Wednesday, May 28, 2008

Madison Buffalo Jump Fieldtrip

It was a beautiful day for an "all school field trip."
Actually, it wasn't quite all school because only the first through sixth graders went, but it sure was fun! We went to Madison Buffalo Jump State Park, about 45 minutes away from the school. The buffalo jump is where the Blackfeet Indians would run herds of buffalo off of cliffs to their death, and then the Indians would harvest the meat, skins, bones, etc. for food, clothing and shelter. It is an area with lots of history, and quite a bit of beauty!


This is the group I got to hang out with for the scavenger hunt activity. Notice, it did not include my son. At first I was disappointed, but then I realized that was probably a good decision. None of the parents had their own children in their group - at least none that I noticed. You can sort of see behind them the cliffs where the buffalo were run to their death.


Here are all the kids who went! Don't they look like they are having a good time!

Can you find Jansse in this photo?

Jansse did work hard on the art project they did. He was building a tepee, but first he had to decorate the skin for it. He hates to color, so true to form, his was minimalist in it's decoration.

The teachers had this beautiful buffalo skin and skull to show the children!
They also had a great book to read to the children that was inspired by the very place we were visiting. All of the children got to touch the skin and the skull, and were thrilled for the chance to do that.

The teacher holding the skull will be Jansse's third grade teacher next year. We are very excited to have her! I cannot tell you how blessed with good, no GREAT, teachers we have been at Petra. They are all wonderful. This years teacher taught Jansse so much, and is just the sweetest lady. It was her first year, and I can see that she has a tremendous teaching career in front of her!

Tomorrow is the last day of classes, and then Friday is the school picnic. Then, it is summer!

Hopefully the weather will realize how excited about summer we are and begin to act like it is time for warm sunny days!

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