Discovery Boxes

The Discovery Boxes at the Alabama Department of Archives and History were designed for parents or other guardians, scout leaders and teachers of small classes to explore with young people. Some boxes feature information and objects relating to a specific subject. Other boxes allow children and adults to enjoy traditional and pastimes. The objective is to better acquaint young people with the subject matter through exploration, analysis and play through suggested activities. The following listing of the boxes will assist you in determining which one(s) you might want to have available when you visit the Hands-on Gallery at the Archives.

STRING GAMES Box A - (3rd grade and up)

Contents: 1 String Games by Camilla Gryski 1 neon string 4 white strings 1 red string Instruction sheet for Chinese Jump Rope

The String Games Box introduces students to Chinese jump rope and other traditional string games. Full instructions and historical background of the games are provided.

FOAM SHAPES Box B - (6 months - 2 years)

Contents: 11 foam shapes of various sizes

This box contains foam shapes which can be used to help your children learn to identify and compare shapes.

AIRPLANES Box C - (Ages 13 and Up)

Contents: Question & information sheet Word search 8 foam core pictures 12 laminated pictures

This box contains pictures of airplanes from 1920 to the Gulf War. A sheet of questions guides students as they study how aircraft have changed over time. PHOTOGRAPH ACTIVITIES Box D - (3rd grade and Up)

Contents: 2 envelopes with activities

This box contains copies of historic photographs and two suggested activities which help students comprehend lifestyle, fashion, technology, and environmental changes over time.

JACKS, MARBLES & JUMP ROPE Box E - (K and Up)

Contents: 5 jump ropes 1 box of marbles Information Sheets 1 spinning top 3 bounce balls 1 bag of jacks 1 cup and ball 1 cloth marble bag The Klutz Book of Marbles by Editors of Klutz Press All About Marbles and 20 Games to Play by House of Marbles Marbles: The Pocket Book of Marbles Collecting, History, and Games by House of Marbles

Box E is filled with several traditional games for the student to play. Short histories and directions for these games are included, along with several variations.

DOMINO & PICTURE SEQUENCING Box F - (All Ages)

Contents: Information sheet Envelope A with pictures Envelope B with activity sheets Scissors Crayons

The domino box teaches students how to play dominos by use of the picture sequencing on the opposite sides of the dominos, matching smaller pictures to their corresponding larger pictures.

KITCHEN TOOLS Box G - (All Ages)

Contents: 10 Kitchen tools and gadgets Printed Material Informational sheet & questions

This box contains advertisements of kitchen tools of yesteryear along with detailed descriptions of their use. Students are able to examine 10 kitchen items not often found in today’s kitchens. STORY CARDS Box H - (K and Up)

Contents: Information sheet 1 pair of scissors Extra Activity sheets 1 box of crayons

Story cards, cards placed in order to make a picture and spell a word were popular with children in the 19th century. Children can create their own contemporary story cards.

LACE Box I - (6th grade and Up)

Contents: 2 Books: The Love of Lace, by Cynthia Hart and Catherine Calvert Pillow Lace and Bobbins, by Jeffery Hopewell 1 Article: “Museum Shows Works Laced With Beauty,” Alabama Journal & Advertiser, Sunday, July 15, 1984 14 examples of lace: knitted cap crown,/knotted filet (Lacis) doily/ Pt. de Gaze/ Pt. de Milan/ Binch bobbin lace/ Irish crochet/ Cluny style bobbin lace made in Puerto Rico/ Valencienne Bobbin lace/ Bedfordshire bobbin lace/ Cluny bobbin lace intersertion/ Torchon bobbin lace/ PT. dr Venise/ Honiton bobbin lace/ Cuny bobbin lace.

This box introduces students to the world of lace. Several types of lace are shown; an explanation on the tools used to make them is included. The two books, and one of the panels in this box, clarify how several lace making techniques are performed.

WHAT IS IT? Box J - (All Ages)

Contents: Information sheet Numbering Machine Japanese loofah Crochet hooks Collar and cuff button box Paper cup holder Baseball booklet Printer blocks Hat pins Spatter shield Button polisher Advertisements Baseball information sheet

Baseball Booklet- Rules and Regulations of the recently Invented Game of baseball The “What Is It?” box gives students a chance to guess the identity and use of unusual objects.

MARKET BASKET Box K - (K and Up)

Contents: Basket Grocery bag Advertisements Activity Information sheet This box helps students understand through the use of advertisements how the trip to the grocery store has changed over time. COUNTIES Box L - (4th grade and Up)

Contents: Alabama County Data Book, 1992-1993 Maps of Alabama 1800-1903 Famous Alabama Personalities County Fact Sheet County Seats Counties Activity Sheets Where Did Alabama Counties Get Their Name?

The objective of this box is to provide activities which are developmentally appropriate for a wide range of cognitive levels, from the most basic to the more intellectually challenging. It will educate visitors of all ages about factual information concerning the 67 counties of Alabama.

