The Wilder Homestead is a local homestead museum that hosts our 5th graders. During their visit, they do chores, crafts, and other activities in the style of the people of Colonial New England. 

To supplement their classwork in preparation for the trip, we searched the Library of Congress for sources about Colonial History in Massachusetts, and the Historic Deerfield museum for things that are even more local to the community. 

One of our seniors created a documentary film on the Franklin County dairy industry, it's proud history and uncertain future. To supplement her research and her film footage, she used a variety of images and other sources from the Library of Congress. These included comparisons of herself as a child competing in 4H and doing farm work, with 8 year old Jack, who was photographed by Lewis Hine and her 

Linked above is Clare's slideshow from her Summative Capstone presentation in January, 2023. Created by Clare Wasileski. 

In our 10th grade Civic Action Project course, students design projects in small groups to address a concern they've identified. To prepare for this work, students engage in a community study and analysis of the ASSETS and VULNERABILITIES of their communities. 

This work involves thinking about the history of the region and the way it has changed over time. We've found a variety of primary sources to use in our introduction and implementation of this work, and also primary sources to help with student research and development of their own projects. 

Pictured above are MTRS students at the Great Falls Discovery Center in Turners Falls, viewing a Smithsonian traveling exhibit called Crossroads: Change in Rural America.

Teachers in US History and Marine Biology recently began working on a spring collaboration on the changing importance of whales in the history of New England. Students will be introduced in US History to the whaling industry and its role in the development of New England. 

Students in Marine Biology will focus on the repercussions of this history coupled with the results industrialization and climate change on the whale population of New England in modern times. They'll share a field trip on a whale watch and learn about modern conservation efforts. 

Teachers in US History and AP Environmental Science will be collaborating on a post-AP test project for the AP EnviSci students to engage in after their test in May and June. Stay tuned for more information!!

Both the Biology and Civic Action Project courses will be using excerpts of the book Braiding Sweetgrass with students this spring. 

The teachers of the courses will be collaborating to bring in primary sources and local history about indigenous practices in New England, and furthering relationships with local tribal communities to engage students further in this aspect of local history and ecology.