There are three experiences that I vividly remember, while I was in elementary school. The first was a field trip to the John Sutter Mill. Which was the sight where gold was discovered in 1848. This was an exciting trip because we were able to see the place in person about which we have been talking in class. As we were there at the mill we talked about how the effects of the gold rush influenced California. The influx of people raised the population and California was admitted into the union as a state in 1850. Even the NFL team got its name from the 1849 Gold Rush (San Fransisco 49ers). We even got the chance to pan for gold in the river and learn of some of the hardships of mining and Frontier life.
Another experience was a field trip to Yosemite in sixth grade. We camped for two nights. On the first night we acted as characters in a reenactment of a period camp. I was Josiah Whitney and it was exciting to learn about him and what he actually did. (I remember telling everyone he did something with National Geographic, when we was really a Geologist. But hey I really liked the magazine.)
Another experience, although not as illustrious as the first two was in my Junior history class. Every day without fail I would come in and write down the notes of the days lecture on the board. As the teacher began his lecture, which followed the written plan exactly I would fall asleep within 15 minutes. One day we were going to watch a movie and he told the class (me) not to fall asleep. So naturally I fell asleep and when the movie was over he woke me up and gave me a quiz on the movie. "What is the name of the German Senate?" Reichstag was my answer (which was right) "What was the name of Hiltler's first secret police?" The Brown Shirts/SA I told him. The last question was "What was the name of Hitler's second secret police?" The Black Shirts/SS. All three questions I had gotten right so the teacher just got up and walked away without saying anything. But I felt pretty impressed with myself. That was the moment that I realized how well I had always done in my history classes and that it was something that I really liked to do.
I know the field trips really helped me to see history as something more than what is read in the book. Yeah we got to see some cool stuff but for me I was able to see how particularly unrelated events were connected and influenced something, somewhere somehow. The subject I guess you can say "came alive" with each of the field trips I went on in the 4, 5, and 6 grade.
I know these experiences will influence how I teach history. Because I see these connections I want to try to get my students to see them as well. Dates, people and places will still be important but my experiences of classes on both sides of the spectrum will be a catalyst in the methods I employ for teaching. Using technology, even if it is clips from YouTube are a possible way to get students excited about the past.
