FIELD TRIP TOPICS

Activities for school age students were designed in partnership with the local schools and area educators. The topics explored on site address state learning standards: social studies, language arts, math, science and fine arts. These standards are incorporated into the concepts introduced per grade level. Our emphasis is on experiential learning using hands on demonstrations during a scheduled field trip.

Educational resource trunks are available to assist teachers and students with background information prior to their visit to the Stephenson House. These trunks contain teachers' guides, lesson plans, artifacts, books, maps, DVDs, and suggested classroom activities to use before, during, and after visits to the house. Resource trunks are available for use for students in grades 2 through 5. Trunks are delivered to the school after an appointment for a field trip is made. It is suggested that teachers make an appointment for a field trip four weeks prior to their intended visit.

Trunk Trunk Trunk Trunk Trunk
Gr.2 Gr.3 Gr. 4 Gr. 5 Gr.6-12

What type of clothing did children wear in 1820?
What games did they play?
Where did children sleep?
What were the chores that children performed?
Who was food prepared?
What types of plants were grown in the garden?
Photos


Illinois State Learning Standards 1. C.1a, 12. A.1b, 12. C.1b, 12. E.1b, 13. A. 1c, 15. A.1a, 15.C. 1a, 16. Ac, 16.A.d, 16. E, 17. C.1a, 17. D 1, 18. B.1a, 18. C. 1 (hyperlink to State of Il. Standards www.isbe.state.il.us)

How did weather affect daily life?
Do you know your weather lore and proverbs? Photos
What games did children play in 1820?
What were the roles of the servant children and the Stephenson children?
How was symmetry used in Federal architecture?
How well are your skills with quill writing? Link

Illinois State Learning Standards 4., 12. B.1a, 12. E.1b, 13. A.1c, 13. A.2c, 14. D.1, 16.

How did the War of 1812 affect the Illinois Territory? Photos
What was the Illinois militia?
What role did Col. Benjamin Stephenson play in the Illinois militia?
Why was surveying the land so important?
What food was needed for cooking and baking, and what recipes were used?
What crafts were practiced in the 1820s?

Illinois Learning Standards 16. A., 16. E.c, 16. D.2w, 16. D.2b,16. B. 2d, 16. D. 2b, 16. E.2c, 26. A. 2f, 26. B.2d, 27. A.2a, 27. A.2b, 27 B.2 Link

How does archeology assist the work of restoration?
What is the process used by archeologists to document objects found on site?
What is an indentured servant?
What contribution to the Stephenson House was made by the indentured servants?
What crafts did the indentured servants bring to the Stephenson House in 1820? Link

Illinois State Learning Standards: 14. D.2, 16.A.2a, 16. C. 2a, 16. D. 2b, 17. C.2b, 1. C.2a, 3. C.2b, 5. C.2a, 5. C.2b, 7. B.2a, 7. C.2a, 13. A.2b, 13. A.2c, 26. A.2f, 26. B.2d, 27. B.2

Teachers are encouraged to contact the Director at 618-692-1818 to discuss teaching and learning concepts that would be of importance to the needs of their specific grade level. The coordinator, with the teacher, can customize a tour or field trip for their grade level and curricular needs. Link

Suggested teaching and learning concepts can be drawn from the following :

History photos

The Stephenson family came to Edwardsville in 1816, just when the territory of Illinois was moving toward statehood. Benjamin Stephenson played an important role in many national, state and local issues of the time. Statehood, the Illinois militia, heading the Federal Land Office in Edwardsville, treaties with Indians, and opening the first Bank are just of few of the topics explored on tours for the secondary learner.

Humanities

Tours or field trips can be scheduled around aspects of daily life of the Stephenson family and the family of indentured servants who lived and worked at the Stephenson House. Here, students can experience the customs of the day from two different views- one from a prosperous business and political figure and his family, and the other from the perspective of a family indentured to Benjamin Stephenson as slaves. Education, work, civic responsibilities, religious practices, cultural opportunities, marriage, death, and social events are explored. Photos

Fine Arts

Students will have an opportunity to see demonstrations of the crafts used by the people of the day. Cooking, baking, basketry, pottery, sewing, leather crafts, and candle dipping are just a few of the crafts that are demonstrated by the docents. Demonstrations and discussions of music of the day and types of instruments played can be shared and discussed. Photos

Archeology

Students will learn the steps used by archeologists to locate and document artifacts for restoration purposes. Students can actually dig in an area, then locate and document their findings. This process of investigation and research is valuable in understanding the objects used by people at any given period of time.

Illinois State Learning Standards are addressed with each field trip or group tour depending on grade level and concepts explored.

.