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Hidden in Plain Sight – a cemetery field trip7th Grade Texas History TEKS:(1) History: The student understands traditional historical points of reference in Texas history.(A) identify the major eras in Texas history, describe their defining characteristics, and explain why historians divide the past into eras including … Revolution and Republic; Early Statehood …(B) apply absolute and relative chronology through the sequencing of significant individuals, events, and time periods; and(C) explain the significance of the following dates: … 1836, Texas independence; 1845, annexation …PURPOSE: Students will apply prior classroom learning to discover three facts recorded on local cemetery headstones that show a relationship between local individuals and historic individuals from the same era.1. Birth and death dates show the historical era in which the individuals lived2. Symbols embedded in the markers indicate the interests, military service, marriage dates, and other facts about the individual3. Other family members buried nearby indicate the number of generations who contributed to the quality of life in the local communityPROCESS: Classroom teacher may contact members of the county historical commission to request assistance in preparing for the field trip. (See attached guide sheet)RESOURCES: * Required forms: bus request, signed student permission slips, attendance clerk’s list of students approved for the field trip* Cemetery etiquette guidelines, marker rubbing materials (paper, crayons, tape), printed pictures of selected headstones (the older, the better), mobile device for recording images of students at work on their rubbings, poster materials for culminating project* Optional: parents provide old-fashioned tea cake cookies and a cooler with iced water and cups to simulate pioneer atmosphereTIMELINE: * 4 weeks before (or more according to local guidelines) – obtain administrative permission, place event on appropriate school calendar, order bus* 4 weeks before – contact local historical commission to request assistance in preparing for the event (pictures, paper, crayons, tape, on-site participation as docents, obtaining cemetery permission if necessary)* 2 weeks before – Contact a few parents to request support with cookies and water to create old-fashioned atmosphere* 1 week before – Obtain signed student permission slips, prepare attendance clerk’s list* 1 week before – Arrange for poster-making materials* 1 week before – Reconfirm arrangements with historical commission members * 1 day before – Remind students if dress code is importantEVALUATION:* Students will follow cemetery etiquette* Students will present their posters to classmates relating local individuals to historical figures from their recent studies* Students will discuss their expectations for the field trip as compared to the actual event. (Surprises? Questions before? New questions?)Hidden in Plain SightLinking what was to what is and to what will be.Materials:4”x6” pictures of headstones (1 for each student)Paper and crayons for rubbing, masking tape to secure paper to headstoneCemetery etiquette outline for teachers to shareTeacher’s mobile device for gathering pictures of each student rubbing a headstoneProcess:Teacher reviews cemetery etiquetteTCHC member demonstrates how rubbing is doneStudents work in pairs to locate the headstones that match their pictures and produce rubbings of the symbols on the stonesLater, in the classroom, students prepare a poster that includes their rubbinga picture of themselves producing the rubbinga description of the symbol and its meaninga paragraph telling how knowing about the symbol might influence their future decisionsNOTE: This field trip could be made into an interdisciplinary project.Language Arts teacher could oversee and grade the writing portion of the poster.Science teacher might provide background on the geology related to headstone & foot marker materials (granite, marble, brass).Math teacher could encourage students to study the measurement and geometry principles involved in a cemetery layout.Cemetery EtiquetteWhen visiting cemeteries remember to respect the living and the dead. Below you will find some of the basic rules regarding cemetery etiquette. These should help you not only keep out of trouble, but have a much more enjoyable experience.1. Follow cemetery rules. Most have a sign posted near the entrance. Please follow these rules and observe floral regulations. If no rules are posted, this list of cemetery etiquette is fairly universal set of rules to follow.2. Most cemeteries are open from dawn until dusk. Try not to remain in the cemetery after dark.3. Follow the roadways and drive slowly, remain off the grass. Watch out for people who may not be paying attention. If the lane is narrow and another car approaches, offer to move your car until they can get through.4. If you bring children, keep them nearby and don’t let them play on any of the monuments. This is not only disrespectful, but may cause damage to the stone. Teach them to have respect in any cemetery. No running, yelling, rolling around on the ground, a cemetery is not a playground and should not be treated as such.5. Remember to be respectful by keeping voices down. Don’t use bad language, there may be other people there who are in mourning. As a general rule it is best not to approach strangers as they may want to be alone in peace, of course it is perfectly acceptable to offer help to anyone who seems in need of it. Don’t use your cell phone, voices tend to carry in open spaces. Turn off your car stereo while driving or parking in the cemetery.6. Don’t touch any monuments or gravestones, unless you have permission to do restoration work. Some older memorials fall apart under the slightest touch. NEVER remove anything from a gravestone, like flowers, coins, stones and other artifacts that have been left by family.7. If a funeral is occurring, consider making another visit at another time NEVER get in the way of funeral processions. It is in extremely bad taste to take pictures of strangers at a funeral. These are people who should be left alone at their time of grief. Unless you are specifically invited to join them, respect them and their privacy.8. Don’t leave any trash behind in a cemetery. Litter shows disrespect to others who come to visit the cemetery, as well as the caretakers. If you find litter please be helpful and remove it, however if the cemetery is trashed or vandalized try to find out who is responsible for its upkeep before cleaning all of the cemetery. Most caretakers would be happy if you can volunteer to help. It may also be a recurring event in which the caretakers should be told in case there is or will be a police investigation into the matter, so use caution and common sense before you alter the scene in any way.9. If it’s not against the rules and you bring your pet make sure to keep them on a leash and clean up after them.Report fresh incidents of vandalism or theft to the police and caretaker. It’s sad but true that people come to vandalize cemeteries. ................
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