VENTURA : Third-Graders Go Back to Days of the Chumash
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They played games using only walnut shells, and hoops and sticks, but the third-graders at Montalvo School didn’t miss their Nintendo.
The class traveled back in time 500 years to live the life of the Chumash on Wednesday morning, part of the city of Ventura’s Interpretive Outreach Program.
During the program, the students tasted seeds and plants used by the Chumash, ground herbs found in their food, listened to traditional stories and painted wall hangings.
Teacher Jan Merino said the programs fit in well with the students’ social studies lesson on Native Americans.
She said the children are already reading “Badger Claws of Ojai,” a book about a young Chumash boy who lived in Ventura County long ago, as part of the lesson. “They’re more interested because the Chumash are from this area,” Merino said. “This perks up their interest and they can go from there.”
The Interpretive Outreach Program puts on several historical programs for students in Ventura County.
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