Here we are at the Fleur de Lys and Tomahawks course at Fort Ticonderoga, NY. We arrived on Sunday and met at the Super 8 Motel where we donned our French and Indian War Commerative Commission T-shirts and then headed up to the fort. We were to be there for the dedication of the new Deborah Clarke Mars Education Center at Fort Ticonderoga. The ceremony was brief but well attended. The French ambassador to the US and the NY Representative, Carolyn Maloney, were in attendance as were representatives of the Pell family. By all accounts it was a lovely ceremony and it was great to finally see the new addition to the fort open to the public.
The rest of Sunday was spent at the Country Club Restaurant where we got to know one another and at the Super 8 where we received an overview of the course and the French and Indian War. By 10.30, it was time to end the day and get ready for Monday.
More updates to follow.
Pete
Monday, July 7, 2008
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Living History Showcase
This past weekend the Living History Education Foundation sponsored a course for teachers that focused on Fort Montgomery. This course was designed to show teachers what they could possibly do with their classes on a day trip, or even an overnight trip, to Fort Montgomery.
The class began Saturday morning with the group of teachers setting up a company street for the tents and getting into period dress(we don't wear "costumes" in Living History). Once this was done we talked a little about setting up a program and what it takes to do that. We heard from teachers who have "been in the trenches" for a while and exchanged ideas about what to do and how to do it. After a bit of that, we were treated to a 2 hour showcase of students in various Living History programs from area schools.
The showcase was, perhaps,on the worst possible day given the intense heat, but the kids were absolute troopers! They did not let the heat get them down and they were impressive in their marching, music playing and excitement for our history. A great deal of gratitude goes out to the teachers and parents who made this all possible.
As a re-enactor and teacher, it was very encouraging to see these young people so dedicated and passionate about what they were doing. I truly believe that if we continue on supporting the Foundation and our students, that the sky is the limit. These kids showed us on Saturday what was possible if we just try.
Before I close, I would be remiss if I did not thank Grant Miller and his staff at Fort Montgomery for their continued professional support of the Foundation. I know that sometimes we make you nuts Grant, but we really do appreciate all of your hard work and that of your wonderful staff! Additionally, we should also thank the members of the 5th NY Regiment who were in attendance on Saturday to support the showcase. You all looked great and made it so look effortless.
Finally, a big thank you to everyone who attended the showcase and especially to the kids who had to wear those hot uniforms. You were all terrific!
Pete
The class began Saturday morning with the group of teachers setting up a company street for the tents and getting into period dress(we don't wear "costumes" in Living History). Once this was done we talked a little about setting up a program and what it takes to do that. We heard from teachers who have "been in the trenches" for a while and exchanged ideas about what to do and how to do it. After a bit of that, we were treated to a 2 hour showcase of students in various Living History programs from area schools.
The showcase was, perhaps,on the worst possible day given the intense heat, but the kids were absolute troopers! They did not let the heat get them down and they were impressive in their marching, music playing and excitement for our history. A great deal of gratitude goes out to the teachers and parents who made this all possible.
As a re-enactor and teacher, it was very encouraging to see these young people so dedicated and passionate about what they were doing. I truly believe that if we continue on supporting the Foundation and our students, that the sky is the limit. These kids showed us on Saturday what was possible if we just try.
Before I close, I would be remiss if I did not thank Grant Miller and his staff at Fort Montgomery for their continued professional support of the Foundation. I know that sometimes we make you nuts Grant, but we really do appreciate all of your hard work and that of your wonderful staff! Additionally, we should also thank the members of the 5th NY Regiment who were in attendance on Saturday to support the showcase. You all looked great and made it so look effortless.
Finally, a big thank you to everyone who attended the showcase and especially to the kids who had to wear those hot uniforms. You were all terrific!
Pete
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Summer Courses
Well, it is that time again. We, as educators, are beginning to look forward to the summer vacation and the freedom that comes with it. We are starting to think about where we are going to spend some off time and how great it will be to have those ten weeks off. Imagine camping out and getting back to nature for a little while or going for a swim in the cool, refreshing waters of Lake George. Yeah, I can't wait either.
Before we start to think about camping or going to Disney, let's think about taking a couple of classes and getting those credits up. Let's think about taking some Living History Education Foundation courses and let's think about brining our American history to our students in the fall in new and exciting ways that will guarantee they remember what they've been taught. Let's think about bringing history alive to our students and let's light a fire in them so that they visit Disney, but also want to visit Mount Vernon, Gettysburg and Saratoga. Let's think about making our classrooms place where they want to come and learn every day and not one they dread because "it's sooooo boooring." Let's make history fun again.
Let's think about looking at the LHEF web site at www.livinghistoryed.org and think about taking some of our courses this spring and summer. These courses are a great way to not only increase our credits, but they are a great way to help our students benefit from our experiences in the courses. Let's think about bringing our knowledge back to the classroom and putting our history into the hands of our students.
Don't you want to be a part of this exciting way to teach history to our students? Of course you do! Visit the Foundation Classes page on our site and consider taking a couple of courses with us. You won't regret it. I promise.
I hope to see you out on the trail this summer,
Pete
Before we start to think about camping or going to Disney, let's think about taking a couple of classes and getting those credits up. Let's think about taking some Living History Education Foundation courses and let's think about brining our American history to our students in the fall in new and exciting ways that will guarantee they remember what they've been taught. Let's think about bringing history alive to our students and let's light a fire in them so that they visit Disney, but also want to visit Mount Vernon, Gettysburg and Saratoga. Let's think about making our classrooms place where they want to come and learn every day and not one they dread because "it's sooooo boooring." Let's make history fun again.
Let's think about looking at the LHEF web site at www.livinghistoryed.org and think about taking some of our courses this spring and summer. These courses are a great way to not only increase our credits, but they are a great way to help our students benefit from our experiences in the courses. Let's think about bringing our knowledge back to the classroom and putting our history into the hands of our students.
Don't you want to be a part of this exciting way to teach history to our students? Of course you do! Visit the Foundation Classes page on our site and consider taking a couple of courses with us. You won't regret it. I promise.
I hope to see you out on the trail this summer,
Pete
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