Children learning to drill like the soldiers did.
Revised Educational Program begins November 2009 at Morristown NHP
Reservations by e-mail 9:00 a.m. September 15, 2009
Location: Jockey Hollow Unit of Morristown NHP (This program does NOT include the Washington’s Headquarters unit)
Who: Elementary school classes studying the American Revolution, 4th and 5thgrade
When: Tuesdays thru Friday beginning November 19, 2009 thru May 28, 2010 (availability dependent on park staffing)
Length of program: Two hours minimum, beginning at 10:00 a.m.
One to two classes per program—NO MORE THAN FIFTY TOTAL STUDENTS
If there are two classes or more than twenty five students, the group will be divided and alternate with the other group. (That is, one group/class will participate in the Visitor Center portion of the program while the other group/class will participate in the Wick House portion—when each respective session is concluded, the groups will switch places.)
Outline/summary of the new program:
Visitor Center: Artifact Exploration
Ranger divides class into three small groups and gives each group a carrying case containing role cards of historic figures and a number of reproduction 18th century items that the historic figures would have used. Students read the role cards of their historic figures and examine the contents of their case. Then, each group will prepare a short presentation of their historic figure(s), their carrying case, and the items in it.
Wick House: Fact, Find, Figure Out
This is a Guided Discovery activity where the teacher will lead the students in an exploration of the Wick House, with written instructions previously provided. The students will be divided into groups, each is given a clipboard and a pencil with a “Fact, Find, Figure Out” sheet. Students move through the house until they complete their sheets. Students gather in the kitchen with the teacher to discuss their findings. The teacher facilitates a discussion about how the various spaces in the house were used at the time of the Encampment and who was using the various spaces. Students should provide evidence or the “clues” the led them to their conclusions. Students discuss the following questions: What were the changes that took place in Wick House because of the Encampment? How did these changes impact the lives of both the officers and civilians?
Summary
The two classes gather back in the Visitor Center to do a final wrap-up with the Ranger
MAJOR CHANGES IN THE PROGRAM: A school can bring as many as FIFTY STUDENTS per visit—these students would be divided in half for the purposes of the program. Fifty students would be the maximum amount of students allowed in any given visit, and would require eight adult supervisors, including teachers.
Though the ranger will provide a worksheet for the students to do and there will be a staff person in the building, the Wick House portion of the program will be primarily directed and supervised by the teachers and adult supervisors.
Reservations requests are to be made by email only beginning on 9:00 a.m., September 15, 2009. They must be e-mailed to thomas_winslow@nps.gov. Requests for reservations sent before that time will not be accepted. Your e-mail must include the following.
1. Teacher name.
2. School name and address
3. e-mail and telephone numbers (day and evening) where you can be reached; your class’ grade and the number of students in the class.
4. Your 1st, 2nd, and 3rd choices for dates.
If you have any questions, please contact Park Ranger/Education Specialist Thomas Winslow, Morristown National Historical Park 30 Washington Place, Morristown NJ 973 285 0126 thomas_winslow@nps.gov
The curriculum-based educational program at Morristown National Historical Park: From Farming Village to Log Hut City: Morristown During the American Revolution 1770-1780.
Through a cooperative effort National Park Service staff, New Jersey teachers, and other educational professionals have created a teacher’s guide for Morristown National Historical Park.
The guide, From Farming Village to Log Hut City: Morristown during the American Revolution 1779-1780, was funded by the National Park Service Parks-as-Classrooms program with support from the Washington Association of New Jersey. This educational experience relates directly to state of New Jersey core curriculum standards.
The curriculum-based educational program is available to 4th and 5th grade classes and focuses on the winter encampments of the Continental Army at Morristown and the effect they had on both soldiers and the local population. The program helps children understand the American Revolution’s impact on all facets of society and helps illustrate the great costs, personal hardships, and organizational obstacles associated with building and sustaining an army and winning American independence.
Cancellation Policy: Because a number of schools have canceled at the last minute in past years, we will be enforcing our cancellation policy. In order to receive a refund of your fee, cancellations must be made three weeks prior to your scheduled program. Classes that cancel less than three weeks before their scheduled date will not receive a refund. We will make every effort to reschedule any cancellations made by Morristown National Historical Park due to inclement weather, etc. and we will refund the fee paid by schools we are not able to reschedule.
Thank you for your assistance with these matters. We want to serve as many classes as possible in a fair and equitable manner.
