[Genealib] local history curriculum in elementary schools

[Schille at aol.com]

Just this past Fall, I worked with two school groups on this very Ohio  
history project (here in Columbus, Ohio).  We had a group of 3rd Graders  and a 
group of 7th-8th graders.  About 60 kids in all.
 
The Social Studies curriculum advisor for Columbus Public Schools, a  
representative from the Ohio Historical Society, and the teachers got  together with 
three of us (librarians) before hand, and they gave us the  topic the classes 
had chosen.  They chose to  work on the history of an early, 20th century 
African American  neighborhood here in Columbus during the period of the Great 
Migration  (1900-1950).
 
We, the librarians, gleaned and culled together as many sources as we could  
gather (primary and secondary): books, newspaper articles, census, city  
directories, Sanborn Fire Insurance maps, period photographs, ephemera, artwork,  
etc.  Then, the kids came for two separate library visits: one where they  
chose the sources they wanted to use among the lot of what we had gathered (each  
kid chose four sources); and the second visit was concerned with instructing  
them on compiling and formatting a bibliography.  (This more advance  tutoring 
was primarily for the junior high set).
 
It was a truly enjoyable experience for all concerned, and I hope/plan to  
make this an annual project.  ...In fact, another Columbus Junior High  school 
group, which is working on Ohio Civil War history, will be coming in for  
source consultation.  I suggested that they use our resources in the  Genealogy, 
History and Travel collection at Columbus Metropolitan Library.   We have a 
great collection of Civil War enlistment records, regimental  histories, as well 
as records and photos from the Civil War prison camp which  was situated here 
in Columbus.  I think, at least for the junior high age  kids,...this would be 
within their grasp.
 
I completely agree with you that there should be more dialogue between the  
schools and the library as to how to make this a more enriching experience for  
the kids, and at the same time help us (librarians) to serve their needs more 
 completely.  I'm excited about introducing the kids to the library's  
holdings.  We might even just "hook" them into becoming reference  collection users. 
<GRIN>
 
Hope this helps somewhat.  If you want to discuss this further, please  email 
me off list.
 
 
Andy Miller, Librarian II (Local History Specialist)
Genealogy, History and Travel Division
Columbus Metropolitan Library
96 S. Grant Avenue
Columbus, Ohio  43215
(614)-645-2275
_amiller at columbuslibrary.org_ (mailto:amiller at columbuslibrary.org)  
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