February 18, 2025 at 3:19 AM
9 years ago, a 6th grade student carved my likeness in butter after learning about Princess Kay of the Milky Way when doing a #MNstudies unit on the State Fair. In honor of the @mnstatefair starting today, I share Butter Westy again.
August 24, 2023 at 10:00 PM
9 years ago, a 6th grade student carved my likeness in butter after learning about Princess Kay of the Milky Way when doing a #MNstudies unit on the State Fair. In honor of the @mnstatefair starting today, I share Butter Westy again.
I drove up to the outside, was taking pictures, and a worker asked what I was doing. I told him I wanted to take a few pictures to show my #MNstudies students.
The guy walkied down to his supervisor and the supervisor said back, "Let him in so he can take a look around."
It was surreal.
The guy walkied down to his supervisor and the supervisor said back, "Let him in so he can take a look around."
It was surreal.
January 19, 2025 at 4:25 PM
I drove up to the outside, was taking pictures, and a worker asked what I was doing. I told him I wanted to take a few pictures to show my #MNstudies students.
The guy walkied down to his supervisor and the supervisor said back, "Let him in so he can take a look around."
It was surreal.
The guy walkied down to his supervisor and the supervisor said back, "Let him in so he can take a look around."
It was surreal.
It appears I'll be 3 shy of a blackout on my #SSPMSpackers #MNstudies Summer Bingo. How did you do this summer?
September 4, 2023 at 3:42 PM
It appears I'll be 3 shy of a blackout on my #SSPMSpackers #MNstudies Summer Bingo. How did you do this summer?
My 6th hour design included an unfinished tipi w/lights that would shine at night inward towards the tipi. Memorial benches near the giant buffalo hide (that honors the Dakota 38) around the medicine wheel would recognize the 500+ settlers that died. #MNstudies #SSPMSpackers
March 12, 2025 at 8:40 PM
My 6th hour design included an unfinished tipi w/lights that would shine at night inward towards the tipi. Memorial benches near the giant buffalo hide (that honors the Dakota 38) around the medicine wheel would recognize the 500+ settlers that died. #MNstudies #SSPMSpackers
Long Thread 🧵
We spent a lot of time learning about the U.S. - Dakota War in our #SSPMSpackers #MNstudies class before talking about monuments, memorials & commemorations. One of our goals was to redesign Reconciliation Park in Mankato, MN. We needed to learn what was there & why.
We spent a lot of time learning about the U.S. - Dakota War in our #SSPMSpackers #MNstudies class before talking about monuments, memorials & commemorations. One of our goals was to redesign Reconciliation Park in Mankato, MN. We needed to learn what was there & why.
March 12, 2025 at 8:35 PM
Long Thread 🧵
We spent a lot of time learning about the U.S. - Dakota War in our #SSPMSpackers #MNstudies class before talking about monuments, memorials & commemorations. One of our goals was to redesign Reconciliation Park in Mankato, MN. We needed to learn what was there & why.
We spent a lot of time learning about the U.S. - Dakota War in our #SSPMSpackers #MNstudies class before talking about monuments, memorials & commemorations. One of our goals was to redesign Reconciliation Park in Mankato, MN. We needed to learn what was there & why.
Tomorrow, my #MNstudies students will be listening to Little War on the Prairie from This American Life and Scene on Radio as we set up our culminating project. If you don't know much about the Dakota 38+2, the U.S. Dakota War, &/or how I build the unit in my classroom, this is a good starting point
March 9, 2025 at 2:28 PM
Tomorrow, my #MNstudies students will be listening to Little War on the Prairie from This American Life and Scene on Radio as we set up our culminating project. If you don't know much about the Dakota 38+2, the U.S. Dakota War, &/or how I build the unit in my classroom, this is a good starting point
It's the final day of summer vacation. How did your #MNstudies Summer Bingo go?
Can I visit a state park in North Dakota, or California, or Missouri? Does the historic site have to be IN Minnesota. Gosh, no! I'm just happy you are out and about trying to accomplish different things!
