First Grade Celebrates Minnesota’s Sesquicentennial at Providence Academy

(May 6^th, 2008) – As Minnesota gears up for it Sesquicentennial on May 11^th, 2008 the first grade students of Providence Academy are learning about the history of our great state.  “The Minnesota history we study is part of our regular first grade curriculum, and having the unit coincide with the 150^th anniversary of the birth of the state is really exciting for the students,” said Robyn Steinbreuck, a first grade teacher at the Academy.

Students are learning about the loon, the lady slipper and the walleye.  “The neatest thing I learned about was the Legend of the Lady Slipper,” said first grade student Gabriella Munger.  Students also learn about the state flag bearing the state motto "L'Etoile du Nord" which is French for “The Star of the North”.

During the unit students attend two field trips.  The off campus excursions are designed to reinforce the children’s study of early Minnesota history.  “We take field trips to the Oliver Kelley Farm and to the Mill City Museum,” said Steinbreuck.  “They help the children learn about early settlement, as well as the importance of the flour mill in Minnesota’s history.”  “The field trip to the farm was really neat,” said William Reschenberg, a first grade student in Steinbrueck’s class, “I learned that you never want to walk in front of an ox!”

The history unit culminates in a grand presentation attended by students and parents.  The students sing songs such as ‘We Come From Minnesota’ and ‘Hail Minnesota’.  First grade student Morgan Phillips explained, “The songs were fun to learn, and there are actions that go with them.”  Students will also present Minnesota fun facts like identifying the state muffin as blueberry and the state drink as milk!

While Providence students enjoy their celebration of Minnesota’s Sesquicentennial, statewide event celebrations will be highlighted by a wagon train arriving in St. Paul from Cannon Falls on Statehood Day, May 11^th.  “Capitols For A Day” events are also running May 13^th- May 16^th in Bemidji, Thief River Falls, Detroit Lakes, New Ulm and Winona, as well as Statehood Weekend events featuring a commemorative USPS stamp unveiling and concluding with a fireworks display over the state capitol the evening of May 18^th.  Event details and additional sesquicentennial information can be found at www.mn150years.org

Gabriella Munger, a Providence Academy first grade student from Big Lake, works hard on her watercolor of a Walleye, the state fish, during the Minnesota History unit.

Sara Haus, a Providence Academy student from Eden Prairie, smiles while showing off her Walleye watercolor painting during the first grade study of Minnesota History.

| News & Events | About the Academy | Lower School | Middle School | Upper School | Curriculum & Extra-Curricular | Admission & Tuition | Sports Information | Contact Us | Home |