In every issue:

• Secretary's Column
• Did You Know...
• Child and Adult Nutrition Services (CANS)

Upcoming Events

Printable Version

Admin Memo Archive

For editorial information,
contact Karon Schaack at karon.schaack@state.sd.us.

It is the policy of the Department of Education to provide services to all persons, without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, disability, ancestry, or national origin, in accordance with federal and state laws.

Supplemental texts available for teaching South Dakota history

Two new books from the South Dakota State Historical Society Press offer additional resources for teaching South Dakota history.  The SD Social Studies Content Standards specify that South Dakota history is taught in Grade 4 in SD schools.

Dakota Dreams: Fannie Sabra Howe’s Own Story, 1881-1884, written and illustrated by Janet Howe Townsley, is based on the diary of a young girl who came to Dakota Territory from Wisconsin and settled with her family in Mellette. Townsley is the great-niece of Fannie Howe. The Howes were well-known residents of Mellette and built a house and an elevator that were both round structures. In addition to using actual diary excerpts, Townsley based her illustrations on historic and family photographs. Dakota Dreams paints an accurate picture of life during the homesteading days while engaging children with a lively text and charming illustrations. Children can relate to Fannie’s comments about the wind, the heat, and the mosquitoes.

Dakota Dreams can also be used as a supplemental text for language arts. Fannie’s diary excerpts can be used to encourage children to write in their own journals and describe their experiences. The South Dakota State Historical Society is preparing a pilot curriculum based on journal writing which will be available on www.sdhistory.org.

Dakota Dreams is written for students in grades 4-7.

SDSHS Press will also publish Herbert Schell’s History of South Dakota, 4th edition revised, this summer. This important book has been updated by South Dakota State University history professor emeritus John E. Miller, who has written two new chapters on South Dakota covering the period from World War II to the end of the 20th century. New photographs and updated appendices are included. This book will be available August 1, 2004, and was made possible by a grant from the South Dakota Department of Education.

Teachers interested in using Dakota Dreams in their classrooms or in having History of South Dakota, 4th edition, revised, as a reference book can contact the Society at 605-773-6009 or by e-mail at sdshspress@state.sd.us for information on discounts for educators.