People Are People: A Look at the Plum Bayou Indians

I, for one, am a huge supporter of our State and National Park Systems.  My family and I frequent our Arkansas State Parks and love every opportunity we get to visit parks both close to home and far away.  We depend on Park Interpreters to teach us about nature and our past. My brother-in-law Jon Hutto, a 2003 South Side Alumni, is a Park Interpreter at Toltec Mounds Archeological State Park and I couldn't be prouder of him. He does a great job bringing history to life.

Interpreter Hutto likes to say, "People are people no matter when or where they lived."  

Mr. Hutto addresses Mr. Tanner's 11th grade AP U.S. History clas

This is certainly true of the Plum Bayou people that lived and built mounds right outside of Little Rock thousands of years ago.  What we know about these people is based on the ongoing archeological and interpretive endeavors at the Toltec Mounds Archeological State Park.  In short, professionals make educated guesses about what life was like for these people using evidence gathered at the site.

FACS Teacher Mrs. Rooney, attempts hunting with a blow gun

According to evidence, the Plum Bayou people were not so different than us.  They lived, loved, ate, danced, and on hot days by Mound Lake, a small child would even fashion their hair out of their eyes with a "bone" barrette.

Mr. Hutto talks about his Career with Mrs. Rooney's CO class

The mounds were a gathering site for ceremonies and festivals that the modern day Quapaw Indians are still allowed to use.  In fact, the Quapaw are the only people allowed to wander freely on the mounds during their ceremonies several times a year.

Mrs. Hutto demonstrates spear hunting

There are still things we don't know about the Plum Bayou people, such as why they left that area so long ago, but thanks to Mr. Hutto and the work of archeologists, we now know what kind of houses they built (hint: not tepees) and what tools they used to hunt with. Students were able to handle actual artifacts that the Plum Bayou people used.  That is a pretty neat experience.

Uncle Jon with his 5th grade niece, Blair

Mr. Hutto spoke to the 5th and 6th graders, Mrs. Rooney's 8th grade Career Orientation class, and our 11th grade AP U.S. History class.  We thank him for sharing his time and knowledge with us.

For more information on Toltec, such as hours of operation and guided tours, click the link below.

Toltec Mounds Archeological State Park

Until Next Time,

Amy Hutto, LMS
South Side High School

Flo G's Testing Experience

           I clipped my flag-football belt around my waist, wondering who could be eliminated first. 

The names were being called, one by one. Taylor emerged from the equipment room with an automatic Nerf gun. Great. Four of the six people were called, until finally, “Flossie.” I walked nervously into the small room, anticipating the weapons. Foam nun chucks. No. Silly string….maybe. A long, foam sword. Possibly. Well, those were my three choices. 

Defense was what I needed, so I chose the most obvious ones.

          The first candidate was dropped off by the pre-school, behind a parked car. Taylor, by a tree. Luke, my alliance, in a dugout. Me, partially hidden behind the larger concession stand.  Bo, in the baseball field bleachers. Handling my foam sword and Silly Spray, I took in a deep breath. I waited for the last candidate to be dropped off, then “GO!”

          I had set up a plan the previous day- Make an alliance with Luke and Mary, fellow 7^th graders.  Meet in the softball dugout. Run to the high school library, our designated finish line. Win. But unfortunately, there was no time for that now. 

       There were footsteps-quick ones-coming my way. I dashed into the tall weeds nestled behind the concession stand, to find a pursuer. I gasped, sure that I would be eliminated there and then. But I had no such luck-It was Luke, my alliance, the one to aid me in crossing the border to the library. I signaled for him to come on, and then we turned the corner. There we found Bo sprinting toward the playground. I considered whether or not to follow, because he would be an easier target to catch, but Luke countered. I motioned for him to follow me, racing to the scorekeeper’s tower, a shed-sized, two-story building. We peeked around the corner, but our vision was blocked by bleachers. I walked around the back of the structure, trying the door. It was open. 

         We tramped up the stairs after scanning the floor for supplies. Nope, just trash. As I cleared the final step, I scanned the field for competitors. Almost every single one was there, racing towards the playground. I caught my breath while Luke tied his shoe, and then we headed out.

          We ran along the outside border of the baseball field, the long way. But less enemies. Suddenly, there was a rustling in the trees along the pavement. I froze, as did Luke. I said, quietly, “Get down.” We crouched as the rustling came again, and then I caught sight of the danger-a bunny. I laughed, and then we raced around the corner, to a clump of tall weeds. I crouched behind them, seeing at least two candidates who had failed the first or second tests-they were set out to prevent us from winning. But Mary, my other alliance, was one of these people. Luke and I ran up to the auditorium, to be greeted by “AHHHHHGHH!” and a Kyle lashing out at us. 

I pointed my readied sword at his chest, and put a menacing look on my face. 

“Stop,” I said, “If you move, I’ll get you.” He nodded sharply, and we set off to be greeted by two more, one was Mary. “Floss,” she breathed. “We were supposed to meet at the dugout!” I shook my head. “We couldn’t, we were being chased.” She nodded understandingly. 

