Exploring the lessons of Lewis and Clark

Though they aren't certain about all the specifics of Lewis and Clark's journey west, the students at St. Mary Cathedral School know it took them plenty of steps to get to their destination.

As part of a school-wide lesson on Lewis and Clark's exploration, the students are trying to walk as many miles as the explorers. Using pedometers to keep track of how many steps they take, the students are hoping to walk hundreds of miles. They're tracking their progress on a giant U.S. map that hangs outside the gymnasium entrance.

Using math skills like averages and medians, the older students are keeping track of the mileage walked. All the students wear the pedometers during their weekly physical education class and have to keep up a brisk pace as they walk.

"Last week we took as many steps as it would take to get from St. Louis to here," said Allyson Bradshaw, a fifth-grader.

Teachers are using simple lessons in math, area history and geography as well as social studies to teach students about Lewis and Clark. Cape Girardeau is preparing for a re-enactment weekend later in November as part of the nation's bicentennial celebration of Lewis and Clark's journey west.

Teacher Monica Johnson hopes that a day focused on Lewis and Clark's contributions will encourage the students to learn more and to see the re-enactment.

Johnson, who teaches social studies and science and P.E. at St. Mary, helped organize a "Lewis and Clark Day" Wednesday for the school. "It's a big piece of history for us," she said.

Students spent the day learning more about regional and Missouri history with a visit to the Red House Interpretive Center, pioneer crafts and a presentation from area re-enactors.

Linda Royce, a re-enactor with the Red House, helped students make rag dolls out of material scraps while students across the room made fans using wallpaper scraps and sachets filled with potpourri. All were items that pioneer children would have used or played with.

Eight-year-old Taylor Huff stuffed all her goodies into a cloth bag she'd decorated and then tied it shut with a piece of twine.

Re-enactor Roger McMurry talked to students about what Lewis and Clark might have carried with them. He displayed items like a horn, bell harp and rimmed eyeglasses from a satchel slung over his shoulder.

Most of the lesson had the younger students captivated and perhaps confused. To help them understand the significance of what Lewis and Clark had to carry, teacher Tom Howard talked to them about backpacks. What the explorers carried -- and what they needed every day -- had to fit into their backpacks or satchels, he said.

Johnson, dressed as Sacagewea, also talked to students about how Lewis and Clark might have chosen their crew of explorers. "We talked about if they were going, who might go with them. You couldn't just take your friend if they weren't going to help you on the trail. You needed people who were hunters and who knew carpentry to build and repair the boats. We also talked about the Indians they would have met."

Having activities at the school and events related to the lessons they'd already been taught helped the students understand the importance of Lewis and Clark's journey, Johnson said.

"We talked about who Lorimier was and why Lewis and Clark stopped here." Without their exploration, America wouldn't be the nation it is today, she said.

ljohnston@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 126