Daniel Island School third grade teacher Wendy Smith with students.The History in a Trunk items were a big hit!Students in Tina McDonald's third grade class at Philip Simmons Elementary School are excited to tackle social studies lessons with items from their new DIHS History in a Trunk.

‘History in a Trunk’ project excites local third graders

“Cool!”  “Awesome!”  “Epic!” What has these third graders at Philip Simmons Elementary School so excited?

They’re talking about “History in a Trunk,” the latest project from the Daniel Island Historical Society.

And the children’s enthusiasm is shared by their teacher, Tina McDonald. “Wow! I was so excited to receive the items for my Social Studies class,” said McDonald. “I have already used some of the items to enhance my instruction. I truly appreciate the generosity. Thank you!”

Cainhoy Elementary School third grade teacher Tori Huerth and her students are just as enthusiastic. “They were so excited to share with their classmates the contents that they were given, grinning ear to ear the whole time,” she noted. “I know that they cannot wait to use the materials in our Social Studies lessons.”

Wendy Smith of Daniel Island School says her students were also thrilled.  “When the trunk arrived and its contents were explored, there wasn't a student in the room without their hand in the air in hopes of being selected to hold and show one of the artifacts,” said Smith. “As teachers, we are thrilled as well.  Being able to supplement text and stories with tangible artifacts is truly a valuable part of learning.  We can't thank the DI Historical Society enough for sharing their passion with our students.”

The trunks were delivered to third grade classrooms at Philip Simmons Elementary, Daniel Island School and Cainhoy Elementary by DIHS Community Outreach Director Lee Ann Bain.

“We decided to do this program because when kids are more involved, they retain the information better that they are studying and are excited to learn,” said Bain. “When they can put their hands on history it makes it real for them. Not just some words or pictures in a book. It's like a field trip without leaving the class.”

Bain says South Carolina history is studied in both third and eighth grades and that DIHS is working on a similar project for the eighth grade social studies classes. The trunks are a treasure trove for eager young minds containing a long list of items from basket making supplies to Blackbeard’s flag. There are also both Native American and Colonial costumes in appropriate children’s sizes.  In addition, the trunks contain a Moultrie flag; a Native American “talking feather;” a copy of the Emancipation Proclamation; samples of indigo, rice and cotton; a quill pen and ink; a spy decoder, a replica of The Hunley, and more.  

Daniel Island Historical Society President Bill Thielfoldt says “This program is consistent with our mission, which is to preserve and promote Daniel Island’s rich and unique history for the benefit of the community by sharing the island’s ‘story’ with both visitors and residents.”

Sponsors of the DIHS trunk project include The Hunley, The Powder Magazine, The Preservation Society, Lowcountry Sketches, Sweetgrass Cultural Arts Festival Association, Middleton Place, and Seaside Indigo. For additional information on DIHS, visit the organization’s website at www.dihistoricalsociety.com.

 

Daniel Island Publishing

225 Seven Farms Drive
Unit 108
Daniel Island, SC 29492 

Office Number: 843-856-1999
Fax Number: 843-856-8555

 

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