Fun, Learning Mark End of School

Many Programs Take Students Beyond County's Classrooms

By Arianne Aryanpur (Contact)

Saturday, June 14, 2008

About two dozen students gathered in a wooded area at Morven Park in Leesburg on Friday, listening to historical reenactors describe what life was like as a Confederate soldier during the Civil War.

To understand the harsh conditions in which the soldiers lived, the students packed into a replica hut, furnished with only four bunks, a fireplace and a table.

The session at Morven Park was part of a three-day program for sixth-graders from Smart's Mill Middle School in Leesburg designed to teach students about life during the Civil War.

Over the course of the day, historical reenactors led about 300 11- and 12-year-olds through a dozen interactive sessions, where they had the opportunity to read slave letters, learn about medicine, artillery and photography during the Civil War. Tomorrow and Tuesday, the students will return to Smart's Mill, where they will practice infantry drills, blockade running and watch the film "Gettysburg."

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Students Learn About Life During the Civil War

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Students from Smart's Mill Middle School learn about life during the Civil War at Morven Park in Leesburg. Reenactor C.W. Piggott of the 16th Mississippi was a instructor at the park. (Joel Richardson / The Washington Post)

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With Civil War-era medical instruments on the table, students listen to how soldiers were treated during the war. (Joel Richardson / The Washington Post)

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Kenyada Holland and fellow students hold their ears as a musket is fired. (Joel Richardson / The Washington Post)

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A Civil War reenactor from the 16th Mississippi, Doug Smith fires off his musket as kids hold their ears. (Joel Richardson / The Washington Post)

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Humaira Uddin holds her ears as a Civil War reenactor shoots a musket. (Joel Richardson / The Washington Post)

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Students learn musket training at the 16th Mississippi encampment. (Joel Richardson / The Washington Post)

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C.W. Piggott lead his squad to the encampment of the 16th Mississippi. (Joel Richardson / The Washington Post)

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Alex Perinis shows Emily Welton how soldiers would brace muskets on their shoulders to help aim. (Joel Richardson / The Washington Post)

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Students learn how to make ranks and march from Alex Perinis, at right. (Joel Richardson / The Washington Post)

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The program, which Smart's Mill teachers started last year, culminates a year of learning and incorporates lessons in math, science, social studies, art and English, said history teacher Mona McClanahan.

"We wanted it to be a mix of instruction and fun. We wanted the students to realize that instruction continued after the [Standards of Learning] tests," said McClanahan, who worked with Morven Park officials to create the program.

Throughout Loudoun, students are participating in similar end-of-the-year activities that combine fun with education.

Last week, 22 Advanced Placement government students from Potomac Falls High School in Sterling visited Washington, where they toured the Department of the Interior and spoke with Vice President Cheney about his political career and the upcoming election.

On Friday, fifth-graders at Sanders Corner Elementary School in Ashburn hosted a "state fair" for students and parents, culminating their study of the 50 states. And fifth- graders at Hillside Elementary School in Ashburn, who have been studying architecture for weeks, are spending the last few days of school creating model buildings from surplus paper products with help from two architects.

For students at Smart's Mill, Friday's program was an opportunity to bring classroom lessons about the Civil War to life. "The kids don't realize how close it is to their backyard and how much it has influenced our lives today," said Diane Martorana, a teacher who led a group of 23 students through nine sessions throughout the day. "We're just trying to make them aware of it."

During the half-hour Confederate show-and-tell, Doug Smith, a historical interpreter with 5th Virginia, a reenactment group, showed students an 1860s toothbrush made of pig bristle, toothpaste made from baking soda and a blade for shaving. He pulled out a heavy pack full of provisions and told students to imagine carrying 40 pounds on their back.

"How would you like to march with this for 35 miles?" he asked, holding up the pack.

Soldiers often carried photos of loved ones, he said, showing them a picture of a woman from the 1860s.

When it came time for a demonstration, Smith pulled an authentic musket off his shoulders, ripped off the paper end of a cartridge and rammed it into the musket barrel. He walked over to a wooded area in the park and told the students to cover their ears. In one swift motion, he fired into the trees.

Amanda Waldron, a sixth-grader who wore a period-style dress for the day, said the Confederate show-and-tell was her favorite activity.

"I've actually learned a lot about the muskets and everything," said Amanda, 12. "Seeing this makes me feel like I'm back in time."

Tagged: education

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