QUILTS Box M - (All Ages)

Contents: Let’s Quilt Alabama and Stuff it Topographically by Carole Marsh Star Quilts by Mary Elizabeth Quilts: A Window to the Past by Victoria Hoffman Cotton Country Quilts by Mary Elizabeth Johnson Huff “Boy with Fishing Pole” quilt square 4 pieces of quilts Quilt activity envelope Quilt Squares examples Published articles about Alabama quilts 1 Ziploc bag with shapes

This box allows students to see and feel actual quilts and quilt squares; learn pattern names and folklore associated with quilts; observe color, designs and materials used to make quilts; and draw or paste paper or fabric to create their own quilt design. Several reference books are also provided.

FASHION Box N - (K and Up)

Contents: Activity envelopes 1 bag of patterns Pictures Historic Communities: 19th Century Clothing American Mail Order Fashions: 1880-1900 and Nineteenth Century Clothing, by Chandler Press “American Clothing: Then and Now,” Cobblestone “The Mill Girls: From Farm to Factories,” Cobblestone “Solemates: The Century in Shoes” binder Paper dolls: “Martin Luther King, Jr. and His Family” and “American Family of the 1890s” Advertisements Alabama Heritage: Swimsuit Issue This box shows how fashion has changed over the years through numerous pictures of fashionable clothing from the late 1800s to the present. It also contains an activity sheet which utilizes paper dolls to determine the correct time sequence of fashions from the oldest to the most recent.

STRETCH YOUR THINKING Box O - (K and Up)

Contents: 1 sweater and stretcher 1 glove and stretcher 1 sock and stretcher 1 pair of shoes and stretcher Activity sheets

Box O introduces the student to stretchers, common household items at one time which helped keep a laundered object properly shaped, often reducing the amount of ironing required. This box teaches the student about this lost activity and causes them to think about changes brought by technology.

CEMETERIES Box P - (3rd grade and Up)

Contents: 1 information sheet 1 rubbing activity Activity sheets 1 box of crayons Monument Certification binder Alabama Governors: Then and Now “Alabama’s Legendary Tombstones” binder Alabama Cemeteries 1 video: Preserving Cemeteries

Through headstone rubbings and other activities, Box P explores cemeteries as treasure chests of historical information.

ALABAMA STATEHOOD Box Q - (6th grade and Up)

Contents: Teacher Resource Kit Alabama Timeline 2 maps of Alabama “Stars and Stripes for Alabama” press release 1819 Constitution Signatures of the Constitution Quill Envelope from James Monroe

Students will learn how Alabama became a state. Facts on Alabama, a copy of the 1819 constitution, a map of the Alabama Territory and an information sheet about the state’s governing procedures are included. This box also provides teachers with Huntsville Constitution Village, resource kit on Alabama’s statehood. Also includes an article “The Stars and Stripes for Alabama,” about President Monroe’s surprise visit to the new state. ALABAMA’S FIRST LADIES Box R - (4th grade and Up)

Contents: 7 foam board prints Pictures Articles Questions and Answers List of Governors and Spouses

A fact sheet, question sheet, flash cards and newspaper articles provide an introduction to the First Ladies of Alabama, as well as the governors and executive mansions.

OLYMPIC BOX Box S - (3rd grade and Up)

Contents: “Olympic Day in the Schools” binder Time Machine Time Jesse Owens by Tom Gentry Alabama’s Olympians Jesse Owens: Olympic Hero by Francene Sabin Jesse Owens: Biographical Sketch Audio cassette: The Sound and Spirit Sampler

The Olympics box was developed so students can learn about many of Alabama’s famous Olympic athletes. The box includes a list of Alabama medalists. It also contains magazines, articles, photographs and quizzes relating to the history of the Olympics and the 1996 Summer Olympics.

VELCRO STICKEROOS! Box 1 - (All Ages)

Contents: Velcro Stickeroos Assorted Shapes

More advanced students can design a community. Other students might want to make words with the letters. Younger students benefit by receiving reinforcement of letters and numbers.

ART STAMPING Box 2 - (3rd grade and up)

Contents: 9 stamps Paper 6 ink pads Markers Cleaning cloths Information sheet

Many people do not realize that rubber stamps have been popular since the Civil War. This box provides students with a short history of rubber stamping and supplies needed to practice the rubber stamping art.

BATTERY-OPERATED FORTY NINER Box 3 - (All Ages)

Contents: 14 track sections 1 engine 1 caboose 4 train cars

A good box for train lovers and the younger set, its battery-operated engine gives off smoke!

COTTON ...From Fields to Fabric Box 4 - (K and Up)

Contents: Information Sheet Cotton card 3 photographs Cotton Cotton spindles “Craft of Spinning” binder

Students learn how cotton was picked, cleaned and made ready for spinning. Directions on how to card cotton are also included

WRITING Box 5 - (K & Up)

Contents: 5 Calligraphy pens Information sheet Ink well 1 Autograph book Writing advertisements Calligraphy tips 1 Old autograph book Cleaner Cloths

“Try your hand” at calligraphy and sign your name in the autograph book in this box. Learning the history of penmanship and its historical importance.

