Morenci fourth grade class studies voyageurs 3.19 Students in
Ruth Marlatt’s class at Morenci Elementary School started off
their study of 18th century voyageurs with a book, but the
experience didn’t end there. The fourth grade students tasted a
lot of voyageur food before wrapping up the segment last week.
Students read the historic novel “The Young Voyageur” by Dirk
Gringhis, a story that centers around Fort Michilimackinac in
what is now Mackinaw City. The students explained that voyageurs
explored large areas of northern territory collecting furs, both
from trapping animals and trading with the native population.
The fur trade was fashion driven, Mrs. Marlatt said, with furs
shipped back to Europe to be made into clothing. When on the
open water, the voyageurs sang songs to coordinate the paddling
of their large canoes. When water ran out along rivers, or when
they came to impediments, they lifted their canoes and portaged
their loads on foot. Students took turns working together to
create food items com