To help teachers obtain needed continuing education credits and at the same time educate them on area history and heritage, the Montana State University Extension Services will offer a two day teacher training workshop in Sidney that will explore pioneer life, agriculture as it was a century ago, and what farm children learned in school. Participating offices include Culbertson, Scobey, and Sidney.
"Teachers need to accumulate credits over a period of time, and this workshop is a way of doing this," says Tim Fine, Richland County extension agent. "The Culbertson and Scobey extension offices started offering continuing education programs for teachers, and they were well received. This year they've asked Richland County to be a part of it."
He continues, "This year the focus will be on history in the classroom, and bringing that history to the classroom. The idea came about because Scobey celebrates its centennial this year so we are integrating what schools used to consist of and the trials the pioneers faced."
Scheduled for the 12th and 13th of June in Sidney, participants will learn a lot about the area's agricultural roots. "The first day we will spend the morning focusing on a typical pioneer school day," Fine says. "We will have lesson plans from the pioneer school curriculum, its emphasis on the 3 Rs, and how teachers accomplished this task with no technology to help them."
During the afternoon of the 12th, participants will explore aspects of agriculture as the pioneers handled it. "We'll discuss meadow grasslands and how the settlers used them, and how they used native plants for different purposes," Fine remarks. "We will talk about sod busting and how it was done, and we may try to build a replica of a sod house."
During the first day's session, Richland County extension agent Judy Johnson will also discuss what settlers ate, a typical meal, and what school children brought to school to eat for lunch.
The second day, June 13, topics will include philanthropy and how every person plays a role in the community. This lesson will be taught through quilting, and how each piece comes together to make a complete product.
"You need all the pieces for a finished quilt," Fine comments.
Fine believes this seminar will prove interesting to those who attend. "This is a unique way for teachers to get credits," Fine says. "They can incorporate this information into the classroom to teach local history and heritage."
The class will be limited to fifty participants, so interested people need to contact their local county agent for more details and to register. "This is the first time we've done this in Sidney," Fine concludes. "Any teacher in the area can attend this seminar."
The two day session may also qualify participants for a graduate credit as well. Contact your local county agent for more information.
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