[Genealib] local history curriculum in elementary schools

[Kay M. Weiss]

Hello!

In our community (Burlington, Iowa) there were very successful 
"architectural detail hunts" for a number of years.  (Some were even 
printed in the local newspaper.)  Photos of the ears of corn, tomahawks, 
lions, and other interesting designs that appear on downtown buildings were 
taken by library staff members each year and printed with instructions to 
locate the items pictured.  Successfully completed sheets were entered into 
a drawing for small prizes.  This was an event that interested both 
students and their parents.

At one time we also had a "kids' walking tour" brochure that featured the 
Blackhawk bas relief, the medallion that pictures a young Civil War 
soldier, and, of course, the lion heads along with other artifacts.  We 
have found that encouraging young people (who are so often transported by a 
vehicle) to really see the buildings around them helps build an interest in 
the local history of our community and the folks who created it.

Good luck with your project!

Kay Weiss
Burlington (Iowa) Public Library
210 Court Street
Burlington, Iowa  52601

At 01:06 PM 2/7/2007 -0500, you wrote:
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>A requirement of the state curriculum in Ohio is that all 3rd grade 
>students in public schools learn about local history.  Based on the 3rd 
>graders who come to our library and the assignments (urban renewal?!) they 
>are given, it is clear to us that the teachers in our community might 
>benefit from some communication from us regarding local history resources 
>available at our library, as well as other institutions in the 
>community.  We are event thinking that we might suggest topics that would 
>be appropriate and interesting for young children.
>
>
>
>Has anyone prepared a pathfinder or guide for teachers regarding local 
>history resources, or collaborated in any way to make this requirement 
>interesting and valuable for everyone?  Suggestions are welcomed!
>
>
>
>Judy James
>
>Division Manager - Special Collections
>
>Akron-Summit County Public Library
>
>330-643-9041
>
><mailto:jjames at akronlibrary.org>jjames at akronlibrary.org
>
>
>
>To subscribe to Past Pursuits, our quarterly local history and genealogy 
>newsletter, email us at 
><mailto:speccollections at akronlibrary.org>speccollections at akronlibrary.org
>
>
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