On Friday, August 31, 2012, Chandler’s 5th grade students were privileged to have Kelly Bond, a member of the Cherokee Native American tribe, make a visit to their school. As 5th grade students study Native Americans in their core content, she was invited to help students make a real world connection with what they were learning about Native Americans in the classroom. Mrs. Bond came to the school dressed in authentic clothing that she wears when she goes to a Pow-Wow and brought many artifacts for students to see, such as arrowheads, baskets woven from grass, stones used for hammering, a drum for dancing, a dream catcher and a real blow dart.
Mrs. Bond also shared her heritage and some of the beliefs of Native Americans, such as their respect for nature and wildlife. She used pictures to share stories about the Cherokee culture and to explain about the Trail of Tears. Students were very engaged in Mrs. Bond’s presentation and what she had to teach them. At the end of the presentation, Mrs. Bond taught the students a traditional dance. When asked what her favorite part was, 5th grade student Ellanna Edenfield said, “The best part was the dance she taught us!” All students walked away with a deeper knowledge of Native Americans.
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