In Social Studies, students are learning about communities and Mendham history. We will be exploring how key people and events have contributed to the development of American heritage. Through research and the exploration of cultural universals, students will begin to realize the availability of resources, the changing environment, and how innovation impacts everyday life. Students will develop a deeper understanding of how the past connects to the present. Third graders also went on two field trips this month to further their knowledge within this unit. We spent a day at Cooper Mill and went on a historic walk in Mendham.
Third graders traveled back in time to the 1880s on their field trip to the Cooper Gristmill. Students had the opportunity to experience life in Milltown, which is present day Chester Township, by sawing wood, doing laundry, mending clothes, and visiting the general store. They learned how the Black River powered the Cooper Gristmill and how the mill was used to grind wheat and corn. Students left the trip with an appreciation for modern technology!
There is so much history in our little town of Mendham! To connect our Social Studies unit to our real lives, the 3rd Grade classes got to walk around Mendham to explore and learn about Mendham’s great history. Students learned about important people who played a large role in the community. They even got to see and learn about the different houses and buildings of those individuals as well as prominent businesses back in the day. The students ended the day visiting the bank of the “famous” bank robbery that took place in the mid-1900s. All ages enjoy this walk every year, learning something they had never known before!
