Let's Make History!
A Program for Young Historians
Document-based research—fun? This lively program with author/historian Anita Sanchez invites kids to participate in making history. Tombstones, journals, maps, and actual documents prove that history is never dull.
Anita Sanchez is a professional educator with more than thirty years of experience in providing classes and hands-on, participatory programs to a wide range of audiences. She has presented classes in schools in New England and New York State, and given workshops at the American Museum of Natural History, Colonial Williamsburg, Harvard Natural History Museum, the New York State Museum, and many other libraries, bookstores, museums, and classrooms.
Words from the Past
How do we know what happened long ago? After the last person dies who was there, how can we recreate history?
This program, suitable for students in grades 3-7, explores document-based research, using primary sources. Drawing on her years of research for The Invasion of Sandy Bay, a historical novel set during the War of 1812, Anita invites the students to participate in making decisions on which sources of history are the most reliable. Newspapers? Books? Internet?
Students discuss the use of historic journals, and use maps and a globe, consider tombstones and artifacts, and view actual documents, including the journal of a soldier in the trenches during World War I. Hands-on activities and intriguing props keep students engaged, making decisions and solving problems.
Contact Information
anasanchezh@aol.com
518-842-9305
Fees
$80 per classroom visit (45 min.)
A fee for travel expenses may be added outside the NYS Capital Region.
Optional: The Invasion of Sandy Bay may be purchased from the publisher for approximately $10 per book (hardcover).
The program is best suited to single classrooms, but may be modified for larger groups.
“The presentation actively involved the kids…they had to think!”
--Community Librarian
“Anita has a wonderful rapport with the students…they feel comfortable asking questions. Her presentation is lively and involving…no yawns!”
--Second grade teacher
“Writing doesn’t have to be as bad as homework.” --Fifth grader
The objective of the program is to:
--Familiarize students with the use of primary sources, including maps, journals, letters, and other documents.
--Explore and discuss the process of transforming research into historical fiction.
--Excite students about making history come alive!
