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Sunday, July 31, 2011
Thursday, July 28, 2011
End of July
Wow!
I just spent an incredible week in Virginia at the Colonial Williamsburg Teacher Institute (CWTI). The week started at the very beginnings of "United States" history with a day at historic Jamestowne. And, yes, that's spelled correctly…at least that's how it was spelled in 1607. In grade school, my teachers always talked about Plymouth, Massachusetts. There's nothing wrong with learning about the Pilgrims, etc. But there's much more to our history than Plymouth.
Jamestowne was the first permanent English settlement in North America, yet there was very little ever taught about Jamestowne. I really don't know what's included in our 5th grade social studies textbooks, but my 5th graders will definitely learn about Jamestowne.
After the day at Jamestowne, there were a few days spent in and around Colonial Williamsburg. We heard from every class of people that lived in Williamsburg; African slaves, indentured slaves, tradesmen, merchants, middling sort, and gentry. A great deal of time was devoted to government, along with Loyalist and Patriotic views of independence for the colonies.
The week ended at Yorktowne, at Surrender Field. At 2:00 PM on October 19, 1781, Cornwallis' forces marched down Hampton Road to this field and surrendered to American and French forces, ending the American Revolutionary War. (Although, fighting continued until the Treaty of Paris was signed in 1783.) Being at Surrender Field was very emotional. It gave me a greater appreciation for the sacrifices that were made to make the United States a free nation.
The teachers had access to many primary source materials including merchants' ledgers, county records, and the journals of soldiers and citizens of Williamsburg. We heard from many well-known people, as well as ordinary citizens through live interpreters.
I look forward to translating much of what I encountered, into meaningful experiences for the students.
God Bless…
I just spent an incredible week in Virginia at the Colonial Williamsburg Teacher Institute (CWTI). The week started at the very beginnings of "United States" history with a day at historic Jamestowne. And, yes, that's spelled correctly…at least that's how it was spelled in 1607. In grade school, my teachers always talked about Plymouth, Massachusetts. There's nothing wrong with learning about the Pilgrims, etc. But there's much more to our history than Plymouth.
Jamestowne was the first permanent English settlement in North America, yet there was very little ever taught about Jamestowne. I really don't know what's included in our 5th grade social studies textbooks, but my 5th graders will definitely learn about Jamestowne.
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| Miss Ladwig in the pillory! |
The week ended at Yorktowne, at Surrender Field. At 2:00 PM on October 19, 1781, Cornwallis' forces marched down Hampton Road to this field and surrendered to American and French forces, ending the American Revolutionary War. (Although, fighting continued until the Treaty of Paris was signed in 1783.) Being at Surrender Field was very emotional. It gave me a greater appreciation for the sacrifices that were made to make the United States a free nation.
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| Slave clothing |
I look forward to translating much of what I encountered, into meaningful experiences for the students.
God Bless…
Matthew 7:7-8
Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
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