Staff Report

GAFFNEY — Studying a battle that lasted less than 30 minutes gave Newberry Elementary School fourth graders weeks of learning opportunities that culminated in a Nov. 6 field study to the Cowpens National Battlefield.

While there, students engaged in a map demonstration that explained the actual Revolutionary War battle fought in South Carolina. The map lit up and showed the students exactly where and how the battle took place. A re-enactment video also helped history come to life and gave the students more insight into that time period in our nation.

“This trip connected to Living History because we got to actually view what the Battle of Cowpens may have been like through a re-enactment video with actors which allowed us to better understand the events of the Revolutionary War,” student Sanaia Davis said.

The trip also built upon knowledge the children acquired last school year.

“The Cowpens National Battlefield Field Study reviewed the American Revolutionary War that we learned all about in third grade, and gave us extra information about the specific Battle of Cowpens which lasted less than 30 minutes,” said student Laura Pacheco.

Students toured the facility and learned at their own pace at times, but at other times there were group activities, such as the non-firing weapon demonstration that students could participate in. The demonstration gave NES students a chance to try something new but also to blend new knowledge with old.

Fourth grader Evan Sosa said the trip related well to the NES Character Skill of creativity.

“A 21st Century skill I saw in action from Ranger Caldwell was creativity because he demonstrated how to fire the weapons while not actually firing them (Non-firing Weapons Demonstration),” Sosa said.

Students learned that a Revolutionary War era cannon could fire up to eight football fields. They also learned more about the class structure of the battle participants, be they continentals, militiamen or soldiers.

The discipline of the soldiers left an impression on student Eric Perez Campos.

“One of the 21st Century skills I saw in action was self-direction because we were allowed to tour the Visitor’s Center to view displays on our own,” Campos said. “We also had to apply self-discipline to be quiet while touring and understanding what was on display related to the Battle of Cowpens during the Revolutionary War.”