Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/1081161
have to work hard all day," confides Alvaro Calderon. "If you wanted something and you didn't have money, you'd have to trade for it. And if you got sick or stung by a bee, there wasn't modern medicine, so you just had to pray." R e a g a n N o b l e re a d a b o o k a b o u t "amazing ladies" of that era, which made her appreciative that she will never have to wear a corset. She is also grateful that women today can choose any profession — not just teaching — and can vote and own property. Boys in pion eer tim es eschewed "women's work" such as washing clothes and cooking. However, for this project, boys and girls equally share the cooking and e ven wash so ck s by hand with a washboard and a bar of soap, which they do not find especially fun. In the end, both students a n d t e a c h e r s l e a r n f r o m the experience. "I love teaching this," says Gerber. "Normally the end of the year is pretty chaotic. But during Pioneer Days, students don't even think about being dis- ruptive. at's because they are learning so many interesting things and having so much fun." Left: As boys return to the classroom after recess, they bow respectfully to their teacher (Lenora Gerber), and she returns the gesture with a curtsey. Above: Ana Villilvazo and Grecia Marquez enjoy their freshly baked pretzels as Lenora Gerber looks on. Left: Jazmine Barreras, Grecia Marquez and Giselle Brown follow the pretzel recipe. " Students don't even think about being disruptive. That's because they are learning so many interesting things and having so much fun." — Lenora Gerber, Salida Teachers Association 49 F E B R U A R Y / M A R C H 2 019