Kindergarten Field Experience at Haslam's

The kindergarten students went to Haslam's Book Store this week as a part of Reading Week in the Lower School. Haslam's is Florida's largest new and used book store.

The children learned a little about the history of books. Two hundred years ago children did not go to school, they worked in the fields and in their homes to help their families. On Saturdays they received their lessons and used horn books. Those were made from a thin layer of a steer's horn. The children were able to see and touch a horn and a few examples of horn books. They also learned a bit about the printing process; how books used to be bound pamphlets sewn together then glued and pressed. They were able to use two old book presses. The children saw an example of how storybooks are made today, on a large sheet of paper, mixed up in order and upside down, then cut and bound.

Although they enjoyed this history lesson greatly, the highlight of the trip was shopping for a new book! Each child left with one or two new books to delight in reading with their families at home!