Hands-on Lewis and Clark kit in schools

Had Kailey Spinks been a part of Lewis and Clark's expedition west in 1804, the first two things she would have packed for the trip are her pink teddy bear named Snuggles and a copy of "Green Eggs and Ham."

The 9-year-old has been hearing about America's two great explorers since first grade, but a grant through the Missouri Department of Conservation is breathing life into the Corps of Discovery for Spinks and other fourth-graders at Alma Schrader Elementary.

The school was one of several in Missouri chosen to receive a conservation education resource trunk filled with $750 worth of Lewis and Clark teaching tools, including animal pelts, books, quill pens, a powder horn, videos and a flint-and-steel fire kit.

As part of a Missouri history unit, Alma Schrader's three fourth-grade classes gather once a week in the school cafeteria for activities inspired by the contents on the trunk. They're in the second week of the five-week project using the Lewis and Clark trunk.

On Friday, students learned that Meriwether Lewis was easily upset and William Clark was outgoing, and that neither could spell very well.

The students were given the task of choosing three things they would have taken with them had they been part of the journey to the Pacific Ocean.

Ten-year-old Dustin Peetz promptly wrote down "laptop" at the top of his supply list but hastily erased it when he realized there was no electricity 200 years ago.

"It would have been really handy to have," Dustin said. He settled on taking a book instead.

Teacher Janet Heady said the lessons are tied into state tests the students will take in April.

"Their interest level is so high now," Heady said. "I've had a parent tell me she has to answer all of these questions about Lewis and Clark every night."

Two fourth-grade classes at Oran Elementary also received a resource trunk through the grant program.

Kristina Roslen, one of the Oran teachers involved, said her fourth-graders will be doing activities similar to those happening now at Alma Schrader.

"It's great for them to see and feel these things that were used during the expedition," Roslen said. "The kids are very excited."

cclark@semissourian.com

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