conservancy. During the colder weather, Glidden and her students have been exploring topics such as winter ecology and have been observing forest changes throughout the area.
Glidden said if someone were to ask one of her students what their favorite activity was, they would probably refer to any experience that was held outdoors. Even when it is cold, she added.
At Coastal Rivers, students are able work with seeds and learn about local harvest.
“We are really busy here in fourth grade,” Glidden said.
In the upcoming months, there are more adventures scheduled for Glidden’s students. They are set to go on another visit to the Jefferson Historical Society, as well as another field trip to the Jefferson Cattle Pound.
“This opportunity here, with the science, with Jefferson Historical Society, and ultimately going to the state house just really connects everything and is so much more meaningful for kids,” said JVS Principal Janet Delmar. “I think they really internalize it, they remember it.”
