Life on the Prairie

Life on the Prairie

 

 

Emily

 

Emily, her beliefs so strong,

Knew to bully others, was wrong.

 

To schoolmates, she was always kind,

She wanted no friend, left behind.

 

 

 

 

 

Emily: the Kind Suffragette, won second place in the Heart of America Christian Writers Network 2014 Writing Contest in the Children’s Story Division

 

Please note this blog posts the first and third weeks of the month.

 



Prairie Girls

 

Emily

Hello, again. Many exciting things happened at Globe school. The Christmas program was one of my favorite events. I played Mary, the Mother of Jesus, in this year’s program. Billy, the bully, left school after his daddy was injured in a mining accident, but they both attended the Christmas program. I hoped he had learned the importance of treating others well, but he left before I could speak with him. Later, Mum said I could invite Billy and his daddy to our Christmas dinner.

Old-fashioned Discipline

It seems that the biggest discipline problem in schools today is the same problem endured since the beginning of time: bullying. There is something in the nature of children that causes them to make fun of each other. The difference today is the "bullied” may make the decision to retaliate. No longer does the student have to just take it.

When I attended school, bullying existed, but was more often outside of school rather than inside the building. Part of the reason was there was a deterrent keeping many on the straight and narrow path of behavior. If I got into trouble at school, I knew I was in trouble at home. There was also the risk of corporal punishment…the paddle.

I kept on the straight and narrow at school, so I had no experience with a paddle. The situation changed, however, when I became a teacher. Corporal punishment was still in existence when I began my career. It had a profound effect upon the entire school. In the old days if someone got swatted by a teacher, it took place outside the classroom in the hall. The halls were usually quiet during class, and the sound of the swat was heard on all three floors of the junior high where I taught. If the door was open everyone heard it; I could count on my classes being good the rest of the day.

Then laws changed, and there had to be witnesses to make sure teachers didn’t hurt the child. (Was that not the purpose of the paddle?) A parent was offered the opportunity to swat the child instead of the administrator or teacher applying the punishment. You would be surprised how many parents when called replied they would be right up to the school to do it.

Did I ever swat a student? I did, twice. It gave me a headache each time, but I also saw a positive change in the two boys I paddled. Did I see it abused? Yes, I witnessed a principal deliver a swat, and the kid moved. It caught him in the small of the back. The parent standing there saw it, but supported the school and actually thanked the principal for his efforts.

I am glad that corporal punishment is not allowed in my school system any longer. What I miss is the parental support that accompanied the swat. Then I wonder-could we save lives by preventing a student from retaliating with the delivered swat of a paddle on a bully?

 

 

 

The Historical Fact

Mining Hazards

Since the beginning of coal mining during the Industrial Revolution, accidents from various causes have proven fatal to hundreds of miners. More than 100,000 workers died during the 20^th Century. Some of the most dangerous hazards in the industry included cave-ins, explosions, vehicle and equipment collision or crushing, chemical leakage and fires. In Emily’s day the accidents could easily have been caused by human error. Using too much explosive materials or improper placement of blasting devices created explosions, cave-ins and fires.

Black lung and illness caused by dampness in the mines created more hazards for the miners, shortened their life spans and is still a problem today. The use of child labor was common in the 19^th Century, adding to the possibility of more human error and danger. As the second largest producer of coal in the world today, accidents in the United States still happen each year. The highest percentages of accidents, however, occur in the underdeveloped countries of the world with the most happening in China.

The following sites might be helpful.

 

http://www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coal_mining
http://www.coal-miners-in-kentucky.com/TheCoalMiner.html
http://ehistory.osu.edu/exhibitions/gildedage/content
http://www.pns.org/wgbh/amex/1900/filmmore/reference/interview/miller_danger

 

 

 

 

 

 

Prairie Recipes

Irish Desserts

                                       By Collette

These Irish cake recipes might have been served at Emily’s table.

Ultimate Irish Apple Cake

4 tablespoons of softened butter                     ½ teaspoon baking powder
1 cup sugar                                                      ½ teaspoon salt
1 room temperature egg, beaten                      ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
4 granny smith apples, cored, peeled              ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
   and diced (2 cups)                                        1 cup flour
¼ cup walnuts                                                 1 teaspoon vanilla

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease or spray an 8” square pan. In a large bowl cream butter and sugar well. Add egg, apples, nuts, vanilla and stir. Sift in dry ingredients and mix well. Pour into prepared pan and bake about 45 minutes until lightly browned and a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Let stand 5 minutes; then remove from pan. Serve warm or at room temperature. Add whipped cream or ice cream. Serves: 10-12

Irish Tea Cake

½ cup butter softened                                         2 teaspoons baking powder

1 cup sugar                                                         ½ teaspoon salt
2 eggs                                                                 ½ cup milk
1 ½ teaspoon vanilla                                           ¼ cup confectioners’ sugar
1 ¾ cups flour

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour a 9” round pan. Cream together butter and sugar until fluffy. Beat in eggs one at a time until mixed; stir in vanilla. Combine dry ingredients. Stir in alternately with milk. If too stiff, add a tablespoon or two of milk. Spread evenly in pan. Bake 30-35 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean when inserted. Cool in pan on wire rack. Dust with confectioners’ sugar just before serving.

