Re: Living Redcoats

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Comments:
: : : : : : >>British Redcoats never ever made a war cry like they do in the ambush scene.

: : : : : : Hmmm.. I had thought that the actual sounds British redcoats made while at war during the 18th century might have gone the way of Latin.  I hadn't realized that the skills in creating the right sound had been handed down from historian to historian through the last 2.5 centuries, preserved just as the skills in creating thatched roofs has been coddled and preserved, so that now Historians would be better at training soldiers than Soldiers.  Intersting concept (can you see it?? Historians in their brown sweater vests, wrinkled shirts, sandels, and broken glasses teaching a corps of men how to be 18thC soldiers?? hahahaha).

: : : : : : You're reaching, Ben.

: : : : : : What's your point?

: : : : : : Cheers,
: : : : : : Sarah M.

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: : : : : Well said, Sarah.  This may sound trivial compared to presenting a film but our fifth graders have presented a "colonial village" at our school for other schools, city officials, and other guests.  After much research for their particular "personas", whether it be apothacary, general store, carpentry, candle making, whatever, they took on these roles and did a damn good job of being 18th century colonials.  Now, as reference to the militia, well, I was put in charge of over seeing them.  Do you think I knew anything about teaching marching drill, preparing the piece to load, loading, and firing the cannon.  Of course not.  Do you think the social studies teachers had a clue as to what to do when it came to this.  Well, NO!  Do you think the band director was put in charge of the drum cadence?  Uh uh.  So,you ask, what did we do?  Well, we had volunteers from tne National Guard to come and work with these boys for weeks on end.  And at the day of "showtime", I must say they were most impressive.  Thanks to the "Soldiers" and not the "Historians" these kids learned how to be militia men.

: : : : : Theresa
: : : : : ~~~~~~~~~~~~

: : : : Theresa,

: : : : If I had kids, I'd so much rather have them being tutored by a "historian" teaching them history instead of of a "soldier" teaching them how to be "militia men"

: : : : Ilse

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: : : Hi Ilse,

: : : The teachers did teach these kids the history of the period.  But, when it came to knowing the details of the role of the militia, then who better to learn from than those who know.  They learned about the cannon itself, the part of the rammer, wormer, the linstock.  They learned about the shot and powder.  They learned the drill commands to call out.  It was strickly a "hands-on" learning experience.  

: : : Someone told my son before he went off the college to not let the books get in the way of his education.  I thought that was good advice.

: : : By the way, we also had a tavern in our village.  

: : : Theresa
: : : ~~~~~~~~~~~~

: : Oh okay!

: : In that case I think I misread your post a bit. It was sorta late, hehe.

: : The way I read it you seemed to imply that the teachers were somewhat incompetent for not being able to teach this militia stuff. I found it a bit odd to expect it from them in the first place. It looks like we agree on that :) Must remind myself not to post after hanging out in Dutch taverns all evening...

: : Ilse

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: Hi Ilse,

: Not to worry.  We had other volunteers to come in to work with these students...candlemakers, weavers, caligraphers, quilters, basketweavers, potters, and others.  These wonderful people gave of their time to help bring this project off and we couln't have done it without them, believe me.  We left the "book learning" to the teachers and the "hands-on learning" to those who know how.  It was great fun but a lot of work.

: Oh, and should I ever make over to the land of tulips, would you show me around some of those Dutch taverns?

: Theresa
: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~


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