Can I visit a state park in North Dakota, or California, or Missouri? Does the historic site have to be IN Minnesota. Gosh, no! I'm just happy you are out and about trying to accomplish different things!
September 1, 2025 at 2:50 PM
It's the final day of summer vacation. How did your #MNstudies Summer Bingo go?
Can I visit a state park in North Dakota, or California, or Missouri? Does the historic site have to be IN Minnesota. Gosh, no! I'm just happy you are out and about trying to accomplish different things!
Can I visit a state park in North Dakota, or California, or Missouri? Does the historic site have to be IN Minnesota. Gosh, no! I'm just happy you are out and about trying to accomplish different things!
Visit a statue of a person or animal ✔️
Why not visit a statue of a person AND an animal!?! St. Urho the Grasshopper Vanquisher in Menahga, Minnesota.
#MNstudies Summer Bingo
Why not visit a statue of a person AND an animal!?! St. Urho the Grasshopper Vanquisher in Menahga, Minnesota.
#MNstudies Summer Bingo
June 16, 2025 at 12:26 AM
Visit a statue of a person or animal ✔️
Why not visit a statue of a person AND an animal!?! St. Urho the Grasshopper Vanquisher in Menahga, Minnesota.
#MNstudies Summer Bingo
Why not visit a statue of a person AND an animal!?! St. Urho the Grasshopper Vanquisher in Menahga, Minnesota.
#MNstudies Summer Bingo
#SSPMSpackers #MNstudies Reconciliation Park Redesign.
March 12, 2025 at 8:49 PM
#SSPMSpackers #MNstudies Reconciliation Park Redesign.
#SSPMSpackers #MNstudies Reconciliation Park Redesign.
March 12, 2025 at 8:49 PM
#SSPMSpackers #MNstudies Reconciliation Park Redesign.
#SSPMSpackers #MNstudies Reconciliation Park Redesign.
March 12, 2025 at 8:48 PM
#SSPMSpackers #MNstudies Reconciliation Park Redesign.
#SSPMSpackers #MNstudies Reconciliation Park Redesign.
March 12, 2025 at 8:47 PM
#SSPMSpackers #MNstudies Reconciliation Park Redesign.
I really like the creativity my #SSPMSpackers #MNstudies students had! One design has two hands (Dakota and German immigrants) holding each other in a sign of reconciliation. Another has a compass/wind come feature using medicine wheel colors. Reconciliation Park redesign.
March 12, 2025 at 8:47 PM
I really like the creativity my #SSPMSpackers #MNstudies students had! One design has two hands (Dakota and German immigrants) holding each other in a sign of reconciliation. Another has a compass/wind come feature using medicine wheel colors. Reconciliation Park redesign.
Eagle feathers were common in many Reconciliation Park redesigns as well. Several students included a statute to Little Crow or borrowed the Winter Warrior statue from across the street at the Blue Earth County Library. #SSPMSpackers #MNstudies
March 12, 2025 at 8:46 PM
Eagle feathers were common in many Reconciliation Park redesigns as well. Several students included a statute to Little Crow or borrowed the Winter Warrior statue from across the street at the Blue Earth County Library. #SSPMSpackers #MNstudies
Fire pits were also a common addition for many #SSPMSpackers #MNstudies students as part of their Reconciliation Park redesign.
March 12, 2025 at 8:45 PM
Fire pits were also a common addition for many #SSPMSpackers #MNstudies students as part of their Reconciliation Park redesign.
Keeping the buffalo, which was dedicated at Reconciliation Park in 1997, was also a popular design element for my #SSPMSpackers #MNstudies students.
March 12, 2025 at 8:44 PM
Keeping the buffalo, which was dedicated at Reconciliation Park in 1997, was also a popular design element for my #SSPMSpackers #MNstudies students.
The medicine wheel was also a favorite for most of my #SSPMSpackers #MNstudies students in their Reconciliation Park redesign. Nearly all designs incorporated one in some way or another.
March 12, 2025 at 8:44 PM
The medicine wheel was also a favorite for most of my #SSPMSpackers #MNstudies students in their Reconciliation Park redesign. Nearly all designs incorporated one in some way or another.
