The Early Bird: Getting Students Excited About History Early

by: Susan Voskuil

Recently, I was talking to a history teacher from an area High School who explained to me that students’ knowledge about history is a spiral. If something (or someone) doesn't excite them about the topic at an elementary level they won't understand its importance at a High School level- and beyond. Luckily, far from finding this a daunting task, staff at the museum considers it a privilege.

One of the greatest challenges I have faced in museum education is conveying my own enthusiasm about a subject into a meaningful program for students and visitors. In my personal experience, I’ve often found that my energy level at a historic site or program is usually unparalleled by those I am with- it’s why I’m in this profession! When a sister or other family member agrees to go on a historic excursion with me, typically the trip ends with me exclaiming something like, “You're the one who couldn't pick out the Watergate building in the DC skyline and I'M the crazy one?!” Sometimes it takes a couple edits to tune this zeal into something really tangible. From the way objects are displayed in exhibits to the inflection used in presentations, everything in the museum is designed with the visitors experience in mind.

 

In conversations with family or friends about a topic you’re passionate about a certain degree of clarity can be sacrificed with enthusiasm. This is not the case during a museum program or demonstration. Typically, we’re given one shot at making an impression and getting our information absorbed. This is where the importance of follow-up evaluations and visits come in. With schools, we encourage teachers to return with their students the following year, or have someone from the museum come to the school, in order to complement the material students already learned. Usually we find in subsequent visits that part of the material has been retained, but typically not all. How do you express to a child when their answer about the Civil War includes George Washington fighting the Germans and Mexicans (see “Kids Say the Darndest Things” blogpost), that you’re simultaneously excited they retained knowledge about all those topics but also a little horrified?

 

Everyday we learn something new about how a subject is best learned and how we can best teach it. For the museum, our wildest dream includes seeing every area student (and parent!) come to the site for a program- and then come back to continue the experience. We, as a staff, are up to the challenge and look forward to the opportunity to shape our programs into the best museum experience possible!  

After 9 years of dedicated service, our wonderful Administrative Assistant Elaine Jackson is retiring in March. Thank you Elaine for all your hard work! Here, in her words, are a few of her favorite moments with the museum.

It’s really hard to believe that only nine years ago I came to work as the Admin Asst for the museum – February 16, 2005. Over the years, I’ve learned so much, both about the families that settled Dallas and Gaston County and the history of this great 1852 building. I’ve had some wonderful times here and made some outstanding memories that will always stay with me. Some include the front porch reconstruction a few years ago, the landscaping of the back gardens, the Depot renovation making it a usable space, the beautiful snow that’s falling right now outside my third floor office window, the gorgeous brides and lovely weddings that graced the back lawn over the past nine years; these are just for starters, but I don’t want folks to nod off! 

There were some really great exhibit opening parties, one even had Tom Watson’s cream-colored vintage Rolls Royce sitting on the museum’s back lawn. I’ll never forget the Orthopedic Hospital exhibit and reunion that brought back so many touching memories for the  folks who worked and lived there.  The visitors I’ve met from England, Australia, all over the US - even Dallas, Texas - who loved the fact this building was preserved and presented in such a historic manner. Keeping the museum’s progress going for many years to come so more can see all the museum is and is capable of becoming.  What really made the job so good was it didn’t seem like a job much of the time – I got to work with folks who made work a pleasure – and the most dedicated volunteers who gave the museum their time and talents – I will remember you and the fun we had.  Take care of each other – Elaine

Kids Say the Darndest Things!

 by Kelly Mason, Outreach Coordinator

Does anyone remember the TV show with Bill Cosby, “Kids Say the Darndest Things”? I absolutely loved that show! You truly never knew what the children were going to say and nothing was off limits! Working as a museum professional, I have found that, in a lot of ways, my job can turn into that show. Working in museums is so exciting, especially when you get to work in the education department. There are so many priceless moments that we educators get to experience with young inquisitive minds!

Broaching challenging topics can be both exhilarating and baffling for these students. For example, trying to explain to a 4^th grader what life was like without electricity or the concept of slavery can lead to some very interesting conversations.

As an educator, I have found that people do not give children enough credit; they are smarter than we think. The mind of a child is a wondrous place. Sometimes the things they say are so shocking- for better or worse. I have been reflecting on some of these moments over the past 5 years and here is my conclusion: kids say the darndest things!! One thing I am certain of, I have the best job in the world. I have the opportunity to try and help shape young minds and them up to a new world:  the history in which they come from. History is a foreign and scary place at times, but it is a beautiful thing to watch students try to embrace it!

May you enjoy my “Kids Say the Darndest Things” collection from the past 5 years!

(Deep sigh from a child) “Life is life.” (What a wise kid!)

Discussing life in North Carolina back in the 1800’s: “How could they even live without electricity? It makes no sense!”

“Butter comes from milk that you get from a cow? EWWW!” (Eww? I am almost positive all these kids eat butter in some form!)

“What do you mean cotton comes from a plant you grow in the ground? I thought it came from sheep!” (Speechless)

(After asking a class to explain what the American Civil War was, this was the first response I received) “The American Civil War was when George Washington fought against the Mexicans and the Germans.” (Where do I begin…)

During a 4^th grade program after discussing slavery: “Why would they make babies slaves? They did nothing wrong!” (I blew their minds even further when I told them that slaves were not slaves because they did something wrong, but because people forced them to be!)

“Who won the Civil War anyways, Miss Kelly?” (After I explained that the Union won, he seemed sad. Understandably so, his side lost right? I turned to the child and said, “You know something, if the Union did not win, then I would never have moved down here, [I am from Connecticut] and if I never moved down here, then I would have never met you!” He turned to me and said, “Phew, I am also glad the Confederates lost so we could be friends!” Priceless!!!)

With a very pensive expression: “Do you think something like the Civil War could ever happen again in America?” (Yikes! Let’s hope not!!)

When asking a child, who happened to be attending our Civil War Soldier Camp, which side he was going to fight on, he looked at me with confusion and asked, “Do you NOT know that the Union fought for justice and rights for everyone? Of course I am going to fight for the Federal Army!” (Silly me! We continued to have a deep 20 minute conversation about the war and a show he was watching on the history channel. Melts my heart just thinking about it!)

Last but not least, after attending an 8^th grade history class to do an outreach about the Civil War, I was asked by a student: “Did you live back during the Civil War?” (His teacher spoke up, “You did NOT just ask her that?!” While another student chuckled and said, “Um, she looks really good for her age if she did. Dude, she would be dead!” I smiled and said, ‘No sir, I did not.”) He responded, “Then how do you know ALL this stuff about the Civil War?” My response: “I read books.” J

Do you have a favorite kids story? We’d love to hear it here at the museum! Please leave a comment with any fun stories you may have!