GOWANDA, NY – Hands-on history came to life at Gowanda Elementary School this month as students in the Title VI program participated in a special wampum crafting workshop.
On March 5 and March 12, the district welcomed guest instructor Darice Sampson to share her extensive knowledge of wampum. During the after-school sessions, students learned about the cultural significance of the beads before diving into their own creative projects.
Using specialized clay beads designed to mimic the appearance of traditional shell wampum, each student meticulously crafted a bracelet. The workshop emphasized the “Four Cs”—Communication, Collaboration, Creativity, and Critical Thinking—as students worked together and mastered new techniques. Every participant was able to take their handmade bracelet home as a reminder of the experience.
