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Central Elementary's fifth and sixth grade students brought the Civil War to life with a dramatization of the Battle of Gettysburg May 20-22.
Fifth grade teacher Mark Hays dressed as Ulysses S. Grant for the Union and lead his troops in a three-day war experience against the Confederates who were lead by the other two fifth grade teachers, Julie van Dijk and Janet Mangum. All were in full uniform with planned war strategies of historical significance firing off their marshmallow weaponry and realistic toy cannons.
"I want them to know that the past was real," Hays said. "There really were people who made difficult choices like going against a king or the way things were and gave up their lives, their families and their opportunities to make America better. America is not a finished thing. Each generation makes it better or worse. Reenacting the Battle of Gettysburg invites other learning experiences in a hands-on way so that it is much more memorable."
"It makes it real for them and brings it to life for them," said Mangum as she pointed out the school field which had turned into the city of Gettysburg overnight with marked posts like Seminary Ridge, Cemetery Hill, City of Gettysburg and McPherson's Ridge.
The students said they learned a lot from the experience.
"If we learn about history, if we do it instead of reading it, it will stay with us more in our minds so when we are older we can remember what it was like to get in uniform and reenact what they did and feel like they did," said Josh Compton.
"Thinking how men gave up their lives and how they fought for slavery and just like all the speeches like Abe Lincoln gave makes me think about all the tons of information they gave," Payton Henry said.
Some told about their assigned responsibilities.
Student Austin Butler said, "I'm a camp inspector with Squad 1 Company A. I get to check people's desks in class to make sure they're clean." Captain Jacob Hunter, "I'm a captain for the Confederates in Squad 1 Company A and I lead my army by giving orders and if they're doing something wrong, I would instruct them how to do it right."
Hays told the students about the composition of the troops.
"There were 400 women who disguised themselves and got in on the battle," said Hays.
The female students in the class made their own comments about their assignments.
Sarah Finney said, "I inspect the weapons to make sure they're OK to go out to battle. I check the cartridges box to check the ammunition. Our ammunition is marshmallows."
Cierra West said, "If I were a soldier back then, I would be kind of excited and scared if they, my loved ones were to die."
Sadie Anderson agreed.
"It's kind of scary because if you were actually in that war and hearing bombs go off and you see the shattered pieces go into people, it kind of scares you that you could be next or die from a disease because of the conditions," she said.
Jaden Ortiz told about the effects of war.
"The Anaconda Plan, to stop the blockade of the Mississippi River and to blockade the ports to keep England from coming in to the war," he said.
Jason Golling added, "This meant that there would be less food, less money, prices would have gone up and basically all the civilians would starve and run out of money, much like we're facing in today's war."
The parents said their children looked forward to participating in the traditional event.
"It's been a tradition at this school for some time so that ever since the students were in kindergarten, they have looked forward to doing this for their school," said Shauna DeBuck, who narrated the event. "My son, Cameron, was so excited to participate in it, when he was in third grade; he had to dress up as the Union General in full costume attire for Halloween that year. Now, in fifth grade he can finally march on the field. He's on the Confederate's side, a rebel through and through. I volunteered to narrate it this year so that I could learn more about it." |
