When I get asked to make presentations throughout the US, I am always honored and humbled that someone is interested in my work. I also get a little gitty in that I get to become a tourist. Yes, there are times I will barricade myself in the hotel room for shorter trips. Then there are other times where I might head there early just to be a tourist. I love to see Americana. I love to visit independent bookstores. I love eating local food (Subway sandwiches can get old). I love to see what our great country has to offer from the obvious to the obscure.
One of my journeys landed me in Terre Haute, Indiana. This is a town that prides itself on a few things. Did you know that Terre Haute is the birthplace of the Coca-Cola glass bottle, the home of baking soda Clabber Girl, and the home of Indiana State University where the great Larry Bird got the start of his basketball career? This is only a few facts that make Terre Haute a wonderful place full of friendly people.
Terre Haute Indiana – the birthplace of the Coca Cola glass bottle.
However, on viewing Google Maps and planning my journey…I discovered Casey, Illinois. Casey Illinois is another small town about an hour west of Terre Haute. It’s called the Small Town with Big Things. This unique tourist destination intrigued me and so I ventured out.
First of all, I left my hotel at 8am and somehow arrived at Casey around 8am. WHY? Two different time zones. It was freaking me out. I thought something was wrong with my rental car. Too funny.
Before I wandered around the town, I stopped by Casey Coffee Company for my morning cup of tea (I totally recommend this place). I started asking about how the whole big things came about. The ladies told me that when the interstate was built, the town was becoming run-down. One gentleman by the name of Jim had a business in town and had this idea. Building big things (some world record holders!) would be a way to bring back people into town. And it worked!!! This is a town that doesn’t mind tourists. The ladies I met told me to go explore the inside of the mailbox. They will be happy to hand you a map and you are off and away.
Check out some pictures. And this isn’t nearly everything that they had.
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- World’s biggest mailbox
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- Golf club
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- pencil
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- knitting needles
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- taco
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- mousetrap
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- car key
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- bird cage
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- wind chime
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- swizzle spoon
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- antlers
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- gavel (in the town of Marshall)
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- How tall is the rocking chair if Kristen is 5ft 10 in?
And you are probably asking yourself…what does this have to with math? Students need to be exposed to estimation. These are engaging things that students can estimate. Who would believe that there is a rocking chair that is 56 feet tall? Or a ruler that is actually 36 feet in length (versus an actual yardstick that is 36 inches in length). I debated whether they should have called it a big ruler versus yardstick. We live in mathematized worlds. Besides estimation, kids could do proportion, ratio, and scaling.
In a town that prides itself on its’ big things….it should also pride itself on math opportunities!
Casey, Illinois–thank you for your hospitality. It was a delight to visit your BIG STUFF!
Until next time,
Kristen