They arrived, not quite sure what to expect, to be greeted by friendly ladies in traditional clothes, as those worn by the Voortrekkers – complete from under-dresses to overdresses and cloth hats. The Pioneer museum has been established on the farm where one of the Voortrekkers, David Botha, settled in 1846, with some of the original structures still in place. 

Students spent their visit guided to the various parts of the museum that form part of the different educational tours the museum presents. On this day, the programme is adapted to accommodate the students to be able to present as much information possible. This allows the students to experience a few hours filled with many real-life learning opportunities in order to stimulate their thinking of how to incorporate such activities into their classrooms’ learning programme. 

During each part of the tour one aspect of the early settlers daily lives is explained. While taking part in or learning about our country’s history, students were given ideas of how the activities provided at the museum could fit into a classroom curriculum. Students learnt how the farmers processed grain to make flour, took part in making butter and bread and witnessed how candles were made. Other parts of the tour included learning about transport the Voortrekkers used, what the children used for toys, how they took care of their animals and how various family members participated in the daily tasks of living. 

All the ideas of the day could now be brought together in the form of a worksheet and a mind map over a treat of divine smelling freshly baked bread – made in the wood burning stove on the premises – and what else but boerewors fresh off the fire. The assignment completed by the students served as a summary of the day, linking it to the academic world of theory in teaching in the Social sciences, through bringing together the 36 learning outcomes in the National Curriculum Statement and possible classroom activities that could precede/follow a visit to the Pioneer museum by Foundation Phase learners. The day was certainly thoroughly enjoyed by all.