This wonderful day, enabled our first grade students to practice their penmanship on a slate utilizing a slate pencil, practice their math skills using  mathematical games called ‘Shut the Box,’ play a ‘Cup and Ball’ game to improve their coordination and  make an authentic diary! Additionally, they listened to a fable from McGuffrey’s Eclectic Primer. 
 
Additionally the following day, the Glenwood Landing students and their teachers had the unique opportunity to see a one-room schoolhouse built by seniors in the Long Island Studies Program. The program is spearheaded by technology teacher Bruce Fichtman. Mr. Fichtman greeted the students and brought them inside the North Shore “Schoolhouse,” which is a historic replica of a school building from “School Long Ago”. As they entered the authentic one-room structure, you could hear many of the children gasp, “WOW!” 

During their visit, topics of discussion emphasized the importance of architectural plans and model building. Mr. Fichtman also shared with the students various photos and replicas of a sailboat that was created by his students as well as the new TV & Recording Studio. First graders watched and listened intensely and even had an opportunity to ring the schoolhouse bell!

Many thanks to historian Diane Fish and teacher Bruce Fichtman, as well as the Glenwood Elementary 1st grade teachers including Renee Curiale, Janice Wolin, Jill Cano, and Andie Ebert. Kudos to the GWL Enrichment Services program led by Audra Marcantonio for making this authentic experience available to the first graders.  

Article and photos by Shelly Newman