The Pringle Plan: September 2019

Monday, September 30, 2019

Bohemian Norwichtown Walktober 2019

My second day of Walktober events was a walking tour of an historic section of Norwich. This is Bohemian Norwichtown! A middle class section of town that was filled with creative people - students, artists, teachers and administrators associated with the art program at the Norwich Free Academy. Although the area is much older, the tour focused on the years 1850-1900.

Walktober events run through November 2nd

This soon to be married dynamic duo is our tour guide for Bohemian Norwichtown - Dayne Rugh, Director of Education at the Slater Museum and his tour assistant Regan Miner, Executive Director at the Norwich Historical Society.

The Norwichtown Green

Our group met at the Norwichtown Green and proceeded up Mediterranean Lane where Dayne told us about the three artists who lived on this street. At the time, the area behind the homes was stripped of most trees for farmland. You will find links to more information about the people by clicking on the photos.

The Ozias and Hannah Dodge House

Ozias Dodge was an artist, teacher, and inventer. His wife, Hannah, was a Gibson Girl and after her husband's death served as Director of the Slater Museum from 1926-1963.

The Raymond Bailey Case House

I had trouble finding information about Case, but the link above does mention his poetic headstone.

The green house belonged to Blanche Browning, Director of the Norwich Art School

Dayne passed around photos of hand-painted Christmas cards the neighbors exchanged with one another. They had many social gatherings and were part of a very tight-knit community.

Norwichtown is an historic neighborhood with beautifully tended gardens

It's hard not to be distracted from the tour when walking by these flowers!

The Charlotte Fuller Eastman House

After walking up East Town St., we continued the tour along Washington St.

The Lathrop House is now a Bed and Breakfast

Look at those dates! There is over 350 years of history here!

The Frank Novack House

The East District School, Norwichtown's 2nd school

Many parties, plays and art exhibitions took place at the East District School which served as a Community Center for Bohemian Norwichtown residents.

Entrance to Lowthorpe Meadows

Next, our walk continued through Lowthorpe Meadow where we followed a trail to the Ancient Burying Ground.

Lowthorpe Meadow

You will find clear cut trails through Lowthorpe Meadow

Ancient Burying Ground, Norwich, CT

The Ancient Burying Grounds are also known as the Colonial Cemetery. It is where Revolutionary War Soldiers are buried, as well as Norwichtown founders, artists, NFA teachers and administrators and residents. Unfortunately, many of the headstones are so old, worn and covered in lichen that names and dates cannot be read. Others may never have had names on them.

Placards and gated entrance to the Ancient Burying Grounds are located on East Town St.

I had a wonderful time and plan to go back again just to walk around and soak up the wondrous history of this area.

See books by Laura S. Pringle on Amazon

The Pringle Plan is a series of educational guides.

Monday, September 23, 2019

Shetucket River Walktober 2019

Shetucket River Dam, Norwich, CT

This Fall I'm determined to participate in as many local Walktober events as possible. In Connecticut, Walktober 2019 events stretch from September 21st - November 2nd. Because I recently moved to Norwich, I'm focusing on these local walks to learn more about the city I live in. Norwich is the southern most city in The Last Green Valley, a National Heritage Corridor that extends north to central Massachusetts. The rural landscape of this valley is 77% farmland and forest. It is one of the last areas that has not been completely destroyed by light pollution. There are areas in the corridor where there is actually enough darkness to have a clear view of brilliant starlight in the night sky.

Our volunteer Walktober leader points the way

The power company has access to the dam because they maintain it, which means part of the walk is on a comfortable, level dirt road.

We learned about some native trees in the surrounding forest

We learned that it is not just maple trees that can be tapped for their sap. Birch and sycamore sap can also be used to make a syrup. Birch smells a bit like root beer and is used to make birch beer. Sycamore has a very low sugar content and is said to taste like butterscotch. The liquid sap is mostly water so is it can be used as pre-filtered water in times of drought. Good to know if you're ever lost in a forest and happen to have some tapping tools with you!

The white of the upper part of this tree trunk tells us it is a sycamore tree

Occum Hydro-electric power plant on Shetucket River, Norwich, CT

These timbers are used to maintain and repair the dam

My new neighbor, JoEllen joined me for the walk!

We were able to get pretty close to the river and dam.

During the dry season, you can walk along the top of the dam

If you look closely, you can see the wood timbers that make it possible for eel to wiggle up and over

On the far side of the dam, you can see a fish ladder

Connecticut's state fish, shad, were not seen north of the dam once the textile mills and dams were built in the 1800's. This changed when a fish ladder was built by Norwich Public Utilities. The company also trucks 10% of the fish further up river. This returns shad and other fish to their native area.

A view from above shows loose timbers and logs

The red painted rock indicates no fishing is allowed between this point and the dam.

North of the dam the river reflects the surrounding woods

Shetucket River

At this point our walk changed from easy dirt road to narrow trail along the bank of the Shetucket River. The Shetucket begins north of Norwich near Willimantic. Four miles north-east of Norwich, the Quinebaug River spills into the Shetucket, which ends when it joins the Yantic River to form the Thames River estuary.

Shetucket River - Walktober 2019

So exciting to see this evidence of beaver activity along the river!

We continued along the trail toward a view of the old dam

Across the river we see remnants of the old dam

The granite of this old dam was laid in 1820 and was still in use in 1865

You can still see the old hickory timbers under water

Another remnant of the 19th century dam

The view to the south was beautiful....

