For immediate release:
December 11, 20OO
Tampa, FL

Students from Independent Day School (IDS) will leave their boom boxes, Gameboys, and nail polish bottles at home when they head back to school on the evening of December 14 for their fifth grade class sleep over.
Instead, teachers have asked them to bring items such as a sheet and rope to make a pup tent, an old sock with a hole to darn, a mess kit, and a canteen of water. These are just a few of the supplies they will need as they are transported back to the days of the Civil War and transformed into the Fifth Grade Regiment located at Camp Lipsey.

The overnight Civil War simulation, which will include a variety of hands-on learning experiences, was conceived by the fifth grade teaching team of Michelle Hill, Linda Wenzel and Michelle Emery to culminate the students' study of the Civil War. "We want to bring the Civil War to life for them," says Hill, "as well as make this a community building experience.

As a prelude to the simulation, and as an opportunity to reinforce mathematical concepts, students will plan their dinner of hardtack and stew for that night by purchasing their ingredients and preparing their food on Wednesday.

Thursday morning will begin with the weighing in of backpacks, which to be authentic, should be 45 pounds. Buddy burners will be assembled for cooking breakfast Friday morning. Students will then complete an obstacle course, the results from which will be used for forming companies and establishing ranks for the evening's activities.

Students will then "report for duty" and "receive their orders" at 7:30 p.m. During dinner, they will receive a lesson from an actual Civil War reenactment performer on how the drums commanded the troops during battle -- a lesson that will prepare them for drills later In the evening.

After dinner, students will dress in the authentic clothing of Union and Confederate soldiers and a simulated battle behind enemy lines will take place. The "injured" will be brought to medical stations where their wounds will be attended to by nurses, also outfitted in clothing of the period.

The "soldiers" will be taught how to darn their socks and how to march following commands. They will have the opportunity to write letters home using both quills and the vocabulary specific to the time. The musical portion of the evening will include a Virginia Reel during which soldiers will be able to relax, dance, and participate in a sing-along.

"Mail call" will include surprise packages from home, filled with items a typical Civil War soldier would have received -- a handkerchief scented with a mother's perfume, toilet paper, or something to eat that would be softer than hardtack.

Soldiers will then "set up camp" constructing mock pup tents. In the morning, they will make their own butter and cook their own breakfasts outside. The simulation will end with a guest presentation of an authentic camp and the construction of lanterns similar to what might have been used during that time.

"In a traditional classroom, you read the chapter, answer the questions and move on," says Hill. We believe that the more students can experience the Civil War, the more they will remember its life lessons. We want to create a powerful memory for them -- something they will remember for the rest of their lives -- through a unique learning experience."

Creating unique learning experiences -- add a unique learning environment -- is what IDS is all about.

Founded in 1968, Independent Day School is a fully-accredited, private, non-sectarian school located in the heart of the Carrollwood section of north Tampa. It serves 400 plus students in grades Pre-K through 8. At IDS, all children experience learning in a nurturing, caring, child-centered, and highly academic environment focused on excellence and developing a positive self-concept and high self-esteem.

Contact: Dr. Joyce Burick Swarzman, Head of Independent Day School
Telephone: (813) 961-3087