Titus Kent Narrative

Titus Kent was a slave who lived in Suffield, Connecticut from 1733-18xx. His Owner was Elihu Kent who was also an officer in the town’s militia. Titus served in the American Revolution for the Connecticut militia. We do not have any documents describing the relationship that Titus had with Elihu. Nevertheless, we do have a document showing Titus’ first enlistment in the Connecticut State Militia. 

The nineteenth century town historian, Hezikiah Spencer Sheldon, interviewed older resident and learned that Titus married Rose, who was a slave for the minister, Reverend Ebenezer Gay. They had three children who were manumited in 1814 by Revenend Ebenezer Gay’s two sons. 

Titus Kent fought in the third regiment and was notably getting paid for his doing. Even though he was a slave fighting during this time. 

George Washington was a big deal during this time and the light was mainly focused on him throughout the years. He was the symbol for our country, and at this time Titus Kent was enslaved by the Kent family in Suffield. As George Washington comes to visit Suffield, Titus Kent might have seen him and got impressed by what he was doing and was motivated to join the army after this.

Composting Survey

We are creating a survey in order to understand how effective our compost education campaign will be. Our PBL class is creating stickers, napkins, and posters about how to compost and how it helps Suffield and the world. The goal of this project is to educate the Suffield community and inspire people to care more about the environment. In order to evaluate the effectiveness of the project, we need to create a survey and have students take it before and after our education campaign. To create a successful survey, students are selected and surveyed randomly. After our campaign, another randomly selected group of students will be surveyed. With a large enough sample size, we will be able to tell if we completed our goal of educating the Suffield academy community.

Below are the questions used in the survey.

How important do you think composting is to the environment? 

Not important    Slightly important    Moderately important    Very important    Extremely Important

Are you willing to compost regularly?

Definitely    Probably not    Possibly    Probably    Definitely

How much do you like the idea of having a green bucket on a dining table?

Strongly disagree    Disagree    Neutral    Agree    Strongly Agree

How much do you think you know about what happens to the food after it is put in the bucket?

Definitely    Probably not    Possibly    Probably    Definitely

How often do you compost outside of the dining hall?

Never   Rarely    Sometimes    Often    Always

Can you compost this? (Choose the correct answer)

Banana peels               YES    NO

Milk Cartons               YES    NO

Plastic Wraps              YES    NO

Cupcake Wrappers     YES    NO

Paper Napkins             YES    NO

Oil                                 YES    NO

Understanding Freedom in the Revolutionary War

Deborah squash was the slave of the former U.S. president George Washington. Deborah and her husband worked very hard while being enslaved by Washington and eventually escaped and ran away. She got onto a British ship and this caused a stir back at the plantation. Washington’s cousin, Lund, was furious at the fact they escaped and decided to pursue the slaves. He offered supplies in exchange for the return of the slaves and the British took the supplies and refused to give up the slaves. This is because they were the United states’ enemies at the time so why would they help the US. Word spread quickly about Washington’s cousin helping the enemy and Washington was furious and said his cousins’ actions were “exceedingly ill-judged.” Deborah then made her way to New York where she hoped to get her freedom from the British.

Source: https://wams.nyhistory.org/settler-colonialism-and-revolution/the-american-revolution/deborah-squash/

Pine Grove Schoolhouse, a Fine Suburban Gem

The Pine Grove Schoolhouse from the outside.

The Pine Grove Schoolhouse is a historical sight and former school in Avon, Connecticut. It was first opened in 1865. It was built at a price of $1,538.34. The school was highly praised. As a matter of fact, Henry Barnard, a 19^th century education reformer from Connecticut, thought of it as the best school in Connecticut. The school was later named Pine Grove School by the students, who came from several towns adjacent to Avon. It was a school until 1949.

After its closing, the schoolhouse was operated as a branch library, a nursery school, and a meeting school for Explorer Scouts. Additionally, it was used for choir rehearsal for a local church. It underwent several restorations, the first one being in 1975. It was set up as an early 20^th century schoolhouse, with visiting hours. The outhouse was restored in 2012, and an informational kiosk was added in 2014. This was for an Eagle Scout project. It still stands today as a symbol of the rich history of Avon and its surrounding towns. It remains a historical representation of schoolhouses in the early 20^th century. This provides Avon with place-based learning (PBE), where citizens can learn by really being there and not just learning from technology. This provides a deeper learning experience. Ever since it was built in 1865, the Pine Grove Schoolhouse has remained untouched, as to protect its precious history.

Disclaimer: Please feel free to correct me on any mistakes.

• http://www.avonhistoricalsociety.org/html/sites/pine-grove.html

• https://www.courant.com/community/avon/hc-va-avon-historical-society-pine-grove-school-tours-20190718-20190715-6zbucwvk2vekzdk57rzyb7v6ga-story.html
• https://www.gettingsmart.com/placebasededucation/

Winter in the City that Never Sleeps

I love being in NYC during Christmas time. The cold air making my toes and hands freeze, and the smoke coming out of my breath, as the temperature drops to below freezing. As much as I love to live NYC, my favorite part about the holidays is Rockefeller Center. Rockefeller Center  is a place for my family and other families to go and see the lights and the decorations around and the beautiful light show shimmering at me as the sound of the delightful music enters my ears . Visiting the tree allows my family to bond over the overwhelming view of lights we see shining high above us, and despite all the people, we are actually allowed to get some awesome pictures and enjoy ourselves. It also allows us to take a breath from everything that has been going on around and take in the beauty of the city that never sleeps.

