FCS Second Graders Take a Hike Through Native American History
Along the banks of the Chattahoochee in Roswell, GA., students are surrounded by the sites, smells and sounds of nature. Fulton County Schools (FCS) has been working in partnership with the Chattahoochee Nature Center (CNC) to bring an immersive learning experience to second grade students that aligns with Georgia Standards of Excellence.
Beyond Kaleidoscope: The Cherokee and Muskogee takes elementary schools on a journey through native American life, centuries before the Trail of Tears in 1838. Interactive lessons teach how the Cherokee and Muskogee communities used native plants, animals and the waterway for food, clothing, shelter, medicine and transportation. Engaging guides direct hands-on activities. Cracking acorns, touching animal skins and learning the use of Muskogee and Cherokee tribal tools are just a few of the experiences.
One second grader was excited to discover the Indians hollowed out Georgia trees to build canoes for travel down river, and the tree bark was used to make medicine.
“At the Chattahoochee Nature Center, we believe in the power of experiential learning,” explains CNC President/CEO Natasha Rice. “Through the Cherokee and Muskogee program, students not only learn history but also gain a deeper appreciation for the land and its resources.”
In a follow-up survey, a second-grade teacher shared how thrilling it was for the students to view wildlife up close and explore the nature trails.
“The Teaching Museum has worked with the Chattahoochee Nature Center for years, hosting their engaging programs at the museum and in our schools,” said FCS Teaching Museum, Curator Jena Sibille, who supervises the program. “We are so pleased to have this opportunity to send students to the Nature Center to learn outdoors and be immersed in nature. It is a wonderful resource.”
The 2024-2025 program, sponsored by Fulton County Arts and Culture, Wells Fargo and Fulton County Schools, started in September and runs through February.