STUDENTS CELEBRATE HISTORICAL THANKSGIVING

Log toss: Students, in and out of costume, rolled logs in a traditional Indian contest, the log toss. Jackson USA Signal/Mark Evans

Music: Students also experienced native American musical instruments. Jackson USA Signal/Mark Evans

Computers: Although computers were not part of the first Thanksgiving, the new Internet technology at North Elementary allowed students to tap into several Thanksgiving web sites and take a virtual Thanksgiving tour. Jackson USA Signal/Mark Evans

FRUITLAND -- North Elementary students got to experience an authentic Pilgrim-era Thanksgiving Wednesday.

The idea of taking students back in time started last year when kindergarten teacher Mary Ziegler and first grade teacher Tina Sides arranged a day of historic Thanksgiving fun for their two classes. This year the party went school-wide.

"We had to do a run through first," Sides said. "The parents, grandparents and kids really enjoyed it. We like to get parents and grandparents in to see what we do."

Parents assisted in the activities Wednesday, as students learned to make butter and cornbread and learned several Indian games.

"We believe strongly in bringing parent into the school," Ziegler said. "It makes for better learning. I think our parents feel at home here, since they're here so often."

The school was set up in stations with an activity at each. Each one, though, was designed to help students improve skills.

"The games and activities had a basis in math, science and social studies," Sides said. "It's not just playing. They're having a good time learning."

Math skills included estimating, measuring, counting, charting and graphing. Language arts skills included reading, communicating and computer technology. Several Thanksgiving sites and a virtual tour were available on-lien in the computer lab.

American Indian games include pokein, the snake game, the pebble game and the log toss.

These are activities we believe may be authentic to the first Thanksgiving," Ziegler said.

At the end of the day a Thanksgiving feast was enjoyed by the participants.