The Storyteller's Corner

 

 

School Programs

                                        By Collette

 

I enjoyed vocal music all through my school years. My grandparents and great-aunts had a singing group before I was born, so I guess my interest came from that side of my family. I was in school programs, choirs, ensembles, a trio and several musicals. My memory is clear about what I did, but specific programs I do not recall. The program I most vividly remember was my kindergarten class. No singing was involved; I am surprised I remember it.

What we presented was a mock wedding. I think it was our superintendent’s son who married the girl I have written about before who played horses with me. They were the tallest kindergarteners. The rest of the class portrayed parents and invited guests.  I don’t remember if there were bridesmaids or groomsmen either. But I do remember my part.

I was chosen for this part because I was the shortest in the class. At the back of the stage, dressed in white with little white gloves, I stood on a table. (That made me appear a little taller than the couple.) I held two white paper bells in my hands at different levels. I also worried what I would do if I had to scratch my nose. My only instructions had been to stand still and not move. I also remember I felt special to get to stand on the table. (Didn’t take much to impress me.)

Leads in musicals and winning gold medals at vocal contests have been filed away in my brain with no hope of retrieval. My bell holding part is branded forever in a prominent place inside my head. Now the question: why?

 

Up the Family Tree

 

 

Road Trip

                                      By Judy

It’s the time of year some families consider a spring break trip. Not my family. My husband is an accountant, and our family did not take family trips during spring break. However, we did drive to the mountains one summer. Our van was packed to the top. There was not room for one more pillow or even another can of pop.

“Hey, Dad, don’t worry, I can still see your bald spot if I use my pocket telescope,” my older son shouted from the back seat.

“Thanks, son, I’m glad. We’ll be out of the driveway soon, and you’ll have some different scenery to view,” my husband answered.

“Are we there yet?” my younger son asked as we turned out our driveway onto the highway.

Time passed quickly, and we were soon a good distance from home. “I’m worried, dear,” I said. “We’ve been on the road for an hour, and we haven’t had to stop yet. Do you think the kids are dehydrated? We’ve driven by dozens of dirty bathrooms. Maybe we should look for a doctor in the next town?”

“Oh, Mom, don’t worry. We’re okay. Remember we brought pop and candy with us. We don’t ever have to actually use the bathroom when we stop. We just like to have you buy us stuff. But, I am hungry now. Could you fix me a peanut butter and jelly sandwich?” my younger daughter asked.

“No, you are not starving; you can wait. We plan to stop in the town that has the world’s largest hand-dug well, and we’ll eat our peanut butter and jelly sandwiches there,” I said.

“How did the world’s largest whale get to Kansas, Mom? Did it swim here?” my older son asked.

“There are no whales in Kansas, dear. Now, quit being so silly. Sit back and enjoy the trip,” I answered.

“But, Mom, you said we were going to eat our peanut butter and jelly sandwiches with a big whale,” my son whined.

“I did? Where did you get such an idea? Oh…I said well, dear, not whale…the world’s largest hand-dug well,” I explained.

“How many more hours, Mom, before we’re there?” my younger son asked.

“What? You mean we’re not going to see a whale? I want to see a whale. When can we see a whale?” my older son cried.

“I’m hungry, please Mom, can I have a sandwich now?” my daughter asked again.

“Mom, are we in Colorado yet?” my younger son asked.

“Mom, will there be a shopping mall near our cabin?” my older daughter asked.

“I wish I could see a whale. It’s not fair I can’t see a whale. That would be really neat,” my older son said.

“Why can’t I have a sandwich now?” my younger daughter nagged.

“Are we there yet?” my younger son echoed himself.

“I want to see a whale.”

“There just has to be a shopping mall. Who wants to see some silly old mountains?”

“Please Mom, I’m really, really, really hungry. Can’t I please, please, please, pretty please have a sandwich now?” came a weak plea from the back of the van.

“Dear, is it too early to get a motel for the night?” I asked my husband. “We’ve all been together for some time now. Perhaps you could take the kids to the pool while I lock myself in the motel room?”

“We are not stopping for the night yet. It’s not even 10:00 A.M.,” my husband said.

The day was long, but finally in the distance I saw a mountain range.

“Look kids, there are the mountains. There’s still snow on top, too.”

“I don’t see a mall.”

“I never did see a whale.”

“Are we out of peanut butter?”

“Now how much longer?”

The week in Colorado was cool, peaceful and relaxing. But T-ball games, swimming lessons, golf games and jobs awaited our return. It was a long sixteen-hour drive home. There were still many questions, and we didn’t see any whales. We bought a fresh loaf of bread and a new jar of peanut butter for the trip home.  No…there is nothing quite like a road trip for family bonding….