         We headed to the back door of the high school building, stopping at the corner. The four or five Candidates we had picked up went ahead and opened the locked door, notifying that it had been done. I entered the building cautiously, my sword at the ready. Right around the corner, there were to previously-eliminated Candidates. I whacked the first one, and the second one put up her hand. “Do it quick.” She said. I whacked her anyway. We ran down the first hallway, skidding as we entered the library by the side door. We did it. We finished. We won! I sauntered up to Dr. Rooney, who was in charge of keeping up with the Candidates. I had finished the Testing, in Fourth place…behind Bo, Taylor, and the girl who was dropped off by the pre-school. The only Candidate still out there was Timmy. I begged Dr. Rooney to let me chase him down, and she agreed.

 I dashed outside with my Silly String ready... 

About the author:

Flossie is a 7th grader at South Side High School.  She enjoys reading--especially fiction. She also participates in softball, Quiz Bowl, Mutts club, and book club. She is a big-time animal lover, and loves being around dogs. She also enjoys writing her own stories.

Taking it to the Limit with The Testing

The Testing by Joelle Charbonneau is a thrilling mash up of The Giver and The Hunger Games. For the first time, I decided that one book club meeting would not be enough to capture the fun and potential of this trilogy.  It was then that the idea of conducting my own "Testing" came to mind...

Welcome to the Testing Center.

“Every year the United Commonwealth reviews the achievements of the graduates in all 18 colonies. The top students from that pool of graduates are brought to Tosu City for Testing to attend the University.  Being chosen is an honor.  The graduates of the university are our great hope—the ones we are all counting on to help regenerate the earth and improve our quality of life.  They are future scientists, doctors, teachers, and government officials.

You have been chosen for the testing.

It is the highest honor a young person can receive. A select group of you will be selected to attend the University and learn to rebuild the world. From this group The government will chose it’s future leaders. Everything is part of the test. You are being watched at all times. Some of you won’t be able to take the pressure."

My name is Dr. Amy Hutto.  

"I speak for myself and my colleagues when I say we are honored to have you here. You are here because you are the best and the brightest.  On your shoulders rest the hopes of everyone in the Commonwealth.  Here among you are the future leaders of our country.  All leaders must be tested, which is the process you will begin today.”

"There is only one question you need to answer…

Who can you trust?"

Round 1

The Testing consists of 3 parts. Over the next few school days, you will sit for the written exam. This will consist of an exam of your general knowledge. After this test, 5 of you will be eliminated.

Kahoot General Knowledge Quiz ranked students on not only correct answers, but how quickly they answered them.

Round 2

Sixteen Testing candidates remain. Six will remain after the officials discuss performance in this group challenge.

One person in your group must be chosen to complete each of the following challenges.  In this phase, wrong answers are penalized. Raise your hand when you have finished the current test. You have five minutes to decide who will do what challenge.

1.       Jigsaw Puzzle

2.       Sudoku

Testing Official Dr. Smith looks on as Jesslyn tests on Sudoku

3.       20 push ups in a row

4.       Lego vehicle (Ingenuity and funcitionality)

5.       Science Test (Outer Space)

Round 3

Congratulations to all of you for making it to the third round of Testing. There were 21 candidates in this year’s Testing class. Six of you remain. Today will begin the longest phase of our Testing--the practical examination. University students are the future leaders of the United Commonwealth.  Because some of you in this room will soon be designated as among those leaders, we believe it is necessary for you to understand fully the challenges you will face.  You will travel to a non-revitalized part of the country and be placed in a designated starting location. When the Test begins, you must then find your way from that location back to Tosu City (SSHS Library).  Those who return will be given a passing grade and will qualify for the final evaluation period. That evaluation will determine the candidates who will attend the University.

All original candidates (the redirected helped in the final round)

"Each candidate will begin the test independent of each other.  That does not mean you have to remain alone.  You may chose to team up with other candidates. You may also choose to impair the progress of your fellow candidates in order to ensure that you obtain a passing grade before them.  What choices you make during the test will be considered in your final evaluations. Any candidate who leaves the Testing area at any time will be given a failing grade. Please do not make us enforce this rule.” (p. 134-135)

Finalist Tim flees an enemy

“Each testing candidate is allowed 2 minutes to select two additional items to help you successfully complete the test.  Names will be drawn to see who chooses first. Choose carefully.  Your choices mean the difference between success and failure.  Of course, I doubt you would have made it this far if you hadn’t figured this out.” (p. 137)

Junior, Beau P. takes first place (second from right)

Other Rules:

The candidates will be ranked in the order they arrive at Tosu City with their flags in tact.  (A Testing official will be recording this data.)

Flags must be clipped around the waist.  It cannot be tied or fastened where it cannot be pulled off.

STAY TUNED...

The next blog post will be written by a South Side student who will write based on her experiences in the final round of The Testing.

Until Next Time,
Amy Hutto, LMS
South Side High School

Works Cited:

Charbonneau, Joelle. The Testing. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2013. Print.