Every time I look up at the bright lights and seeing them it makes me happy and gives me hope in the world. It also shows how families and people can come together over such a small thing like a christmas tree and have the best time with their friends and families. My family and I respect our tradition and  make a memories and start a tradition of this amazing experience given to us in our very own city. Our tradition is that every year on December 22nd we go and see the tree and take pictures.

The uniqueness and diversity of the tree every year is different and has a different story; it gets cut down and decorated and takes a long time to set up. The tree reminds me a lot of people. Since there is a uniqueness and a different story behind everyone background and everyone has a story. The first tree to ever be created was in 1931 during the depression area. It was about 20 feet and was decorated with strings of cranberries, garlands of paper, and even tin cans. This occured on Christmas Eve. Then they have a set schedule of when the tree is arriving to when it is going to be lit. Every year the christmas tree lighting event has gotten bigger and bigger, and people from all over the world have come to see it and enjoy the bright lights glaring back at them.

The Rockefeller Center tree should not be removed from New York City because it brings money into the state because of the amount of people that it attracts into the city. It also brings together families and couples to enjoy the gorgeous lights of the tree and experience it first hand. Everyone enjoys this time in the city because of this tree. This tree brings people together and takes out hate in the world even if its for certain hours during the holidays. Personally, I like that i can go there with my family every year and seeing the tree. It allows my  family to have a family tradition and to have great christmas card photos, and more memories.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rockefeller_Center_Christmas_Tree

Wallkill Soldier monument

   One significant historical monument where I live is called the Wallkill Soldier’s Monument. The statue is enormous and stands on a 15-foot base and is 7 feet in itself. It portrays a soldier wearing a cap, knee-length overcoat with a cape. He stands upright, holding his rifle vertically with his left hand over his right. It was made in September of 1879 by O.E. Owen. The town dedicated this statue in 1879 to give the soldiers of the civil war that lived in the town of Wallkill a monument. They hold a memorial every year where many military members and family of military members come out to honor all of our fallen heroes. It then got moved to Middletown in 1894. There are not many monuments in Middletown that help honor our fallen troops.

    When hearing that the town of Middletown wants to take down the Wallkill soldier, I was shocked. The statue is to commemorate and honor the fallen soldiers from Wallkill that fought for us during the civil war.

This statue represents the respect we have for our fallen troops that gave their lives to help fight for what they felt was right. Putting this statue up in remembrance of them was a very honorable action. We still use this statue to host many events to honor the troops annually, and the town will be very disappointed if it removed.

https://www.townofwallkill.com/departments/government/zb/9-uncategorised/631-veterans-memorial.html

http://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WMY7F2_Wallkill_Soldiers_Monument_Middletown_NY

Airbnb – Nobody believed in the founder idea, resulting into powerful perseverance

Joe Gebbia – http://www.zimbio.com/photos/Joe+Gebbia/Airbnb+Open+LA+Day+2/z7o4yp19-bG

I believe that Joe Gebbia’s personal story contains unique innovative thinking because nobody believed in his idea at first. More specifically, people back then thought to sleep in a stranger’s bedroom, thus using their kitchen and bathroom was an unbelievable idea. However, thanks to his perseverance, his innovative idea led to one of the well-known traveling experiences in the world today. Throughout the story, the founder used different innovative thinking skills to achieve his goals. For instance, he talked about saving the white blank book that was being thrown away at the library and using it as an idea book. By the end of his year in college, he used innovative thinking and established 2000 books full of creative ideas. These books were gathered in the garage, where all of his innovative ideas were stored. As of result, one of his innovative ideas that has been created from the book led to the greatest success in his company. Despite everything, I enjoyed listening to his story and how the founder’s innovative thinking led to his achievement. #HowIBuiltThis #PennPBL #JoeGebbia #Airbnb

1. The founder has worked on many ideas and he says that majority of them were bad or undeveloped. What did he learn through this process? What did he keep doing instead of giving up?
2. The founder mentions about the white blank book near the trash can in the library. What did he ask the librarian and what did he do with the blank books? What kind of thinking is he using there?
3. Throughout the process, the founder has faced some several failures. After regrouping and trying for the fourth time, the company successfully increased. What did the founder do that led to the click moment where the the numbers flopped and began congregating the customers?
4. What does the founder do when he is in an uncomfortable situation? In the podcast, he talks about how uncomfortableness brings out an engagement. What examples did he provide and why do you think this was so important to him?
5. The founder checks his email one last time before going to bed and sees “Help” in bold with twelve explanation mark from the couples vising San Francisco. What does he specifically do immediately after reading the email? What thinking led to his action and how did this help the couple?