...as was the view to the north

I thoroughly enjoyed our walk on the Shetucket River - much better than walking on a treadmill!

See books by Laura S. Pringle on Amazon

The Pringle Plan is a series of educational guides.

Monday, September 9, 2019

Seasonal Read Alouds for Kindergarten

Changing leaves - the perfect time to start teaching about the four seasons

Here are a few picture book recommendations* to Read Aloud to your kindergartners this fall and each season, from The Pringle Plan For Kindergarten Comprehension.

Books on Fall:

Fall. Emily C. Dawson. Photo illustrations and simple text describe the scenes of fall.

Hello Autumn! Shelley Rotner. Vivid photos, poetic text, and autumn facts!

Leaves. David Ezra Stein. A curious young bear learns about leaves.

Yellow Time. Lauren Stringer. The ash trees of Minneapolis turn fall into a “Symphony of yellow!”

Books on Winter:

50 Below Zero. Robert Munsch. A sleep-walking papa and freezing temps equal an absurd winter night!

Grandmother Winter. Phyllis Root. Poetic imagery explains what happens when Grandmother Winter shakes out her quilt.

In the Snow: Who’s Been Here? Lindsay Barrett George. Cammy and William spread corn for animals and discover – Who’s been here! Another great prediction book featuring nature.

Sleep, Black Bear, Sleep. Jane Yolen. Great bedtime story of animals hibernating in winter.

Snow Bear. Jean Craighead George. An Eskimo child and a polar bear cub play while the adults (human and bear) watch and worry.

Snowmen at Night. Caralyn Buehner. Snowmen come to life and have a grand ole time! See if you can spot illustrator Mark Buehner’s hidden pictures!

The Snowy Day. Ezra Jack Keats. Caldecott Medal. A young boy’s sense of awe brought on by a blanket of snow. Snowsuits, hats, snowballs, sliding, snowman, snow angel – amazing fun!

Winter is the Warmest Season. Lauren Stringer. After reading this book, you’ll find yourself longing for the warm days of winter! Attitude is everything!

Books on Spring:

It’s Spring! Linda Glaser. Signs of spring. Includes nature activities!

Mud. Mary Lyn Ray. Winter melts away into “Gooey, gloppy, mucky, magnificent mud.” Pure joy on child’s face as he sniffs and squishes!

Sixteen Miles to Spring. Andrew Pelletier. Part curious story, part explanation of how the earth spins, tilts, and brings us spring.

Spring. Nicola Baxter. Signs of spring, and some activities to try!

Weather in Spring. Jenny Fretland VanVoorst. Photos and simple text describe spring weather.

When Spring Comes. Kevin Henkes. Delightful paintings of plants, animals, children, bees and bubbles!

Books on Summer:

A Summery Saturday Morning. Margaret Mahy. Fun sing-a-long story of dogs and ducks by the shore.

Canoe Days. Gary Paulson. The quiet beauty of nature is discovered while canoeing on a lake.

Summer. Nicola Baxter. Signs of summer and some activities to try!

The Little Island. Golden MacDonald (aka Margaret Wise Brown). A little kitten sails to an island one summer day and discovers the islands secret – all land is one land under the sea.

When the Fireflies Come. Jonathon London. Fully relatable view of summer’s sights, sounds, and laughter – through children’s eyes!

Additional books on Seasons:

A Bunny for All Seasons. Janet Schulman. Follow this cute little bunny through all the seasons.

Goose Moon. Carolyn Arden. Grandpa shares the story of the Goose Moon and the signs of spring.

Here Comes Darrell. Leda Schubert. Nice story of trucks, small towns, and neighbors who care.

Listen, Listen. Phillis Gershator. Rhymes and sound words all year round.

Long Night Moon. Cynthia Rylant. Great follow up to a unit on Native American folklore. Each of the twelve full moons has a name.

One Monday. Amy Huntington. Search for the mouse each day of the week as the wind blows cats across the barnyard, and black spots right off the white cow!

Spring Thaw. Steven Schnur. Lovely illustrations accompany observations of nature changing seasons.

The Bears’ Almanac. Stan and Jan Berenstain. Facts and rhymes inform in Berenstain Bears style.

The Lion and The Bird. Marianne Dubuc. This mostly picture book tells a gentle story of friendship through the seasons. The bird naturally flies away when it is time, then returns to its lonely lion friend.

*For more Read Aloud recommendations and sample lessons see: The Pringle Plan For Kindergarten Comprehension, and The Pringle Plan For Holiday Read Alouds on Amazon

See books by Laura S. Pringle on Amazon

The Pringle Plan is a series of educational guides.

Monday, September 2, 2019

Wadsworth Mansion

We went to the Wadsworth Mansion and Outdoor Market last week. The Wadsworth Mansion, located in Middletown, CT, is not to be confused with the Wadsworth Atheneum, in Hartford, CT. There is also a Wadsworth State Park and Wadsworth Falls. So, apparently the Wadsworth's were pretty important people in Connecticut's history.

Long driveway to the Wadsworth Mansion, Middletown, CT

This is a pretty popular annual event, with large crowds of people and dogs! We parked at a nearby school and walked over. The mansion is set back so far from the road you can't see it until you are almost there.

Wadsworth Mansion, Middletown, CT

Docents were inside giving brief tours, but with so many people and so much going on, we really didn't learn much about the Wadsworth's or the mansion other than it appears to be a great place to rent for a wedding or special event.