No Child Left Behind holds schools accountable in math and English and
but does not do so in history and social studies. There is no accountability in these subjects, short-changing the teaching of history
and social studies.
We believe that
nonprofits such as ours must step up and and help raise the bar and support the teaching of history and social studies.
We hope to provide that support.
As as first step, we are developing student-oriented material that fits with the class curriculum and meets State Standards.
For
the next year, we offer our support to K-1 through 3rd grade students.
A series of coloring pages and read-aloud stores has been developed for
kindergardener and first graders and a mini-book series,
"Miss Harvey Remembers" has been prepared for 2nd - 4th graders.
This
material will introduce the House before the visit and integrate the
House into the Class curriculum, providing a more meaningful visit.
The narratives are intended for kindergardeners and first-graders and are accompanied by coloring pages. One of these coloring pages, for the narrative "A Terrible Sight met Our Eyes" is shown to the right; the page was sketched by Ms. Bridgett Spicer, and the narrative was written by Ms Judy Dreuding. It was derived from original documents, the memoirs and short stories of Josephine Harvey Swinnereton (Eleanor Josephine Harvey, Memories of Spanish Ranch, 1853. UCB Bancroft BMSS 73/122 c:124) and from real life experiences growing up at Spanish Ranch.
The narrative and coloring page are available for purchase with proceeds returning to the education program to offset costs associated with printing and with the educational program.
The first chapter of "Miss Harvey Remembers" is complete, written by Judy Dreuding and illustrated by Bridgett Spicer, and is available for purchase or is free for students who visit the House.
In this mini-book series teacher Josephine Harvey recalls events in the history of Salinas, and does so by utilizing the artifacts on display at the House.
As with the short narratives and coloring pages, the lesson does not end with reading the book in class but, extends to the House where orignal artfacts and activities will engage the student and give the program a deeper meaning.
