history- omaha childrens museum（历史——奥马哈儿童博物馆）（19页）.docVIP

Education Guide History The VOICES of the pioneers who witnessed the blizzard of 1888 are strong and powerful. The history kiosk will help us share the stories of inspiration that make history come alive. We will take a look at the events of that destructive day. Just as the storm took people off-guard, history proves that weather is not as predictable as we might think. Very few Native Americans died during the storm. How did they know the blizzard was about to hit? A fun look at weather folklore that has been passed on through generations will help to balance the heroic and heartfelt stories we hear from the Schoolchildren’s Blizzard. Lesson 1 - Folklore The Native Americans watch not only the skies but paid attention to all nature to help them predict what might happen each season. Throughout history and still today, people try to understand, predict and control weather. Before modern day methods of predicting the weather, other methods were used. The Babylonians predicted weather from cloud patterns in 650 B.C. Aristotle described weather patterns in Meteorologica in 340 B.C. Native Americans tried to control or influence the weather with prayers, incantations, smoking or burning tobacco, using charms or dancing. Most methods of forecasting were based on observation (eyes and senses) and experiences with observing patterns (”If ___ happens, then ___ will happen”). These are not always reliable or true. Farmers, shepherds, sailors and hunters (people whose lives depended on the weather) relied on folklore to predict the weather. Farmers and shepherds watched the animals, clouds and the color of the sky. Sailors observed the wind and the motion of the waves. Hunters observed insects and animal behavior. Folklore was often made into rhymes to make them more memorable as they were passed on over generations. Discuss these folktales and proverbs with your class. Use the internet and science books to see if you can find out t