Fourth-graders at John F. Kennedy earned in-depth details about
Native American culture during a recent educational visit by student
Jesse Salto’s father, Joe Salto.
Salto, whose personal passion is studying the history and lifestyles of
Native Americans, displayed video imagery as well as Native American
artifacts, clothing and musical instruments to enlighten the class.
Using a large map of Long Island, which he noted was called “Paumonok”
by the local tribes, Salto showed the students the vast array of local
town names that derive from Native American words. He also described
making his own tepee in his backyard, using materials he found at Home
Depot, and discussed the true-life stories and names of such Native
American historical figures as Geronimo and Sacagawea.
“This was a great way to conclude the Native American unit that the
class has been exploring in social studies,” said teacher Keri
Inghilterra, whose class set up the visit.