"The Sooner State"

After studying the state of Utah, we moved directly into doing a week on the great state of Oklahoma. It worked out nicely because my parents came into town for a few days and I was able to recruit my mother to do a large part of the teaching. She spent several days teaching the kids all about Oklahoma history. Although she touched on the dust bowl and other significant events and peoples, the bulk of her lesson was on the Native Americans history. She discussed the history of the Indians, how they were moved into Oklahoma during the Trail of Tears and resided there until the great Oklahoma Land Runs. She taught them about the five civilized tribes, (the kids couldn't stop laughing over the Chick-I Saw Indians!) and about the Indians daily life (Spencer became obsessed with bow and arrows and Indian Quivers after this discussion). She also brought all sorts of props to show and give the kids i.e. the Oklahoma flag, a dream catcher to hand downstairs in their rooms, some Indian figurines, and real Indian jewelry from a friend of hers who is a true Indian Princess. Here she is at the table teaching away:



The kids loved talking all about Indian culture and lifestyles. They were saddened by the stories of the government mistreating the Indians, and shocked when they got to the part of the lesson on the Land Runs. How could the government break its promise to the Indians and give their lands away? It was a powerful teaching moment for the kids, and one that gave us an opportunity to talk about the Book of Mormon prophesies about the Indians.

Although the kids were upset by the fact that the government decided to give away the Indians' land via the Oklahoma Land Run of 1889, I knew our Oklahoma Unit wouldn't be complete without a Land Run re-enactment. Growing up in Oklahoma, our elementary schools always held a Land Run day, so I knew just how to proceed. Our first task; however, was to round up some settlers in search of free land so we wouldn't have to "run" all by ourselves. With so many wonderful friends, that didn't prove to be much of a challenge.

Our next order of business was to host a few activities to make preparations throughout the week of our land-run. First the kids came over to decorate small flags that they would attach to their stakes. Next we had them over to make stick horses to ride during the big event.



And then, finally the actual Land Run Day arrived. The kids all dressed up and brought their stakes and stick horses. (As you can see in the photo, we even saved our covered wagon for the great event.) We made them all stand outside behind a long red ribbon and wait for the cap-gun fire to set off in search of their land. Our whole back-yard was staked off and the kids were instructed to find their piece of earth and place their stake next to the large stake marking their territory. It was absolutely adorable to see these kids get so into the Run, and it brought back so many fond memories of my own childhood in Oklahoma. Here are a few pictures of the kids on the big day:









Just as the kids were lining up, several of the neighbors came outside to see what all the excitement was about. A few people walking by also stopped to watch us as all the commotion broke out. I don't know if they thought we were having a birthday party, or what, but it was quite comical to end up with an audience for our Oklahoma Land Run Day. I should have gone over and explained it all to them, but I didn't want to miss out on watching the kiddo stake out their claims.

Once everyone got some land, then it was time for some good-old Oklahoma cuisine. We prepared BBQ Brisket in honor of the Oklahoma beef, we had chips and cowboy caviar, corn and watermelon, and a delicious peanut dessert made with real Oklahoma wheat and peanuts. Here are our two little love-birds eating their dinner over on their land.



Following the land run, we all settled in for a movie night to watch, well, the famous Rodgers and Hammerstein's musical Oklahoma of course! The kids and I had been listening to the music all week and it seemed appropriate to cap off our weeks events with the classic film. After all, "We know we belong to the land. And the land we belong to is grand! And when we say Yeeow! Ayipioeeay! We're only sayin' you're doin' fine, Oklahoma! Oklahoma O.K.!"