Tuesday, July 16, 2013

The AELP is movin' and shakin'!

The AELP travelled to the National Historic Landmark Canterbury Shaker Village today to learn about some of America's original innovators!

Continuing the exploration into the week's theme of Science and Technology, the students of AELP were introduced to some original machinery and ingenuity invented by the Shakers starting over 200 years ago.  Our incredibly knowledgeable and funny guide, Roger, took the time to answer the students' questions about the systems the Shakers put in place to be the most efficient community possible.

Roger gets the tour started for the AELP students!
The Shakers followed the motto of their founder, Mother Ann, who said, "Hands to Work, Hearts to God." She believed that the ability to do work (and hard work at that) was a gift from God.  So, the Shakers endeavored to work as much as possible and as efficiently as they could to allow for more work time and worship time.
AELP students learned the Shaker classroom way: on chalkboards!
Just a small sampling of their inventions include the circular saw, the clothespin, the peg, the flat broom, and the wheel-driven washing machine.  They were also talented cloak, clothing, hat, and furniture makers.
Julia and Ellie, both from Russia, look beautiful in Shaker sister hats!

Filippo, from Italy, admires Rudolf's stylish hat!
Roger also led the students into one of the Shakers' workshops where the Shakers had made their famous oval boxes.  
In the Shaker workshop!
Coco, from China, shows off her handiwork!
The AELP students and staff would like to thank Canterbury Shaker Village and our guide, Roger, for welcoming us into the fold of the Shaker community, sharing their history, and letting us walk the grounds of this National Historic Landmark!



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