Multiple students this year incorporated some sort of stage or amphitheater so the Dakota could hold ceremonies and the community could hold some sort of "history lesson gatherings" as several students phrased it. #SSPMSpackers #MNstudies
March 12, 2025 at 8:43 PM
Multiple students this year incorporated some sort of stage or amphitheater so the Dakota could hold ceremonies and the community could hold some sort of "history lesson gatherings" as several students phrased it. #SSPMSpackers #MNstudies
Here's another #SSPMSpackers #MNstudies student design. Again, the symbolism and reasoning with these Reconciliation Park redesign were very thoughtful.
March 12, 2025 at 8:42 PM
Here's another #SSPMSpackers #MNstudies student design. Again, the symbolism and reasoning with these Reconciliation Park redesign were very thoughtful.
Some of the Reconciliation Park student redesigns where amazing! I was blown away with the creativity and symbolism. #SSPMSpackers #MNstudies
March 12, 2025 at 8:41 PM
Some of the Reconciliation Park student redesigns where amazing! I was blown away with the creativity and symbolism. #SSPMSpackers #MNstudies
Here's what I created for 4th period after an #MNstudies student wanted to somehow incorporate the internment site near Fort Snelling at Bdote. Another student suggested 19 lights (1 light for 2 of the Dakota that were hanged in Mankato.) I incorporate them in the island.
March 12, 2025 at 8:39 PM
Here's what I created for 4th period after an #MNstudies student wanted to somehow incorporate the internment site near Fort Snelling at Bdote. Another student suggested 19 lights (1 light for 2 of the Dakota that were hanged in Mankato.) I incorporate them in the island.
Here is my design for 2nd period. Again, my designs were based off of my #MNstudies students' suggestions for what Reconciliation Park's redesign should incorporate.
March 12, 2025 at 8:38 PM
Here is my design for 2nd period. Again, my designs were based off of my #MNstudies students' suggestions for what Reconciliation Park's redesign should incorporate.
Here's a look at some of my redesigns and student work as part of our Reconciliation Park Redesign project.
(Sorry the thread is in X-Twitter. I need to find a new home for them. x.com/MarkJWestpfa...)
(Sorry the thread is in X-Twitter. I need to find a new home for them. x.com/MarkJWestpfa...)
Mark J. Westpfahl on X: "Thread 🧵 We spent a lot of time learning about the U.S. - Dakota War in our #SSPMSpackers #MNstudies class before talking about monuments, memorials & commemorations. One of our goals was to redesign Reconciliation Park in Mankato, MN. We needed to learn what was there & why. https://t.co/OMPE9YQMt6" / X
Thread 🧵 We spent a lot of time learning about the U.S. - Dakota War in our #SSPMSpackers #MNstudies class before talking about monuments, memorials & commemorations. One of our goals was to redesign Reconciliation Park in Mankato, MN. We needed to learn what was there & why. https://t.co/OMPE9YQMt6
x.com
March 9, 2025 at 3:33 PM
Here's a look at some of my redesigns and student work as part of our Reconciliation Park Redesign project.
(Sorry the thread is in X-Twitter. I need to find a new home for them. x.com/MarkJWestpfa...)
(Sorry the thread is in X-Twitter. I need to find a new home for them. x.com/MarkJWestpfa...)
We'll be working on treaties in #MNstudies this week. A couple years ago, I mentioned that Alexander Ramsey looks an awful lot like McConaughey. Most of my students didn't know who he was (😢), and most of the others didn't see the resemblance.
How about old Alexander Ramsey and Alec Baldwin?
How about old Alexander Ramsey and Alec Baldwin?
January 19, 2025 at 4:15 PM
We'll be working on treaties in #MNstudies this week. A couple years ago, I mentioned that Alexander Ramsey looks an awful lot like McConaughey. Most of my students didn't know who he was (😢), and most of the others didn't see the resemblance.
How about old Alexander Ramsey and Alec Baldwin?
How about old Alexander Ramsey and Alec Baldwin?