Reporting History

Upper Elementary Group Visit Experience

Designed for Upper-Elementary level students, particularly fourth and fifth grades.

Reservations Required. Call 716-884-0095.

Summary

This program is designed to provide a rich and varied experience for students, which will involve learning about the people, culture, ideas, and events of 1901 from primary sources and a knowledgeable site interpreter during a tour of key historic site rooms and galleries, as well as through role play, group discussion, multi-sensory observation, writing, drawing, and creative hands-on activities.

Students place themselves in the role of reporters in Buffalo on the day of Theodore Roosevelt's 1901 inauguration as President, observing and taking notes. As a post-visit exercise, the class can make a newspaper of their visit, telling the story of TR's ascent to the Presidency.

Key Objectives

Students will:

· Engage in a fun, active, first-hand experience with artifacts and primary historical sources.

· Hone observational and recording skills as they take notes on the sights, sounds, and events of the day.

· Deepen understanding of the role of newspaper reporting in 1901 and explore the role of all media in keeping citizens informed today.

· Imagine the reaction of the country to McKinley’s assassination and imagine Roosevelt’s thoughts and feelings on the day of the inauguration.

· Compare the 1901 inauguration to a typical presidential inauguration.

· Gain familiarity with key issues confronting Theodore Roosevelt and the country as he took office in 1901, namely:

  • industrialization, working conditions, child labor, and urban poverty
  • competing views on economics
  • the expansion of U.S. involvement abroad
  • conservation of rapidly dwindling resources

· Consider differing viewpoints on these issues and evaluate which viewpoint is closest to their own.

· Learn the ways in which Roosevelt’s inauguration and some of his efforts as president marked a turning point in history.

Recommended Pre-visit activities

Recommended post-visit activities

New York State Curriculum Links

 
New York State Council on the Arts

THIS PROGRAM IS MADE POSSIBLE WITH PUBLIC FUNDS FROM THE NEW YORK STATE COUNCIL ON THE ARTS, A STATE AGENCY.

Last updated: February 26, 2015

Park footer

Contact Info

Mailing Address:

Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural Site
641 Delaware Avenue

Buffalo, NY 14202

Phone:

716 884-0095

Contact Us