I love all these embodied learning ideas! I used to teach early US history and it was always so fun. We always enjoyed reading poetry as part of our studies.
I memorized the Midnight Ride etc in highschool. I muttered it at Paul Revere's grave and around Boston (too many people for a belted recitation)
Love the idea of signing our own declaration! If you get on YouTube, there is Ron White's memory athlete and he has great tips for memorizing the bill of rights, which we did. We're memorizing the preamble to the constitution now. The Declaration is awfully unwieldy to memorize any part of.
That's so neat that you said the poem in Boston. We memorized a few other things, too, including some bits of the Declaration. I actually find the Bill of Rights a bit duller! Kudos to you for getting the whole thing.
You have listed a couple of books that I haven't read yet - I'm looking forward to checking them out. I love reading about the Colonial era.
For older kids, one series that I have loved so far is the John Treegate series. I've only read two so far, but they've been excellent. Note, probably not for younger kids (if I'm remembering correctly).
An interesting read, because it is from a Loyalist perspective, is G. A. Henty's "True to the Old Flag."
"Mr. Revere and I" is a great concept for a book. It conveys the sacrificial nature of Revere's service--rarely able to eat a full meal without interruption, called to service again--and the critical role his numerous rides played in organizing the patriots. I had not been aware of the long buildup to the Boston Tea Party, with the ships kept in harbor unable to unload or to leave. And while I'd long heard of the "Midnight Ride" I'd not heard of the even more harrowing winter race to Portsmouth to warn the sons of liberty there of the imminent British raid, arriving with less than an hour to spare before Gage's dispatched forces arrived to reinforce the fort! The conversion of the horse from a loyal royalist to a determined, freedom loving patriot is also rather fun.
It really is a shame that the book's humor largely relies on infantilizing the British (including an officer whose stutter is the recurring "joke"). It undermines the gravity of everything else going on! The humor around Sam Adams's depiction is both funnier and (perhaps) more warranted.
A friend visited Paul Revere house and sent me the poem in a special binding. I always enjoy it, (along with the Emerson). Its the galloping meter, a poem you really feel.
That's terrible! I'm realizing more and more how many "educational" materials do this, debunk something that the kids haven't even experienced yet. How disorienting.
This was so fun! I love how you unpacked the power of poetry. And yes, while I love what he has to say, Madison is not read-aloud material.
Excellent commentary on the symbiotic relationship between history and poetry. Thank you; really enjoyed this!
I love all these embodied learning ideas! I used to teach early US history and it was always so fun. We always enjoyed reading poetry as part of our studies.
This is fantastic. Much admiration for teaching this topic. But also, in such a well-rounded way. And so fun!
When everyone's excited, it's easy to make it fun!
Excellent post!
I memorized the Midnight Ride etc in highschool. I muttered it at Paul Revere's grave and around Boston (too many people for a belted recitation)
Love the idea of signing our own declaration! If you get on YouTube, there is Ron White's memory athlete and he has great tips for memorizing the bill of rights, which we did. We're memorizing the preamble to the constitution now. The Declaration is awfully unwieldy to memorize any part of.
That's so neat that you said the poem in Boston. We memorized a few other things, too, including some bits of the Declaration. I actually find the Bill of Rights a bit duller! Kudos to you for getting the whole thing.
Love this post! So much good stuff!
You have listed a couple of books that I haven't read yet - I'm looking forward to checking them out. I love reading about the Colonial era.
For older kids, one series that I have loved so far is the John Treegate series. I've only read two so far, but they've been excellent. Note, probably not for younger kids (if I'm remembering correctly).
An interesting read, because it is from a Loyalist perspective, is G. A. Henty's "True to the Old Flag."
Looking forward to the booklist on May 5th! :)
The books you mention are new to me. I will have to check them out!
Johnny Tremain is a classic children's book set on Boston at the eve of the Revolution. Paul Revere is an important secondary character.
I forgot that Paul Revere shows up in that book, but of course with the silversmithing it makes sense.
We watched Johnny Tremain movie in school, thanks for reminding me. I think it was by Disney, but not cartoon.
"Mr. Revere and I" is a great concept for a book. It conveys the sacrificial nature of Revere's service--rarely able to eat a full meal without interruption, called to service again--and the critical role his numerous rides played in organizing the patriots. I had not been aware of the long buildup to the Boston Tea Party, with the ships kept in harbor unable to unload or to leave. And while I'd long heard of the "Midnight Ride" I'd not heard of the even more harrowing winter race to Portsmouth to warn the sons of liberty there of the imminent British raid, arriving with less than an hour to spare before Gage's dispatched forces arrived to reinforce the fort! The conversion of the horse from a loyal royalist to a determined, freedom loving patriot is also rather fun.
It really is a shame that the book's humor largely relies on infantilizing the British (including an officer whose stutter is the recurring "joke"). It undermines the gravity of everything else going on! The humor around Sam Adams's depiction is both funnier and (perhaps) more warranted.
A friend visited Paul Revere house and sent me the poem in a special binding. I always enjoy it, (along with the Emerson). Its the galloping meter, a poem you really feel.
That is so neat! Galloping is the perfect word here. You really feel like you're riding with Paul Revere.
When I was in elementary school, they showed us a film debunking the poem, but they never had us read the poem.
That's terrible! I'm realizing more and more how many "educational" materials do this, debunk something that the kids haven't even experienced yet. How disorienting.
🤦♂️