3rd graders step back in time with trip to Mound Bottom

By Kalen Russell, Assistant Director of Marketing and Communications

University School of Nashville third graders took a field trip 1,600 years in the making as they stepped off the bus and onto Mound Bottom State Archaeological Area in present-day Kingston Springs, Tennessee.

“We chose Mound Bottom because it’s so close to Nashville, and it’s something tangible for students to see and realize, ‘Oh, there were people 1,000 years ago that were different, but we can still see remnants of what their lives looked like,’” said Third Grade Teacher Barbara Voehler, who coordinated the field trip.

Tennessee Park Rangers Jack Foresman and Lisa Housholder led the day’s adventures, which included a guided hike and history lesson on Tuesday, October 6. Through answering questions, leading a walk up two of the preserved mounds, and pointing out the significance of the area’s geographic features, the rangers helped bring the history of the Mississippian Era to life.

“Visiting Mound Bottom ties into something [students] can visually see. I think walking on those mounds is basically like walking where people a thousand years ago walked, had a ceremony, or called out from one mound to another. It’s a whole body experience. We’re not just reading about it; it’s a whole person experience,” said Voehler.

Immersive learning experiences like these are what resonated most with Voehler as a student.

“What I remember about being in school is the times when we went outdoors, when we explored something hands-on, or we got to walk to something, to see it with our own eyes and touch it and feel it. I remember vividly some of the things we explored on a journey or field trip. So, one thing I’m just very passionate about is taking a field trip into our backyard because it’s so close,” said Voehler.

All of the students enjoyed yelling to one another from the tops of different mounds, which Ranger Jack said accurately reflected one of the mounds’ original purposes, facilitating communication.

While the students played, ran, yelled, and laughed, they also learned. Voelher said that after the field trip, many students went home to tell their parents about their experience and what they learned.
“It’s so important for students to be able to step outside of a classroom and have an experience like this,” said Lower School Associate Director of Admissions Natalie Baker, who also served as a field trip chaperone. “I think it’s important for kids to see some things firsthand and have someone new explain Tennessee’s rich history,” Baker continued.

This field trip mostly connected to social studies, but third graders also used archaeology to gain insight into the Mississippian Era.

“We checked out artifacts from the USN archives. They have a shadow box with artifacts from that time. We had the kids look at them. They actually touched some of them,” said Voelher.



“Engaging with primary sources, such as archaeological objects, provides students the opportunity to connect with a community they are studying in a more personal way. Making observations about an object opens the door for a student to ask questions about its use or purpose, apply critical thinking skills to interpret its context, and conduct additional research to tell a more complete story of our past,” said USN Archivist Liz Bedford.

“I want them to grow, find what they are curious about, discover how they can learn best, and how all the different ways of learning can mount up to more, and more, and more. One may learn better by going out to Mound Bottom and taking away something from there. Another one may learn more by diving into a book, but I want them to know that every way [of learning] is fine,” said Voelher.

Lower School curriculum is designed to support students' emerging curiosity as they make sense of the world around them through experiences that expose them to new ideas and affirm their sense of belonging. Learning about the lives of Native Americans in Middle Tennessee during the Mississippian Era lays the foundation for upcoming lessons in Tennessee and United States history, while also supporting students’ development into confident, curious, and culturally competent leaders.

 

“They’re learning about the rich history of where they currently live, and I love that they’re learning about lots of different cultures. Being able to think about yourself, where you came from, and where we started is really important and part of USN’s holistic approach,” said Baker.