WAR GAME CARDS Box 6 - (4th grade and Up)

Contents: Civil War map game World War I map game “Civil War Wit” card game Major Battles and Campaigns of the Civil War

This box contains quiz cards and map games which teach about the Civil War and World War II.

RAILROADS Box 7- (K and Up)

Coming Soon!!!!!! PROJECTILE POINTS Box 8 - ( 1st grade & Up)

Contents: Information sheet Activity Sheets Video Indian Projectile Points & rocks

Students will learn the different types of arrowheads and spear points made by American Indians. An information sheet on the spear and arrow point types shows the differences between dove-tailed points and leaf points. Students are challenged to match the arrowheads with the respective shapes and give them their correct names.

INDIAN Box 9 - (K and Up)

Contents: Pottery pieces (shards) Information sheet Activity Sheet Clay Shells Cobs

This box shows how American Indians made designs on pottery. Included in this box are several pieces of pottery, each with a different design, and an information sheet explaining them.

WHAT ARE THE PARTS? Box 10 - (K and Up)

Contents: Pottery pieces(shards) Activity sheet Information sheet

Indian pottery is the focus of this Box, which contains American Indian pottery pieces. The object of the activity is to pick out the shards (pieces of broken American Indian pottery) and match them to the respective type clay pot. Answers are provided.

KOREAN WAR REMEMBERED Box 11 (6th and up)

Contents: Commemoration Program Ceremonial photographs Newspaper articles Sports Festival Honorees List Timeline of the Korean War Photographs Poem: “The War”

The things you will find in this box are articles and publications that were introduced around 1999 to the present. The Korean War was forgotten for so many years and is now remembered through this material. KOREAN WAR Box 12 (6th and up)

Contents: Alabama Medal of Honor Winners Alabamians who died during the Korean War Articles published during the war 16 total “Letters From a Soldier” “Cobblestone” The Korean War fall 99 and Cold War May 91 5 assorted News articles Flying cross fact sheet

Many things found in this box were published during the war, also special awards that were issued post war or during the years of commemoration. This box will give you a understanding of what the soldier encountered during this war.

KOREAN WAR SOLDIERS ATTIRE Box 13 (6th and up)

Contents: Helmet Pair of boots Canteen Cap Gloves 1st Aid Pack This box gives an example of the kinds of things that a soldier would have to wear during the Korean War. It also gives you a feeling of the weather, because they had to wear layers of clothing to keep warm.

V-MAIL Box 14- (3rd grade and up)

Contents: Mail 1 activity sheet 1 Time table V-Mail (blank for activity)

Many people are unfamiliar with V-Mail, although soldiers depended upon it for communication with loved ones even as far back as the Civil War! This box explains the history of V-mail, (mail sent from soldiers on the front to their loved ones back home), includes copies of some actual V-mail letters.

HORACE’S BRIO TRAINS Box 15 - (All Ages)

Contents: Block trains Carpet mat

Box 15 contains wooden trains, tracks, and accessories to create an imaginary rail environment. INAUGURATION Box 16 -(4th and up)

Contents: Articles Pictures Copy of Oath of Office Activity Information on State Bible George Wallace’s 1963 inaugural address

Inaugurations are a time of celebration, this box will give you a sense of this very special time. There are many different newspaper articles from different Governors Inaugurations.

IRONS Box 17 - (K and Up)

Contents: 2 irons and related items Activity sheets Advertisements

This box teaches students how the task of doing laundry was performed years ago. Several advertisements of irons, along with different types of irons, help students understand how difficult some jobs were without modern conveniences. An information and question sheet are supplied for reinforcement. CAMERAS Box 18 - (K and Up)

Contents: 7 cameras Envelope of camera extras “History of Box Cameras” Information sheet Envelope of camera advertisements

Box 18 helps you understand how cameras evolved over the years.

WWII HOME FRONT Box 19 - (6th grade and Up)

Contents: Cobblestone Port of Mobile News Powers of Persuasion SPANG folder Wartime Posters binder 13 foam board prints Articles Advertisements Pictures 1 audio cassette

This box provides an idea of what life was like on the Alabama home front during World War II. Ration stamps, war bonds sales, war industries and women workers are all discussed. This box will help students understand how different it was to live in the United States during wartime. WWII FRONT LINES Box 20 - (6th grade and Up)

Contents: Plane Spotter Bands Cap Boot covers Recognition Pictorial Manuel U.S. Naval Vessels Manual Highlights of World War II Silver Medal Certificates Biographies World War II Honor List World War II folder Tuskegee Airmen folder War Atlas News articles Cost Chart County casualties Maps and photographs 2 foam board pictures Alabama Medal of Honor Recipients Dixie’s War: The South and World War II World War II Act of Surrender 2 Cobblestone: “World War II: Americans in Europe” “World War II: Americans in the Pacific” “We Have Not Forgotten...Sidney ‘Dink’ Russell” binder

Included are sheets on the history of WWII, D-Day, how to sink a U-boat, Alabamians who served in the military (including Medal of Honor recipients) and two books about the war itself. Also provided are easy-to-understand lists of Allied and Axis countries.